The former chief executive of Nakheel today won a more than $3 million pay claim from The Palm islands developer.
Mr O'Donnell had claimed about US$3.7 million (Dh13.5m) in severance pay and other benefits from the developer of Dubai's palm islands.
Judge Anthony Evans made the award at the Dubai World Tribunal held at the DIFC Courts.
The Dh400,000-a-month Australian property executive left Nakheel last June after five years at the helm of the company. But he claimed he was still due millions of dollars in bonus payments and other entitlements in a high profile case filed with the Dubai World Tribunal.
After the hearing, Mr O'Donnell said: "I am very pleased to have had the matter resolved and my claim upheld.
"Whilst I have been entirely vindicated by the Dubai World Tribunal, I am naturally disappointed that, despite my best efforts at compromise the matter was not able to be resolved amicably without the need to take costly legal proceedings that vented Nakheel's internal business in a public forum.
"I believe Dubai will continue to prosper as the region's financial and business hub and under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum it will continue to be a major growth driver for the region."
"I look forward to an ongoing relationship with Dubai and the region in general."
A Nakheel spokesman said: "We respect today's court ruling. However, we firmly believe we have a strong case and if we had the right to appeal we would have done so."
Nakheel had earlier argued that the Dubai World Tribunal did not have jurisdiction to hear the dispute which should have been settled by the Ministry of Labour.
The tribunal was established to settle cases with the conglomerate as it underwent a $24.9 billion debt restructuring. Nakheel had been part of Dubai World, but was separated from the company last August.
Mr O'Donnell also paid tribute to the DIFC Courts saying: “The DIFC Courts are now firmly established as an integral part of the dispute resolution system of Dubai which will further reinforce Dubai as a principal commercial centre of the Middle East.”
