DIFC Court Digest

About the Digest

The DIFC Court Digest is a practitioner-focused compilation of all significant decisions of the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts. It covers judgments and orders across the full range of DIFC jurisdiction, including commercial disputes, enforcement proceedings, arbitration-related applications, and regulatory matters.

The Digest is maintained and regularly updated by Sean Brannigan KC, who has deep experience in the DIFC Courts system and acts regularly in DIAC and DIFC-LCIA arbitrations. It is distributed to over 480 practitioners across the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

Each entry provides a concise summary of the decision, its significance, and the legal principles established or applied. The Digest is designed to be a practical, working reference for practitioners advising on DIFC matters or conducting litigation and arbitration in the region.

Inside the Current Edition

The 2025–2026 edition covers 48 substantive decisions across nine volumes: the DIFC Court of Appeal, Court of First Instance, Technology and Construction Division, Court of Arbitration, and Small Claims Tribunal, for the calendar years 2025 and 2026 (to 1 March 2026). The full digest, with structured summaries and hyperlinks to every judgment, is available to download below.

Volume I — Court of Appeal 2025

• Nael v Niamh Bank [2024] DIFC CA 015 — public policy exception to enforcement of an arbitral award; New York Convention; conflicting onshore UAE court judgment; DIFC Arbitration Law Art 44(1)(b)(ii).
• Korek Telecom Company LLC & Ors v Iraq Telecom Limited & Anor [2024] DIFC CA 016 — act of state doctrine in the DIFC; tortious conspiracy; Kirkpatrick exceptions; admissibility of unlawfully obtained investigative materials.
• Trafigura PTE Ltd & Anor v Prateek Gupta & Anor [2025] DIFC CA 001 — jurisdiction to grant a UAE-wide freezing order in support of foreign court proceedings; DIFC Courts Law 2025 Art 15(4).
• Oran & Oaken v Oved [CA 004/2025] — anti-suit injunction restraining English proceedings in support of DIFC-seated arbitration; standard of proof on seat; consumer contracts exception.

Volume II — Technology and Construction Division 2025

• Architeriors Interior Design (L.L.C) v Emirates National Investment Co (L.L.C) [2024] DIFC TCD 001 — oral pre-contractual variation and entire agreement clauses; settlement by Minutes of Meeting; extension of time; Emden formula.
• Al Zaabi v Al Buhaira National Insurance Company [2024] DIFC TCD 002 — marine insurance; International Yacht Clauses; consumer vs commercial insured; warranty breach; adverse inference from non-cooperation.

Volume III — Court of First Instance 2025

• Sam Precious Metals FZ-LLC & Ors v Snyder Prime Limited & Ors [2023] DIFC CFI 030 — MOU expressed "not legally binding"; subsequent performance as binding conduct; joint ventures.
• ICICI Bank Limited v Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty [2022] DIFC CFI 034 — personal guarantee enforcement; alleged signature-page forgery; forensic handwriting evidence.
• Vision Investment and Holdings Limited v Mahdi Amjad [2022] DIFC CFI 053 — personal guarantee under UAE law; requirement for explicit guarantee; extension to new or renewed debt.
• Alawwal Capital JSC v Rasmala Investment Bank Limited [2023] DIFC CFI 038 — misrepresentation in marketing of a Shariah-compliant trade finance fund; adverse inferences.
• Al Mheiri v El Araj & Cameron [2021] DIFC CFI 057 — guarantee and indemnity; limitation; UAE Civil Code Art 1092 and commercial suretyships.
• Dant Investment LLC v Olive Green Holding Ltd [2024] DIFC CFI 038 — aircraft asset purchase agreement; conditions precedent; construction of "Closing Date"; lawfulness of termination.
• AES Middle East Insurance Broker LLC & Ors v GSB Capital Ltd [2023] DIFC CFI 060 — non-solicitation covenants in DIFC employment contracts; misuse of confidential information.
• Mr Nancy v Narcissa DIFC [2023] DIFC CFI 098 — carried interest in a private equity context; implied employment contract after termination; Art 19(2) DIFC Employment Law penalty.
• Michael George Forbes v Robert Kidd [2023] DIFC CFI 081 — success fee for litigation support services; whether litigation support constitutes "legal services" under UAE law.
• Al Buhaira National Insurance Company v Arab War Risks Insurance Syndicate [2024] DIFC CFI 013 — reinsurance; proper law absent an express governing law clause; marine hull war risks.
• State Bank of India (DIFC Branch) v NMC Healthcare Ltd & Shetty [2020] DIFC CFI 047 — personal guarantee enforcement; signature authenticity; competing forensic handwriting evidence.
• Amitesh Gahlowt Amar Nath Singh v Coinvesting Capital Limited [2024] DIFC CFI 009 — fixed-term employment contracts; conversion to indefinite duration by conduct; salary waiver; DEWS contributions.
• Access Group DWC LLC & Anor v BLS International FZE [2023] DIFC CFI 091 — sub-contract construction; implied contracts from continued performance; non-compete clauses.
• Almutawa v Al Mutawa [2023] DIFC CFI 095 — share purchase agreement; unilateral mistake (DIFC Contract Law Art 37); affirmation by conduct; pre-judgment interest at EIBOR.
• Siraj Power Machinery and Equipment Leasing LLC v Al Tajir Glass Industries LLC & Anor [2024] DIFC CFI 070 — solar equipment leasing; default judgment; accelerated future rentals.

Volume IV — Court of Arbitration 2025

• Mirma v Mobal and Mobal v Mirma [ARB 004/2022 & ARB 005/2023] — permission to appeal an ICC award (~USD 75m); act of state; natural justice; public policy.
• Nashrah v Najem & Nex [ARB 005/2025] — anti-suit injunction restraining an English High Court stay application; Dubai Decree No. 34 of 2021; validity of DIFC-LCIA clause.
• Naidoo & Nofret v Nandini & Ors [ARB 011/2025] — application to restrain a DIAC evidentiary hearing; whether tribunal procedural orders are "awards".
• Nalani v Netty [ARB 027/2024] — enforcement of an LCIA partial award incorporating a peremptory order; Art 42 DIFC Arbitration Law; RDC 43.70.
• Olympio v Olwin [ARB 024/2025] — CJT registration and automatic stay under Dubai Decree No. 29 of 2024; worldwide freezing order; enforcement of a SIAC award.
• Mirifa v Mahur & Ors [ARB 009/2023] — cross-examination of a judgment debtor on asset disclosure; WFO disclosure deficiencies; alternative service.
• Oswin v Otila & Ondray [ARB 032/2025, 16 September 2025] — DIFC supervisory jurisdiction over DIAC arbitration; competing dispute resolution clauses; interim measures.
• Obert & Ona v Ondray [ARB 014/2025] — enforcement of a DIAC award; separability; scope of the tribunal's jurisdiction; public policy defence.
• Oswin v Otila & Ondray (No. 2) [ARB 032/2025, 21 October 2025] — anti-suit injunction restraining Abu Dhabi proceedings; res judicata effect of a prior jurisdictional ruling.
• Om v Ottilie [ARB 017/2025] — jurisdictional challenge to enforcement of a foreign arbitral award; conduit jurisdiction; forum non conveniens.

Volume V — Small Claims Tribunal 2025

• Naho v Neukirchi [SCT 415/2024] — amendment of employment contract commencement date; electronic signatures; DIFC Electronic Transactions Law.
• Oleta v Onesimo [SCT 454/2024] — training cost repayment clauses; employer's burden on quantum; "totally without merit"; visa cancellation obligations.
• Negrete v Nazli [SCT 459/2024] — summary dismissal; disclosure of internal investigation report and CCTV footage; fresh evidence on appeal.
• Nayan v Nandika [SCT 485/2024] — new evidence on SCT appeal; unilateral employer email purporting to reduce salary.
• Olive v Onyx [SCT 042/2025] — employer counterclaim for excess vacation; termination for cause two-stage test; written reasons under Art 64.
• Ormond v Oral [SCT 543/2025] — whether an employer can condition visa cancellation on signing a waiver of all claims; urgent without-notice applications.
• Omid v Orah [SCT 011/2025] — hire contract; customs duty liability; agent's authority; email as admission; without prejudice rule.
• Olia v Onawa [SCT 333/2025] — retaliatory dismissal; temporal proximity between SCT claim and dismissal; itemised pay statements.
• Olexa v Odon [SCT 295/2025] — Art 10 time-bar; release agreement construction; promissory estoppel; Good Leaver definitions.
• Obasi v Oreana [SCT 169/2025] — SCT appeal jurisdiction; appellate review of fact; real estate brokerage commission and "introduction".

Volume VI — Court of Appeal 2026

• LXT Real Estate v SIR Real Estate [CA 005/2025] — security for costs: two-stage test under RDC 25.102; appellate standard of review; third-party funding and PD 2/2017.

Volume VII — Court of First Instance 2026

• BAM Higgs & Hill LLC v Affan Innovative Structures LLC & Anor [2021] DIFC CFI 106 — Museum of the Future facade subcontract (AED 50m); valuation of variations; guarantees wrongly called; director's personal liability.
• Aptiva Technologies FZE v Liberty Steel Group Holdings (EMEA) Ltd [2024] DIFC CFI 076 — absent party's witness statements inadmissible; debt vs damages; penalty interest at 18% p.a.
• Omar Ben Hallam v Natixis [CFI 016/2025] — Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025: no general adverse-costs rule in CFI employment proceedings; no retrospective effect.
• Clyde & Co LLP v Union Properties PJSC & Anor [CFI 057/2025] — contra proferentem inapplicable where language is clear; permission-to-appeal standard; no implied terms where the contract is complete.

Volume VIII — Court of Arbitration 2026

• Oswin v Otila & Ondray [ARB 032/2025, 23 January 2026] — DIFC Court supervisory jurisdiction over a DIFC-seated arbitration cannot be ousted by contractual clause; DIFC Courts Law 2025 Arts 14–15; injunction upheld; indemnity costs.

Volume IX — Small Claims Tribunal 2026

• Okpara v Oralee [2025] DIFC SCT 514 — permission to appeal refused; outcome-determinative error test; Art 21 DIFC Courts Law No. 2 of 2025.