Court hearings ended yesterday in a high-profile case in which one of Dubai's biggest former property executives is claiming about US$3.7 million (Dh13.5m) in severance pay and other benefits from his old employer.
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Chris O'Donnell, the former chief executive of the property giant Nakheel, filed the case with the Dubai World Tribunal. Mr O'Donnell, who earned about Dh400,000 a month during a five-year tenure that ended in June, claims he is still due $3m in long-term incentive payments, plus interest and numerous other entitlements.
The hearings yesterday followed another on Monday during which Mr O'Donnell took the stand and was questioned by Nakheel's lawyers. Yesterday's proceedings mainly addressed questions of the tribunal's jurisdiction and the date on which Mr O'Donnell left Nakheel.
Nakheel has countered Mr O'Donnell's case principally by arguing the tribunal does not have jurisdiction to hear it and that it should have been brought before the Ministry of Labour.
The company's lawyers have also said Mr O'Donnell's performance as chief executive was lacking, painting a picture in legal documents of a man who acted against the company's interests in breach of his duties.
Mr O'Donnell and his lawyers have denied those claims, saying he acted properly and that there was no dispute between him and Nakheel at the time he left.
The timing of Mr O'Donnell's departure became an issue because of a so-called "long-term incentive" payment that was contractually due to him at the end of five years in his position. A $1.5m payment was one of two he was set to receive, the other due at the end of four years of service.
Mr O'Donnell reportedly left Nakheel on about June 9 this year, but his contract expired a week later. Lawyers for Nakheel earlier presented arguments that he had "effectively" resigned before the end of his contract, thus relieving the company of the obligation to make his five-year incentive payment. But they conceded in the hearing yesterday that his contract had simply expired.
The case is being heard in the tribunal because Nakheel was formerly a subsidiary of Dubai World. The tribunal is a special court created to settle disputes with the government-owned conglomerate as it underwent a sweeping restructuring. Nakheel was separated from Dubai World in August, several months after Dubai World completed a $24.9 billion debt restructuring.
At the end of the hearing yesterday, the tribunal's three-judge panel said it expected to make a judgement in the case soon, but not before next year.
afitch@thenational.ae
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The specs
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Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
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