Former Nakheel exec wins case

The former general counsel for Nakheel has won a Dh751,000 judgment against the developer.

David Nicholson, who left Nakheel at the beginning of the year, filed a case in April in the Dubai World Tribunal seeking his end-of-employment entitlements. Mr Nicholson had joined the company in Sept., 2006, part of a contingent of Australians hired during the tenure of chief executive Chris O'Donnell, who is also from Australia.

Mr O'Donnell, who left the company in June, also has a case in the Tribunal, seeking unpaid benefits worth $3.7 million (Dh13.5 million).

Mr Nicholson was repeatedly assured he would be paid the money owed, according to court documents. But after four months he still had not been received the entitlements.

At one point a company representative said money set aside for payroll had been "diverted for other payments" due to a clerical issue, according to a court filing by Mr Nicholson's attorney.

Mr Nicholson was later told he would not be paid until certain issues were resolved. Nakheel argued in a hearing last week that the company delayed paying Mr Nicholson's benefits while a review was conducted of his employment.

But a tribunal judge ruled that Mr Nicholson was entitled to his full benefits, plus interest.

Mr Nicholson's attorney and a Nakheel representative declined comment.