Construction Lawyer in Dubai
Clear Guidance on Real Estate and Construction Matters
Work with a construction lawyer in Dubai for contract drafting, dispute resolution, defects claims, and payment enforcement across UAE construction projects. We guide you through FIDIC contracts, arbitration proceedings, and regulatory compliance with clear steps and practical timelines.
Need help with a construction dispute or contract? Contact our Dubai construction law team today.
What We Do
- Construction contract drafting and review including FIDIC, bespoke agreements, and subcontractor arrangements
- Construction dispute resolution covering delays, defects, variations, and payment claims through courts or arbitration
- Payment and performance bond enforcement with bank guarantee claims and surety bond disputes
- Construction arbitration management under DIAC Rules, ICC, and ad hoc proceedings for major projects
- Regulatory compliance support for Dubai Municipality approvals, NOCs, and construction licensing requirements
- Construction defects and warranty claims with technical assessment coordination and remedial work disputes
How We Help
- Review your construction agreements and advise on risk allocation, payment terms, and dispute resolution clauses
- Manage construction claims with evidence preparation, technical coordination, and strategic negotiation or litigation
- Represent you in arbitration tribunals and court proceedings with construction-specific knowledge and advocacy
Facing construction delays or payment disputes? Call our Dubai construction legal team for immediate support.
Construction Contract Services
FIDIC and Standard Form Contracts
- Draft and negotiate FIDIC Red Book, Yellow Book, and Silver Book contracts for UAE construction projects
- Adapt international contract forms to UAE legal requirements and local construction practices
- Review employer requirements, contractor proposals, and particular conditions for risk mitigation
Bespoke Construction Agreements
- Create tailored construction contracts for complex projects including design-build and management contracting
- Include clear scope definitions, payment mechanisms, variation procedures, and completion requirements
- Draft dispute resolution clauses appropriate for project value and complexity
Subcontract and Supply Agreements
- Prepare subcontract agreements with appropriate back-to-back provisions and payment terms
- Review supplier contracts for materials, equipment, and specialist services
- Ensure coordination between main contracts and subcontract obligations
Construction Dispute Resolution
Delay and Extension of Time Claims
- Assess critical path delays, concurrent delays, and acceleration claims with programming evidence
- Prepare extension of time applications and defend against liquidated damages
- Coordinate with planning specialists and delay analysts for tribunal or court proceedings
Variation and Additional Work Disputes
- Evaluate variation claims, change orders, and scope creep issues with cost and time implications
- Negotiate fair rates for additional work and disputed variations
- Present variation claims with detailed records and cost assessments
Defects and Quality Disputes
- Handle defects liability claims and warranty disputes with technical coordination
- Assess rectification costs, consequential losses, and performance standards
- Manage disputes over acceptance, practical completion, and final certificates
Payment and Security Disputes
Payment Claim Enforcement
- Prepare and serve payment applications under UAE construction payment regulations
- Enforce interim payments, final accounts, and retention releases through legal proceedings
- Handle set-off disputes and contra-charges in construction payment contexts
Performance Bond and Guarantee Claims
- Advise on performance bond calls and defend against wrongful demands
- Coordinate bank guarantee enforcement and injunction applications where appropriate
- Handle advance payment guarantee and retention guarantee disputes
Construction Arbitration
DIAC Construction Arbitration
- Manage construction arbitration under DIAC Rules with construction-specific procedural considerations
- Coordinate with quantity surveyors, engineers, and programming specialists for technical evidence
- Handle multi-party construction disputes and consolidation applications
International Construction Arbitration
- Represent parties in ICC, LCIA, and other institutional arbitration for major construction projects
- Manage complex construction arbitration with multiple respondents and cross-claims
- Coordinate enforcement of construction arbitration awards across jurisdictions
Regulatory and Compliance Issues
Construction Licensing and Approvals
- Assist with Dubai Municipality building permits, NOCs, and regulatory compliance
- Handle construction licensing disputes and regulatory enforcement actions
- Advise on health and safety compliance and regulatory reporting requirements
Professional Services and Consultancy
- Draft and review architect, engineer, and consultant agreements with appropriate liability caps
- Handle professional negligence claims against design consultants and supervision consultants
- Manage disputes over design responsibility and construction administration duties
Who We Support
- Developers and employers requiring construction legal support for major project contract management
- Contractors and subcontractors needing dispute resolution and payment enforcement assistance
- Consultants and professional services seeking construction contract review and liability advice
- International construction firms needing UAE construction law guidance and dispute representation
How It Works
Step 1: Project Assessment
Review construction documents, contracts, and dispute issues to develop appropriate legal strategy
Step 2: Contract and Claim Preparation
Draft contracts, prepare claims documentation, and coordinate with technical specialists
Step 3: Negotiation and Proceedings
Engage in settlement discussions, arbitration, or court proceedings as required
Step 4: Resolution and Implementation
Obtain awards or settlements, manage enforcement, and provide ongoing contract administration support
Frequently Asked Questions
We handle FIDIC contracts, bespoke agreements, subcontracts, and consultancy appointments for all project types across the UAE construction sector.
Simple payment disputes often resolve in 3 to 6 months through negotiation or court proceedings. Complex arbitration involving technical issues can extend to 12 to 24 months depending on case complexity.
Yes, many disputes resolve through mediation, adjudication, or direct negotiation with settlement agreements before formal arbitration proceedings become necessary.
A performance bond is a bank guarantee securing contractor performance under project contracts, typically representing 5-10% of the contract value.
Through critical path analysis, contemporary project records review, programming updates, and technical delay analysis to establish causation and impact.
Remedies include rectification costs, technical assessments of required works, consequential damages, and potential contract termination for serious defects.
Yes, FIDIC contracts are enforceable under UAE law when properly adapted to local legal requirements and construction practices.
Contractors submit variation claims with supporting records and cost analysis. Employers assess entitlement and valuation based on contract terms and market rates.
Employers can terminate the contract, engage replacement contractors, call performance bonds, and claim additional costs through legal proceedings.
Yes, subject to local licensing requirements and partnership arrangements in mainland UAE, with specific rules for free zone projects.
Through monthly payment applications, milestone payments, or percentage completion methods, usually with retention holdbacks until defects liability periods end.
The engineer administers the contract, certifies payments, evaluates claims, issues variations, and makes determinations on contract matters.