Construction Law

A well-drafted contract is the backbone of any successful project. We design and review contracts between: Owners and developers, General contractors and subcontractors, Consultants (architects, engineers), Suppliers, material vendors, and equipment providers. We ensure that contracts incorporate crucial provisions on scope, specifications, warranties, performance obligations, variations, delay, force majeure, liquidated damages, interface management, liabilities, insurance, and design obligations — all aligned with UAE construction practice.

Choosing the right procurement and project delivery model (design-bid-build, design-build, EPC, PPP) sets the foundation. We help clients structure project frameworks, tender documents, bid conditions, risk matrices, and statutory approvals. We advise on procurement risk allocation, contractor selection criteria, and interface with project finance or development entities.

Construction projects in the UAE must comply with a web of regulations — municipal, zoning, building safety standards, environmental norms, free zone authorities, and utility authorities. Our legal team advises on: Building permit processes and regulatory clearances, Health, safety, and environment (HSE) compliance, Utility and infrastructure connections, Compliance with Emirate authority rules, Free zone and economic zone construction norms. We ensure your project is in compliance from the outset, preventing costly delays or regulatory pushback.

We conduct legal risk audits and project health checks—reviewing contract portfolios, design documentation, procurement processes, and compliance systems. We map out potential exposure points, propose mitigation strategies (insurance, indemnities, performance security), and implement preventive frameworks to reduce uncertainty.

In real-world construction, changes and variations are inevitable. We guide the negotiation, documentation, and valuation of change orders, ensuring that adjustments are processed transparently, cost impact is fairly assessed, and claims do not lead to ambiguity or conflict later.

Delays, disruptions, or requests for acceleration often lead to complicated claims. We support clients in preparing entitlement claims, analyzing critical path schedules, quantifying additional costs, establishing causation, and advising on strategies to manage or limit exposure.

Construction defects and performance failures may jeopardize project integrity. We assist in defining defect liability periods, warranty scopes, remedial works obligations, inspection and certification protocols, and liability allocations between parties.

Securing performance and financial stability is vital. We draft, review, and advise on bonds, guarantees, standby letters of credit, retention mechanisms, escrow structures, and performance security packages to protect stakeholders’ interests.

Whenever contractual disagreements arise, we guide parties toward resolution without formal court engagement. We advise on claims strategy, mediation, amicable settlement, contractually mandated dispute boards, expert determination, and arbitration paths — preserving value and relationships while protecting your legal rights.

At project completion, legal attention is required to close-out formalities: final certifications, latent defect claims, release of retention, final account settlement, warranties, handover, and post-project obligations. We support clients in efficiently managing these close-out steps within legal safety bounds.