Engineering & Construction

Engineering & Construction

The engineering and construction industry is a major element of the UAE economy in the 21st century. In recent times, the UAE’s engineering and construction industry has been among the busiest in the world.

Hadef & Partners provides a significant level of legal specialism to the engineering and construction sector, by offering our industry clients a comprehensive advice service for both procurement and resolving disputes. We have a deep understanding of the industry in this jurisdiction and our advice is targeted to meet our clients’ needs and expectations, through both our Arabic and English language lawyers and support staff.

Clients of our practice encompass the entire development spectrum of developers, financiers, contractors, major sub-contractors and project consultants.

Our services embrace major project work, including infrastructure and commercial development. We have negotiated and advised upon some of the largest water, power, pipeline and overhead transmission line EPC projects in the UAE – from pre-tender stage right through to project completion. We frequently advise in relation to major retail, leisure, residential and office developments.

We assist our clients - be they employers, contractors or consultants - on all aspects of contract interpretation and procedures during the course of projects, and step in to provide analysis and representation to our clients in the important interfaces that routinely occur between the participants in operations on site. We provide a depth of experience that allows our services to be delivered both on a timely and a value-added basis, where they are particularly needed in order to meet the requirements of our clients’ ongoing development activities.

Contract modelling 

We offer a depth of specialism on:

  • FIDIC model forms advice
  • contract drafting and amendment
  • hybrid and specialist forms
  • commercial project documentation, bonds, guarantees, warranties
  • insurance documentation.

Problem solving 

We represent clients both in the UAE courts and in the available forms of dispute resolution, be it conciliation, mediation or arbitration. Our services include:

  • UAE arbitration (DIAC, DIFC and ADCCAC)
  • conciliation, mediation, adjudication
  • international arbitration
  • risk awareness and management (time, cost, quality)
  • extension of time claims
  • delay damages and overrun cost claims
  • variations/prime cost, and provisional sums
  • payment and final account issues
  • the interface between arbitration rules, UAE court and other procedures
  • instructions to experts and arbitrator appointments
  • design, workmanship and materials failures
  • bond calls, guarantees and warranty claims
  • insurance claims and professional indemnity

We offer a comprehensive service to suit the needs of our clients and, importantly, their projects. We aim to speak the language of E&C with our clients and to share their passion for the industry in all its fascinating aspects.

  • “The practice is unique in Dubai on account of how well linked it is with local lawyers. This means that it is possible for the team to give sound advice on the basis of local law, much more quickly than other teams.”

    Legal 500, 2023

  • “Hadef’s lawyers appear to understand the needs of their clients.”

    Legal 500, 2023

  • “They had a deep understanding of the complex factual, technical and legal issues in the case. They provided the client with pragmatic and helpful advice on a range of issues, and were extremely responsive to the client’s requests for advice and input. They helped run a substantial arbitration hearing with great skill, determination, and tactical nous.”

    Legal 500, 2022

  • “A strong knowledge of local law. They are helpful and responsive.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • “They are a firm that provides an excellent service. They care about building long-term relationships with their clients.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • Clients praise Hadef & Partners' “extremely wide-ranging and extensive knowledge in the international field,” pointing to the firm as a “stellar leader in the legal field in the UAE.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • ‘They have in-depth understanding of the industry and legal system in this region, and offer local knowledge and expertise which many of the other firms don’t yet have. On a case on which I worked with them for several years they quickly gained a deep understanding of the complex factual, technical and legal issues in the case. They provided the client with pragmatic and helpful advice on a range of issues, and were extremely responsive to the client.’

    Legal 500, 2021

  • ‘They have in-depth understanding of the industry and legal system in this region, and offer local knowledge and expertise which many of the other firms don’t yet have. On a case on which I worked with them for several years they quickly gained a deep understanding of the complex factual, technical and legal issues in the case. They provided the client with pragmatic and helpful advice on a range of issues, and were extremely responsive to the client.’

    Legal 500, 2021

  • One source endorses the firm for its "strength and depth in understanding the complex and untested areas of UAE law when taking projects into a space where, if it is the first of its kind, issues arise." The same interviewee adds: "They have access to people that most firms don't necessarily have."

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • Robust practice able to represent clients at all levels of the UAE and DIFC courts, utilising its substantial knowledge of local litigation.

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • Clients commend the firm for possessing "a broad range of construction law capabilities and personalities that are easy to engage with."

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • Market commentators note that the team has an “excellent mix of senior international and local lawyers, which is invaluable.”

    Chambers Global, 2020

  • “Have a fantastic understanding of how business works and how the courts work in the UAE - their Arabic-speaking lawyers are invaluable when issues of UAE law come up.”

    Chambers Global, 2019

  • Hadef & Partners LLC attracts praise for its ‘real strength in depth, well-established links in the region, and great understanding of UAE law and procedure’.”

    Legal 500, 2018

  • “Clients frequently describe this as a ‘very sensible and experienced team’, noting that its lawyers are ‘personable and reliable’.”

    Chambers Global, 2018

  • A client says: “I'm impressed by their thorough approach and their client care - they're an established construction outfit.”

    Chambers Global, 2017

  • “Their experience and knowledge of arbitration matters in the UAE seems to be very deep.”

    Chambers Global, 2017

  • A local disputes powerhouse, excelling in local and DIFC court litigation. Also very active in arbitration and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Offers considerable expertise in construction, shipping and general commercial disputes.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • A strong bench of dispute resolution experts, able to represent clients in arbitration as well as local and DIFC court litigation proceedings. Substantial experience in representing developers, contractors and subcontractors.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • "We were impressed by the firm's clear, concise advice and prompt service."

    Chambers Global 2015

  • Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • Winner for Managing Partner of the Year

    Winner - Managing Partner of the Year 2020

    By : IFLR Middle East Awards

    Lawyer : Dr. Faraj Ahnish

  • Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for UAE Real Estate & Construction Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Shortlisted for UAE Real Estate & Construction Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : Chambers Middle East Awards

  • Winner for Arbitration Team of the Year 2019

    Winner for Arbitration Team of the Year 2019

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for Construction Team of the Year 2019

    Shortlisted for Construction Team of the Year 2019

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice 2018

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice 2018

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for Construction Team of the Year 2018

    Shortlisted for Construction Team of the Year 2018

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2018

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2018

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Real Estate/Construction Firm of the Year 2017

    Real Estate/Construction Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2017

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2017

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2016

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2016

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Real Estate & Construction Team of the Year 2016

    Real Estate & Construction Team of the Year 2016

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

    By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey

  • Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2016

    Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2016

    By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey

  • Middle East Law Firm of the Year 2016

    Middle East Law Firm of the Year 2016

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Shortlisted as Regional Law Firm of the Year 2015

    Shortlisted as Regional Law Firm of the Year 2015

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2015

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year 2015

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Highly Commended for Middle East Law firm of the Year 2015

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Young Lawyer of the Year 2014

    Young Lawyer of the Year

    By : DIFC Court Users Committee Awards 2014

    Lawyer : Omar Al Heloo

  • Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2014

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Shortlisted for Property & Construction Team of the Year 2014

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2013

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Property & Construction Team of the Year 2013

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Real Estate / Construction Firm of the Year 2012

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey