We are pleased to announce that Dr. Hassan Elhais has been awarded Legal Consultant of the Year in the United Arab Emirates by Leaders in Law for 2026.
It gives us immense pleasure to announce that Dr. Hassan Elhais, Legal consultant has been awarded the Best Legal Consultant of the year 2025 in Dubai, by Corporate INTL.
We would like to proudly announce that Dr. Hassan Elhais, one of our leading legal consultants, has been declared as the Global Awards' ‘Legal consultant of the Year’ 2024/2025 United Arab Emirates by Leaders in Law.
We are honoured to share that Dr Hassan Elhais has been recognized as a leading author in the Lexology Legal Influencers Q2 2023 for Private Client - Asia-Pacific.
Our team is proud to announce that, one our leading legal consultants, Dr. Hassan Elhais has been awarded the prestigious Legal 100 Asia Award for the ‘Best Legal Consultant of the Year, Litigation -2021’.
Our team is immensely proud to announce and congratulate our distinguished Legal Consultant, Dr. Hassan Elhais for receiving the ‘Corporate America Today Annual Award’ for the 'Best Legal Consultant for the year 2020'.
On a construction project, the contract decides, who
carries the risk when things go wrong. Strong drafting, protects your position, from day one.
A construction contract in the UAE, is the agreement governing a building, or engineering
project, setting out scope, price, time, and risk between the employer, contractor, and
consultants. Well-drafted contracts prevent the costly disputes. An experienced Construction
Contract Lawyer in Dubai drafts, reviews, and negotiates these agreements, to protect your
interests, under UAE law.
In the UAE, a construction contract is a works (muqawala) agreement where the contractor agrees
to build or carry out works for an employer in exchange for payment, on agreed terms of scope,
price, and time.
The construction contracts are subject to the muqawala provisions of the UAE Civil Code (Federal
Law No. 5 of 1985, as amended by Federal Decree Law No. 25 of 2025), which deal with the issues
such as scope, payment, variations, defects, and decennial liability. In Dubai contractors are
subject to the registration and classification regime prescribed in Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025.
The contract places risk on the law that would otherwise be left to discretion. According to Dr.
Hassan Elhais, Senior Legal Consultant, clear drafting of scope, variations, payment, and time
provisions is what protects parties when a project comes under pressure.
Scope, price, and programme
Variations, payment, and risk allocation
Defects, liability, and dispute resolution
Precise drafting is the best protection on any project.
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Types of Construction Contracts We Handle in Dubai
There are many types of construction contracts. Each construction contract is handled, by a
Construction Contract Lawyer, in Dubai.
Drafting Construction Contracts
Drafting clear, enforceable building, and engineering contracts, tailored to your
project.
Reviewing & Negotiating Terms
Reviewing and negotiating scope, payment and risk prior to signing.
Subcontracts & Consultancy Agreements
Preparation of subcontracts and engineer/consultant appointments.
Contract Risk Advice
Contract chain advice on risk allocation, time-bars, and liability.
The Construction Contract Process in Dubai – Step by Step
Preparing, and protecting a construction contract, follows a structured process.
Construction Contract Lawyer Process in Dubai
Step 1: Understanding the Project
We review:
The project, and the parties
The scope, price, and the programme
Your objectives, and the risks
The applicable legal framework
Step 2: Drafting or Reviewing
We prepare or examine:
Scope, and the specification
Payment, and the variation terms
Time, delay, and liquidated damages
Defects, liability, and the dispute clauses
Step 3: Negotiation
We negotiate:
Amendments, to protect your interests
Balanced risk allocation
Practical, enforceable terms
Step 4: Finalisation
We deliver:
A finalised, enforceable contract
Guidance on notices, and the time-bars
Support, if a dispute later arises
A contract is only as strong as its drafting. Your Construction Contract Lawyer in Dubai,
ensures it protects you, from the outset.
Cost Discussion Framework
Legal fees for construction contracts, depend on the project. Factors include:
Value, and the complexity of the project
Whether drafting, review, or the negotiation
Standard form vs. bespoke contract
Number of revision rounds
Subcontract, and the consultancy elements
During your consultation, we provide a transparent fee structure, tailored to your contract.
Addressing Common Client Concerns
Should a lawyer review my construction contract?
Yes. It will help protect your interests, and manage risk. Before you sign, review the
scope, payment, time and liability provisions.
Can decennial liability be excluded by contract?
No. Under the Civil Code, any agreement to exclude, or reduce decennial liability is null
and void, but the period can be extended, by agreement.
Do contractors need to register in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025 mandates that contractors register, and be classified,
through the unified Dubai Municipality system.
How are variations handled?
Your contract should also specify, how scope can be changed, including the cost, and time
implications, clear terms prevent disputes.
Confidentiality is strictly maintained at all times.
Why Choose Dr. Hassan Elhais & Our Construction Contract Lawyer in Dubai
Dr. Hassan Elhais, is a Senior Legal Consultant, with over two decades of UAE experience advising
on construction contracts, and the projects.
Proven experience in the construction contracts
Multilingual legal team
Representation for the employers, contractors, and the consultants
Strong knowledge of muqawala, and the FIDIC contracts
Precise, protective legal drafting
We operate in strict compliance, with the UAE construction, and the civil law.
Trust & Compliance
We offer professional and ethical representation under the law of the UAE. Our recommendations
are specific to your project, communicated transparently, and free of misleading guarantees. All
consultations are held in strict confidence.
Take Immediate Action
On a construction project, your protection is in the contract. Drafting and reviewing by experts
early on means you allocate risk and avoid disputes.
Normal key provisions include scope of work, payment terms,
variations, extensions of time, liquidated damages, defects liability, insurance,
termination and dispute resolution.
Decennial liability is a mandatory ten-year liability imposed on
contractors, and engineers for collapse, or defects that threaten the stability, or
safety of a building, or structure.
Legal consequences are determined, by the contract terms, reason
for delay, notice requirements, eligibility for extension of time, and any
applicable liquidated damages provisions.
The right lawyer depends, on the project and the issues
involved. Dr. Hassan Elhais is an experienced Senior Legal Consultant in Dubai,
advising employers, contractors, consultants, developers and businesses on
construction contract drafting, FIDIC agreements, project risk allocation,
negotiations and dispute prevention throughout the UAE.
