This session will provide a up to date overview of the key DIFC Employment Law topics to best navigate the employment lifecycle. We will take stock of employee statutory entitlements and provide case examples to help give a better understanding of the legal and commercial risks affecting DIFC-based employers. The session look at the court process involved where an employee files an employment law claim in the DIFC Courts and provide an overview of the procedure and rules
Speakers:
Ruth Stephen, Senior Associate - Pinsent Masons
Ruth is a UK qualified lawyer who has been advising companies in the UAE (and the wider GCC) on their employment-related matters since 2016.
Ruth advises clients working across different sectors in the Middle East and has extensive experience of compliance with the UAE’s Federal Labour Law, as well as advising on regulations in the free zones. Ruth’s experience and profile in the market was most recently acknowledged by the UAE Employment East Chambers and Partners 2022 awards as an “Associate to Watch.”
Ruth has developed a particular specialism advising clients on the DIFC's separate common law employment regime. Ruth assists employers tackle the various matters that employers face throughout the employment life-cycle to best protect and promote business operations. Ruth has assisted numerous employers to successfully defend claims in the DIFC Courts including, for example, discrimination and harassment, penalty payment, restrictive covenants, breach of contract.
Ruth contributes to many legal and HR magazines and legal recourses and routinely presents external speaking and training sessions.
Michael Chattle, Associate - Pinsent Masons
Michael is an UK qualified Associate in the team, working with clients in the UAE and across the Middle East region. Within the UAE he works regularly with DIFC based clients on a full range of employment law issues, including day-to-day advice (for example, employee relations, employment documentation, dismissals, breach of privacy/confidential information and restrictive covenants) and litigation in the DIFC courts.
Michael has developed a particular specialism regarding international project work. He regularly works as part of Pinsent Masons’ internal employment team that specialises in the co-ordination of international projects and developing an international network of ‘best friend’ firms.
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