Trusted Construction Lawyers Dubai
For Contract And Dispute Cases.
Construction disputes in Dubai can cost you millions. A missed notice deadline, an unpaid certificate, or a badly written contract can all damage your position before you even know there is a problem. Our construction lawyers Dubai handle FIDIC contracts, payment disputes, delay claims, defects cases, and construction arbitration. Arabic, English, Russian, Urdu and Turkish speaking team.
3 Offices | Dubai
Abu Dhabi and RAK
Arabic · English · Russian ·
Urdu · Turkish
20+ Years Handling Construction
Cases in Dubai and UAE
- Practice Areas
Construction Cases Our Dubai Advocates Handle
We handle all types of construction disputes and contract matters across Dubai courts, DIAC arbitration, and FIDIC dispute processes. Every case is assigned to a named construction lawyer from day one.
Payment Disputes & Unpaid Certificates
Handling all aspects of divorce, including uncontested, contested, Talaq, Khul, and civil divorce for expats. We manage court filings, negotiations, and final decrees.
UAE Specific
UAE law protects your right to payment for certified work. Under FIDIC, unpaid certificates can trigger your right to suspend work, but only if the correct notice procedures are followed.
Delay Claims & Extension of Time
Preparing and defending delay claims for contractors and developers, including extension of time requests, prolongation costs, and liquidated damages disputes.
UAE Specific
Under FIDIC Sub-Clause 20.1, you must give notice of a delay claim within 28 days. Miss this deadline and your claim may be barred completely, even if the delay was the other side’s fault.
FIDIC Contract Disputes
Advising contractors, developers, and consultants on all types of FIDIC contract disputes, from variation disagreements and scope changes to termination and performance bond calls.
UAE Specific
Most major UAE construction projects use FIDIC Red, Yellow, or Silver Book contracts. UAE courts and DIAC arbitrators apply FIDIC rules strictly, knowing the contract inside out is essential.
Construction Defects & Decennial Liability
Handling disputes over construction defects, post-completion quality failures, and 10-year decennial liability claims under UAE law for both developers and contractors.
UAE Specific
Under Article 880 of the UAE Civil Code, contractors and engineers are jointly liable for structural defects for 10 years after handover. This cannot be excluded by contract; it applies automatically.
Construction Arbitration
Representing contractors and developers in construction arbitration through DIAC and ICC including FIDIC dispute adjudication board proceedings and enforcement of arbitration awards.
UAE Specific
Most UAE construction contracts require disputes to go to arbitration first. Getting the right arbitration clause and following it correctly can be the difference between winning and losing your claim.
Construction Contract Drafting & Review
Drafting and reviewing construction contracts, subcontracts, and consultant agreements before signing to identify unfair risk allocation, missing clauses, and hidden obligations.
UAE Specific
Most construction problems start with a poorly written contract. A contract reviewed before signing costs far less than a dispute resolved after. We check FIDIC amendments and bespoke contracts.
Subcontractor Claims & Disputes
Advising subcontractors on payment claims, variation entitlements, delay rights, and disputes with main contractors across Dubai and UAE construction projects.
UAE Specific
Subcontractors in the UAE generally cannot claim directly against the developer, only against the main contractor. Understanding this early affects how you structure your claim and your evidence.
Construction Litigation in Dubai Courts
Representing contractors, developers, and project owners in construction litigation through Dubai Civil Court and the DIFC Courts when arbitration is not available or appropriate.
UAE Specific
UAE courts use court-appointed experts to assess technical construction disputes. Your lawyer must know how to work with these experts and challenge their findings, this often decides the case.
- For Expats & Internationals
If You Are an Expat or Foreign Company on a UAE Construction Project in Dubai
International companies and expat professionals make up a large part of Dubai’s construction industry. But UAE construction law has some rules that many foreign companies do not know about until something goes wrong.
UAE construction law is a mix of FIDIC contract rules and UAE Civil Code provisions. The UAE Civil Code can override what your contract says, especially on decennial liability and payment rights.
FIDIC contracts in Dubai are almost always amended by the employer. The particular conditions can change key rules around delay, payment, and dispute resolution. Always read the full amended version before signing.
Notice deadlines in FIDIC contracts are strict in the UAE. Miss the 28-day window for a claim and you may lose your right to that claim entirely, even if the other side caused the problem.
Construction arbitration in Dubai is usually through DIAC. International companies can also use ICC or LCIA-DIFC. Choosing the right arbitration forum before the dispute starts affects your costs and your outcome.
Our team handles construction cases in Arabic, English, Russian, Urdu, and Turkish. You do not need a separate translator. We manage all court filings and arbitration submissions in the right language.
- Your Situation
Are You Dealing with One of These?
Construction disputes do not start with a court case. They start with a payment that does not arrive, a delay that nobody will take responsibility for, or a contract clause that suddenly becomes a problem. If any of these sound familiar, we can help.
- Know Your Rights
How Construction Law Works in Dubai
Construction law in Dubai combines two things: your contract and UAE law. Both apply at the same time. Understanding how they interact is the key to protecting your rights.
Construction Law Dubai
The Dubai Construction Court System
Construction disputes in Dubai go to the Dubai Civil Court when the contract does not specify arbitration. The court appoints independent technical experts to assess the facts. These experts write a report that is usually very influential on the judge's decision. Your lawyer needs to brief the expert correctly and challenge any findings that are wrong. The court process can take 1 to 2 years for complex cases.
The language of the court is Arabic. You need a lawyer who is fully fluent and knows how the Dubai Personal Status Court operates, not someone learning it on your case.
Construction Law Dubai
Your Rights When Something Goes Wrong
UAE law gives contractors the right to suspend work if they are not paid, but only if they follow the exact notice procedure in their contract. Developers have the right to deduct liquidated damages for delays, but only up to the amount agreed in writing. Under Article 880 of the UAE Civil Code, there is a 10-year liability for structural defects that no contract can remove. Knowing these rights early changes what you do on site not just in court.
Not sure what stage your case is at or what your rights are? Call us now. We will tell you exactly where you stand in plain language, no legal jargon
- Client Outcomes
What Our Clients Say — Real Cases, Real Outcomes
Construction cases in Dubai can change a person’s life. Here is what clients say about working with our lawyers in their own words.
- Our Team
The Lawyers Who Will Handle Your Construction Case In Dubai
Construction cases need experienced hands. At Leaders Advocates, your case goes to a named construction lawyer from day one. Our team has handled hundreds of construction cases across all of Dubai’s courts.
Faris Raian
Founder Partner
Faris Raian has represented clients across Dubai courts for over 15 years, establishing our firm as a top construction law firm Dubai. As a leading construction lawyer Dubai, he has successfully handled hundreds of contract disputes, FIDIC claims, and payment cases. Fully fluent in Arabic, he appears regularly before the Dubai Courts to protect his clients’ rights.
“Construction disputes demand immediate, decisive action. I understand the commercial weight a delayed project carries, and I fight to protect your interests.”
Ekaterina Butseva
Founder Partner
Ekaterina Butseva is a highly sought-after construction law expert in Dubai, specializing in dispute strategies for international clients and expatriates. Within our experienced construction law firm, she handles complex cross-border contract claims, arbitration proceedings, and cases requiring deep knowledge of both local and international construction standards. She is recognized as a trusted construction dispute lawyer who builds structurally sound cases for non-Arabic speaking clients.
“Every construction case is unique, especially for clients navigating the UAE system. I take the time to build a strategy tailored precisely to your project.”
Frengie samaan
Partner / Head of litigation
Frengie Samaan supports clients through every critical stage of their construction case, making her a vital asset to our construction law firm Dubai. Working seamlessly with our elite team of construction litigation lawyers, she manages court filings, case preparation, and trial navigation. Her thorough grasp of construction legal services ensures that no detail is left unaddressed from the first delay notice to the final judgment.
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“I make sure no client feels lost or overwhelmed by the legal process. Every question gets a clear, honest answer, and every right is fiercely protected.”
- How It Works
What Happens After You Contact Our Construction Law Team
- FAQs
Questions Our Construction Law Team Gets Asked Every Day
These are real questions from contractors, developers, subcontractors, and project owners dealing with construction disputes in Dubai.
My contractor was not paid and stopped work on my project. Is that legal in Dubai?
Under FIDIC contracts, a contractor can suspend work if payment is overdue, but only after giving proper written notice and waiting for the required period. If the contractor follows the correct procedure, suspension is legal. If they stop work without following the right steps, they may be in breach of contract themselves. The contract wording matters a lot here.
I missed the 28-day notice deadline in my FIDIC contract. Have I lost my claim?
Possibly, but not always. UAE courts and arbitrators apply FIDIC time bars strictly. However, there are circumstances where a late notice can still be accepted, for example, if the employer already knew about the event. Do not assume your claim is gone. Contact a construction lawyer immediately to assess your options before you do anything else.
What is FIDIC, and why does it matter for my Dubai construction project?
FIDIC stands for the International Federation of Consulting Engineers. It is the organization that publishes the most widely used standard construction contract forms in the world and they are used on most major construction projects in Dubai anworld, UAE. The Red Book is the most common. Understanding your FIDIC contract, especially the parts your employer has amended, is essential before any dispute arises.
The developer has deducted liquidated damages from my payment. Can they do that?
A developer can only deduct liquidated damages if the delay was your fault and the contract clearly states the LD rate. If the developer caused or contributed to the delay, the LD deduction may be reduced or removed entirely. You also have the right to challenge whether the LD rate is a genuine pre-estimate of loss or an unenforceable penalty under UAE law.
My building has structural defects 5 years after completion. Who is responsible?
Under Article 880 of the UAE Civil Code, the contractor and the architect or engineer who supervised the project are jointly liable for structural defects for 10 years from the date of handover. This 10-year liability cannot be removed by a contract clause. If the defects affect the structure or stability of the building, this law applies, regardless of what the original contract says.
What is the difference between construction arbitration and going to court in Dubai?
Construction arbitration is usually done through DIAC, is private and faster than court, and uses arbitrators with specialist construction knowledge. Court proceedings are public, and judges may rely heavily on court-appointed experts. Most FIDIC contracts require arbitration first. If your contract does not have an arbitration clause, the Dubai Civil Court is usually the right forum. We advise on which route gives you the best result for your specific dispute.
My subcontractor did bad work, and the developer is holding me responsible. What are my options?
As the main contractor, you are responsible to the developer for the subcontractor’s work. You can pursue the subcontractor for any losses you suffer because of their poor work, including any amounts the developer deducts from your payment. You need the subcontract to be clearly written to make this recovery possible. We advise on both the claim against the subcontractor and the defense against the developer.
Need A Construction Lawyer Dubai? Your Construction Law Firm In Dubai Is Ready To Help
A construction dispute in Dubai can escalate quickly. The longer you wait to get a lawyer involved, the fewer options you have. Our construction litigation team is ready right now. Call us or WhatsApp us. We will get back to you immediately.