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Halle v Hahn [2017] DIFC SCT 138 — Employment entitlement dispute and Article 18 penalty enforcement (09 July 2017)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s pursuit of unpaid wages and end-of-service benefits following the termination of her employment with the Defendant, who operated the DIFC branch of Harriet Lounge LLC.
Jabilo v Jedoun [2019] DIFC SCT 137 — A Small Claims Tribunal ruling on security deposit deductions (13 June 2019)
This Small Claims Tribunal judgment clarifies the evidentiary burden placed on landlords when justifying maintenance deductions from a tenant's security deposit at the end of a tenancy.
LORENZO v LILITH RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE [2022] DIFC SCT 136 — Employment status and payroll record-keeping obligations (31 May 2022)
The dispute centered on a series of unpaid employment entitlements following the termination of the Claimant’s tenure. The Claimant sought to recover a total of AED 55,040, encompassing salary arrears, annual leave compensation, public holiday pay, and an airfare allowance.
LEIGHTON v LANEYL HOUSE HOSPITALITY [2020] DIFC SCT 136 — Employment entitlements during Covid-19 (01 July 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that financial hardship caused by the global pandemic does not absolve a DIFC employer from its statutory and contractual obligations to pay end-of-service benefits.
Iapetus Rental v Ibby Ship Repairing [2018] DIFC SCT 136 — Enforcement of unpaid equipment rental invoices (11 June 2018)
The dispute arose from a series of equipment rental transactions initiated in August 2016. The Claimant, Iapetus Rental, alleged that the Defendant, Ibby Ship Repairing, failed to settle six invoices generated over the course of their business relationship.
LUHART v LIFAN [2022] DIFC SCT 135 — Dismissal of renewed application for permission to appeal (12 December 2022)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal confirms that accepting performance of a contract variation by conduct precludes a party from later disputing the associated costs, reinforcing the evidentiary burden required to challenge quantum on appeal.
MATAN v MUTHIL [2022] DIFC SCT 135 — Enforcing contractual obligations in the construction sector (10 August 2022)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal affirms the principle of privity of contract, ruling that a subcontractor’s right to payment cannot be defeated by a main contractor’s independent disputes with third-party project owners.
LORENZO v LELITH HOUSE HOSPITALITY [2020] DIFC SCT 134 — Jurisdiction over employment disputes involving DIFC-registered entities (18 May 2020)
The dispute concerned an employment claim filed by the Claimant, Lorenzo, against his former employer, Lelith House Hospitality, Dubai Design District - Lachlan Restaurant Ltd, for a total sum of AED 12,000.
JHUMU BANK v JAFAN [2019] DIFC SCT 134 — Enforcement of defaulted credit facilities (13 June 2019)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding balances arising from a dual-facility agreement entered into between Jhumu Bank (PJSC) and the defendant, Jafan. The claimant sought to recover funds totaling AED 414,109.74, which comprised the remaining balance of a personal loan and an…
ORPHIA v ORREL [2025] DIFC CFI 133 — Refusal of permission to appeal SCT judgment (08 September 2025)
The litigation originated as an employment-related claim brought by Orphia against Orrel, which resulted in a comprehensive dismissal of the Claimant’s case and a successful counterclaim by the Defendant.
LASZLO v LAZUSI SOLUTIONS [2020] DIFC SCT 133 — Unsubstantiated salary reduction claims in employment disputes (28 July 2020)
The dispute concerned the termination of an employment relationship between the Claimant, Laszlo, and the Defendant, Lazusi Solutions Limited, which operated within the DIFC. The Claimant sought recovery of unpaid salary, payment in lieu of accrued annual leave, and end-of-service gratuity…
Genisis v Griame LLC [2016] DIFC SCT 131 — Employment dispute regarding unpaid salary and visa cancellation (16 November 2016)
The dispute originated when the Claimant, Genisis, filed a claim against Griame LLC for unpaid salary and the cancellation of her employment visa. The Defendant initially sought to avoid the jurisdiction of the DIFC Courts, arguing that the matter was not properly before the Small Claims Tribunal.
LEUFA v LUCAE PIPING COMPANY [2020] DIFC SCT 130 — Default judgment for unpaid equipment hire invoices (08 July 2020)
The dispute originated from a commercial equipment rental arrangement between Leufa LLC (the Claimant) and Lucae Piping Company WLL (the Defendant). The Claimant sought recovery of outstanding payments for the rental of a 40m lift provided to the Defendant’s site in Dubai between April and August…
MR HARVEY v MR HIDEKI [2016] DIFC SCT 129 — Validating opt-in jurisdiction for share purchase disputes (23 November 2017)
The dispute arose from a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) dated 19 September 2014, under which the Claimants agreed to sell their entire share capital in "Hayleigh Limited" to the Defendant and a third party.
LIBERTY v LANCE REAL ESTATE BROKER [2020] DIFC SCT 128 — Covid-19 frustration and deposit restitution (18 June 2020)
The dispute centered on the failed sale of a residential apartment located in the DIFC. The Claimant, Liberty, entered into a "Second Agreement" on 27 February 2020 to purchase the property from eight siblings (the Sellers).
LALITRAJ v LAJWATI RESTAURANT [2021] DIFC SCT 127 — Small Claims Tribunal employment dispute regarding unpaid wages and statutory entitlements (23 June 2021)
The Claimant, a former bartender, initiated proceedings against his employer, Lajwati Restaurant, following his resignation on 25 March 2021. The dispute centered on a series of unpaid financial obligations spanning his tenure from November 2019 to his final working day on 10 June 2021.
HAROLD v HAVA [2017] DIFC SCT 127 — jurisdictional limits of the Small Claims Tribunal (22 June 2017)
The dispute arose from a series of credit facilities provided by the Claimant, Harold PJSC, to the Defendant, Hava. The Claimant sought to recover outstanding debts totaling AED 292,776.73, comprising a personal loan and two separate credit card accounts.
NORMAND v NATHANIEL [2024] DIFC SCT 125 — Permission to appeal granted on privity of contract (24 September 2024)
Justice Rene Le Miere grants permission to appeal an SCT judgment, identifying potential errors in law regarding corporate personality and the enforcement of contractual debts by non-parties to a Concession Agreement.
NORMAND v NATHANIEL [2024] DIFC SCT 125 — Enforceability of settlement agreements and contractual privity (15 August 2024)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding concession fees arising from a travel and tourism office space occupied by the Defendant, Nathaniel, within a hotel property. The Claimant, Normand, asserted its right to these funds as the owner of the entity "Naeem," which had previously been…
MERTIN v MIKHA [2023] DIFC SCT 125 — Jurisdictional dismissal for lack of nexus (27 April 2023)
The dispute concerned a civil claim initiated by an individual based in the United Kingdom against a defendant residing in Dubai. The Claimant sought recovery of a relatively small sum, alleging that the Defendant owed him money.
NATALIE v NOLA [2024] DIFC SCT 124 — Enforceability of opt-in jurisdiction clauses in the absence of a territorial nexus (25 April 2024)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid professional fees arising from an engagement agreement. The Claimant, a corporate entity, sought to recover outstanding balances for services rendered to the Defendant, an individual. The total amount in controversy was AED 53,901.
Jemy v Jemon [2016] DIFC SCT 124 — Employment gratuity and leave entitlement dispute (09 November 2016)
The lawsuit originated from a disagreement over the final financial settlement due to the Claimant, a strength and conditioning coach, following his resignation from Jemon, a gym located within the DIFC.
NALANI v NIKHOLAI [2024] DIFC SCT 122 — Refusal of permission to appeal regarding lease termination rights (17 July 2024)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal confirms that consistent late payment of rent, even if eventually settled, triggers a landlord’s right to terminate under specific contractual provisions.
NALANI v NIKHOLAI AND NILES [2024] DIFC SCT 122 — Termination of commercial lease for persistent rent arrears (26 June 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms the landlord’s right to terminate a restaurant lease agreement following the tenant’s failure to adhere to strict payment timelines, resulting in an eviction order and a monetary judgment for outstanding rent.