Dubai: UAE residents will find it easier to take employers to court following new rules by the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC).
The new ruling has raised the limit on employment cases that can be heard by the small claims tribunal — where lawyers are not required — to Dh200,000 from Dh100,000, meaning there is less risk of high court costs for relatively small disputes.
"I think it is very sensible because it will force a lot of employment claims into that arena," said Neil Crossley, a partner at DLA Piper in Dubai.
He said the new law meant employees with claims between Dh100,000 and Dh200,000 would no longer need to pay for lawyers to speak in the higher courts.
"It prevents an employer putting an employee under pressure for costs, and it stops an employer bullying an employee by forcing them to take [the matter] to court," he said.
"I don't think that employers should be concerned that more cases will go through the process, and it's quicker too because it doesn't involve lawyers arguing for hours and hours."
