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LAMAR v LUINE [2022] DIFC SCT 108 — Employment dispute regarding salary, gratuity, and equity entitlements (24 May 2022)
The dispute centered on the termination of an employment relationship between Lamar (the Claimant) and Luine (the Defendant), a company registered within the DIFC. Following his resignation on 24 February 2022, which the Claimant attributed to breaches of contract regarding unpaid salary and a lack…
Naadira v Navtej [2024] DIFC SCT 107 — Employment probation termination rights (16 August 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limitations of DIFC employment protections, confirming that the DIFC Employment Law provides no remedy for claims of unfair or arbitrary dismissal, even when termination occurs shortly before the conclusion of a probationary period.
Madesh v Muhura [2022] DIFC SCT 107 — Corporate veil and employment liability (14 June 2022)
The Claimant initiated proceedings against the Defendant, Muhura, seeking recovery for alleged unpaid employment benefits. The dispute centered on the assertion that despite the formal employment contract being held by a third-party entity, Milinas, the Claimant was effectively an employee of the…
THE LIUDEN LLC v LENNA [2020] DIFC SCT 107 — Breach of construction agreement and notice requirements (20 August 2020)
The litigation centered on a contractual disagreement arising from a renovation project for a private villa. The Liuden LLC, a construction firm, was engaged by Lenna to perform renovation works, which were subsequently expanded by the Defendant during the project's lifecycle.
NORMANDIE v NORVAL [2024] DIFC SCT 105 — Refusal of cross-applications for permission to appeal (12 July 2024)
The litigation centers on the Claimant’s failure to satisfy a prior judgment debt in a timely manner and the subsequent penalties imposed by the Small Claims Tribunal. The underlying dispute, often referred to as the "first claim," resulted in an award of approximately AED 163,000 to the Defendant…
Harlow v Hattie [2017] DIFC SCT 105 — Tenancy security deposit dispute (13 June 2017)
The dispute centered on the Defendant’s unilateral decision to withhold a portion of the Claimant’s security deposit following the conclusion of a tenancy agreement for a unit within the DIFC.
LAHAR v LAKSHIN RESTAURANT & BAR [2021] DIFC SCT 104 — Dismissal of appeal for procedural non-compliance (15 June 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the necessity of strict adherence to appellate procedural rules and the application of current legislation in employment disputes.
FIDELMA v FIRUZ [2014] DIFC SCT 102 — Employment termination and gratuity entitlements (23 February 2015)
The dispute arose following the summary termination of the Claimant, Fidelma, by her employer, Firuz, after approximately four months of service in a restaurant setting. The Claimant sought recovery of unpaid wages and statutory benefits, asserting that her dismissal was wrongful and that she…
Fidelma v Firuz [2014] DIFC SCT 102 — Employment termination and gratuity dispute (09 February 2015)
The dispute arose from the summary termination of the Claimant, Fidelma, by her employer, Firuz, a restaurant operator within the DIFC. Following approximately four months of service, the Claimant was terminated on 18 December 2014.
OANA v ONYX [2025] DIFC SCT 101 — Permission to appeal service charge dispute (14 August 2025)
The dispute centers on the Defendant’s (Onyx) refusal to pay service charges for a retail unit, which the Defendant justified by citing a breach of the underlying agreement. Specifically, Onyx contended that the sealing of an access door—which provided public access from Omega to Ozzy—rendered the…
Isaiah Trading v Imelia [2018] DIFC SCT 101 — jurisdictional limits of the Small Claims Tribunal (12 April 2018)
This judgment clarifies the strict application of jurisdictional gateways in the Small Claims Tribunal, confirming that the DIFC Courts cannot adjudicate disputes lacking any nexus to the Centre absent a clear, written opt-in agreement.
FIRAT v FIRUZ [2014] DIFC SCT 101 — Employment termination and gratuity entitlements (09 February 2015)
The dispute arose following the summary termination of the Claimant, Firat, who had been employed as restaurant staff by the Defendant, Firuz, for approximately four months. Upon her dismissal on 18 December 2014, the Claimant sought recovery of unpaid salary for November and December, along with…
Feriha v Fereydoon [2014] DIFC SCT 100 — The limits of cost recovery in the Small Claims Tribunal (30 April 2015)
The dispute originated from the Claimant’s role as the management entity for a building, tasked with collecting service charges from unit owners. The Defendant, a unit owner, had initially failed to pay service charges amounting to AED 49,890.98.
LATISH v LOVYA RESTAURANT & BAR [2021] DIFC SCT 099 — Employment claim dismissed for exceeding statutory limitation period (22 April 2021)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal confirms the strict application of the six-month limitation period under the DIFC Employment Law, barring a claim for disputed final settlement deductions filed over a year after termination.
Medimpact International v Dimensions Healthcare [2021] DIFC ARB 006: The Mechanics of Transparent Enforcement
How the DIFC Courts balanced confidentiality with the public interest in the recognition of international arbitral awards. On 3 March 2021, H.E.
Jaliah Bank v Jazlyn [2019] DIFC SCT 099 — Enforcement of credit agreements in the Small Claims Tribunal (02 April 2019)
The dispute concerned the recovery of outstanding balances arising from a 2016 financial agreement between Jaliah Bank (PJSC) and the Defendant, Jazlyn. The Claimant sought to recover funds disbursed under a personal loan and a credit card facility.
NYOKA v NUNZIO [2024] DIFC SCT 098 — Contractual liability for fit-out works and termination disputes (29 July 2024)
The dispute centers on a series of agreements—a Letter of Intent, a Bill of Quantities (BOQ), and a Fit-Out and Joinery Works Agreement—governing the interior fit-out of the Defendant’s restaurant located within the DIFC.
Ikrut v Islay Restaurant [2018] DIFC SCT 098 — Unlawful recruitment fee deductions and Article 18 penalties (12 April 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that statutory prohibitions against charging recruitment fees under the DIFC Employment Law override private contractual agreements, triggering mandatory late payment penalties.
Nadia v Neville [2024] DIFC SCT 097 — Enforceability of professional service fees for unused deliverables (13 June 2023)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding professional fees for legal services provided under an engagement letter. The Claimant sought to recover the total value of an invoice for work performed, which the Defendant acknowledged but refused to pay in full.
Muftan v Mekher [2023] DIFC SCT 094 — Finality of Consent Orders in employment disputes (03 April 2023)
This judgment reinforces the principle of res judicata within the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal, confirming that a Consent Order explicitly framed as a "full and final settlement" precludes subsequent litigation regarding the same employment relationship.
Laaibah v Lyre Restaurant [2021] DIFC SCT 094 — jurisdictional dismissal for lack of nexus (13 April 2021)
The dispute centered on a commercial disagreement regarding the payment of outstanding sums allegedly owed under an agreement executed by the parties on 14 November 2018. The Claimant, Laaibah, sought to recover AED 25,440 through the DIFC Courts’ Small Claims Tribunal, asserting that the…
MIKHA v MERAT [2023] DIFC SCT 093 — Consultancy non-performance and evidentiary failure (23 June 2023)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden for consultants seeking unpaid fees following termination for non-performance.
LALIT v LEYA [2021] DIFC SCT 093 — Employer’s failure to substantiate damages for breach of notice period (21 April 2021)
The dispute arose from an employment relationship between the Claimant, Lalit, and its former employee, the Defendant, Leya. Following the termination of the employment contract, the Claimant initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) alleging that the Defendant had breached his…
JACKSON MIDDLE EAST SCAFFOLDING CONTRACTING v JIA GROUP DMCC [2019] DIFC SCT 092 — Enforcement of unpaid scaffolding invoices via Small Claims Tribunal (25 March 2019)
The dispute centered on the recovery of unpaid invoices for scaffolding services provided by the Claimant, Jackson Middle East Scaffolding Contracting, to the Defendant, JIA Group DMCC.