Background of the Case

In a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute between HR tech firms Deel and Rippling, Deel has officially accepted the service of legal documents in Ireland. This resolution brings clarity to weeks of uncertainty following Rippling’s difficulties in serving Deel executives with court papers.

New Developments

Deel’s CEO, Alex Bouaziz, alongside lawyers Asif Malik and Andrea David Mieli, confirmed their acceptance of service through their Irish legal representation during a court session. Deel Inc., the company’s U.S. entity, had previously been served on April 16, according to an affidavit submitted by Rippling.

Challenges in Service Attempts

Despite various attempts by Rippling to deliver legal documents, including efforts in France and Italy, Bouaziz and his colleagues could not be located. Notably, Bouaziz was found to be in Dubai during these efforts, a fact reported by TechCrunch, resulting in confusion regarding his whereabouts.

In a response to TechCrunch’s inquiry about Bouaziz’s current location, Deel maintained a stance of privacy, opting not to disclose further details.

Deel’s Response to Allegations

Deel refuted claims suggesting that its executives had been evading service. A spokesperson stated, “It’s a misrepresentation that anyone was avoiding service,” accusing Rippling of using this narrative as a public smear tactic.

The company clarified that Malik’s relocation to Dubai had been planned well in advance of the litigation, while Mieli was in Italy working from home and available for service.

Core Allegations and Counterclaims

The lawsuit at the heart of this dispute revolves around Rippling’s accusations that Deel engaged in illicit conduct by allegedly bribing a former employee to provide inside information. The employee, Keith O’Brien, has supported these claims through a detailed affidavit.

In the wake of heightened tensions, Deel has filed a countersuit in the U.S., alleging that Rippling had itself fostered an insider within Deel to gain confidential information.

Public Reactions

In light of Deel’s countersuit, Rippling’s CEO, Parker Conrad, publicly reiterated a central allegation, claiming that Bouaziz directly recruited an insider to steal trade secrets. This statement was shared on the platform X, highlighting the ongoing hostile nature of the legal battle.