Construction Advisory

Our engineering and construction practice provides advisory services to a broad range of clients – from government bodies and major developers to purchasers, contractors, subcontractors and consultants – and a wide variety of projects, including commercial and residential buildings, power stations, railways, roads, infrastructure projects as well as largescale villa projects. We have the expertise to help successfully manage risk through effective project management.

Hadef & Partners' lawyers are experts in the various standard form contracts used in the UAE, such as the FIDIC suite of contracts, and are adept at customizing these documents to meet the specific needs and objectives of their clients. They also provide strategic advice on project structuring, procurement strategies, and compliance with local laws and regulations. With a proactive and solution-oriented approach, the engineering and construction practice’s advisory service helps clients anticipate and mitigate potential risks, optimize project outcomes, and achieve their business goals in the UAE's dynamic construction market.

Additionally, Hadef & Partners are called upon to assist in a Project Counsel role and, in such a role, routinely advise on contractual entitlements as well as assisting with correspondence, notices, variation procedures and claims submissions to those on site and within client contract teams.

We focus on the following key areas:

• the preparation, review and negotiation of the terms of construction documentation including tenders, letters of intent, main contracts, sub-contracts, consultant appointments and collateral warranties whether standard or project-specific;
• advising in relation to performance bonds, guarantees and insurance arrangements;
• PPP, partnering contracts and EPC contracts; and 
• advice on procurement issues.

• Successfully advised a major infrastructure contractor on a secondment/Project Counsel basis in relation to a significant extension of time with associated costs claim in relation to the extension of the Abu Dhabi Airport. Culminating in the granting of a full extension of time with costs during the lifetime of the Project.
• Successfully advised a major Abu Dhabi based Main Contractor as team leader in the preparation of a complex delay and disruption claim during the lifetime of a headline Project against a Government Developer. When we received the initial instructions, the Contractor had effectively reached an impasse on claims, which was leading to the termination/determination of the Contract. A comprehensive claim was submitted, with both Parties through negotiation reaching an amicable settlement of the claim.
• Successfully advised a JV local/international Contractor in relation to delay and disruption claims in excess of AED 300 million covering the construction of one of Dubai’s largest shopping malls, resulting in a successful resolution and maintaining the future working relationship of the Developer and Contractor
• Successfully advised Civil Contractors in relation to delay and cost recovery issues arising out of agreements for a gas turbine Power installation in Iraq.
• Successfully advised an international consortium on the proposed revision of terms within a FIDIC based contract relating to the construction of a quasi-government entity.
• Successfully advised a large UAE based property developer on various aspects of numerous multibillion projects on Reem Island, Jubail Island and Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi.
• Successfully reviewed and advised on a proposed settlement agreement between a Dubai Governmental body and an international Main Contractor, culminated in a successful settlement of outstanding claims during the lifetime of the Project worth in excess 4.5 billion dirhams.