Deel’s CEO relocates to Dubai, adding complexity to Rippling’s legal case

Rippling is facing obstacles in serving Deel CEO Alex Bouaziz with legal documents as he and his lawyer are currently located in Dubai, according to internal correspondence viewed by TechCrunch. The move to Dubai has complicated the process of serving Bouaziz, who is a key figure in Rippling’s lawsuit against Deel in Ireland.

French bailiffs were unable to locate Bouaziz in Paris, France, raising challenges in delivering the legal documents. The lawsuit alleges that Bouaziz bribed a Rippling employee in Ireland, Keith O’Brien, with details in the affidavit painting a dramatic picture akin to a movie script. Additionally, Deel’s legal director Asif Malik, a British citizen, has also relocated to Dubai, complicating matters further for Rippling’s legal team.

The legal environment in the UAE poses challenges for extradition, making it difficult for European authorities to pursue individuals in the country. Despite this, the UAE has expressed a commitment to collaborating with international partners on law enforcement issues and has increased extraditions of longstanding criminals lately.

Bouaziz’s father, the CFO of Deel, who is implicated in overseeing payments to O’Brien and being aware of the alleged scheme, also lists his current location as the UAE, adding more complexity to the legal situation. Deel, including Alex and Philippe Bouaziz, has refrained from commenting on the situation, while denying any wrongdoing in response to Rippling’s lawsuit. Rippling, on the other hand, has not provided a comment on the matter.

The situation underscores the challenges involved in legal proceedings across international borders and the complexities that arise when key individuals in a lawsuit relocate to countries with different legal systems. The case highlights the importance of cooperation between countries in legal matters and the implications of such moves on ongoing legal disputes. The evolving situation between Rippling, Deel, and the individuals involved adds an element of intrigue to the legal landscape and raises questions about the effectiveness of legal processes in a globalized world.