Delay claims
Disputes over responsibility for delay, extension of time entitlement, and associated costs.
Real Estate Law · Construction · Dubai & Sharjah
Construction Dispute Lawyer Dubai
Delay, defects, an unpaid invoice, or a disputed variation - construction disputes rarely resolve themselves. Get a clear view of your position.
MBM represents contractors, subcontractors, consultants, developers and owners in Dubai construction disputes - delay claims, defective work, payment disputes and variation order disagreements, whether the contract is FIDIC-form or bespoke. We work from the contract and the facts on the ground, not from assumption.
The framework
The contract governs - and so does UAE civil law
Construction disputes in the UAE turn primarily on the terms of the contract itself. FIDIC-form contracts are widely used as a matter of contractual choice, sitting alongside the general contract provisions of UAE civil law, currently the Civil Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025), which replaced the 1985 Civil Transactions Law. Whether a claim is heard in court or arbitration depends on the dispute resolution clause the parties agreed.
Delay, defects, payment and variation disputes are each assessed against the specific contract in question - there is no single formula that applies to every project. This page describes the general framework; it is not advice on your dispute.
Primary sources
UAE Legislation — uaelegislation.gov.ae · Dubai Land Department — dubailand.gov.ae
Matters we handle
Construction disputes MBM is instructed on
These are the situations that most often reach us. If yours is not listed, it is still worth a call.
Defective construction & defects
Claims connected to work that does not meet the contract standard, including defects-liability-period questions.
Payment & unpaid invoice disputes
Recovery of sums due under the payment mechanism in the contract, including disputed certifications and withheld retention.
Variation order disputes
Disagreements over whether an instruction is a variation, and over the price or time adjustment that should follow.
Engineer & architect disputes
Disputes connected to certification, instructions or design decisions made by the contract administrator.
Cost overrun disputes
Disagreements over the cause and allocation of a budget overrun, traced against the contract's price adjustment mechanism.
FIDIC contract disputes
Disputes arising under FIDIC-form contracts specifically, including notice requirements and tiered dispute resolution.
Construction arbitration & litigation
Representation in the forum the contract specifies, whether that is the courts or arbitration.
Our approach
What MBM actually does on a construction dispute
Concrete steps, in the order they usually happen.
Read the contract closely
Notice provisions, time bars and the dispute resolution clause often decide a construction dispute before the merits are even reached.
Establish the programme and the record
We work through the project records - programme, instructions, correspondence - to establish what actually happened.
Serve notices correctly
Many construction contracts impose strict notice requirements. We ensure claims are notified in time and in the right form.
Negotiate where realistic
Many construction disputes settle once the position is clearly and credibly stated.
Litigate or arbitrate
Where the matter proceeds, we prepare and present the case in whichever forum the contract specifies.
Before you call
What to have to hand
You do not need any of this to call us - but having it ready makes the first conversation more useful.
- The contractIncluding all schedules, amendments and the programme
- Notices already served or receivedDelay notices, variation instructions, defect notices
- Payment recordsCertificates, invoices and payment history
- CorrespondenceWith the other party and the contract administrator
- A timeline of eventsAs you understand them, with dates where you can
Why MBM
Contract discipline, applied to construction
Construction disputes are decided on notices, programmes and payment records. What makes the difference is a team that reads the contract the way a tribunal will.
- We act on multiple sides. Advising contractors, consultants and owners gives us a practical view of how these disputes are actually run.
- Litigation and arbitration in-house. If your matter has to be argued, the people advising you are the people who will argue it.
- Straight answers on merits. If a claim is weak on the notices or the record, we will tell you early.
- Two offices. Dubai and Sharjah.
17Years in practice as MBM Businessmen Services L.L.C.
90+Years of shared experience across the team
10Lawyers, litigation and arbitration capable
95%Win rate in high-stakes disputes, as published by the firm
Common questions
Construction disputes, answered directly
General information, not advice on your dispute. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your specific facts and contract.
What is the most common cause of construction disputes in Dubai?
Delay, defects and non-payment are the three recurring categories - a project running late, work that does not meet the contract standard, or an invoice that is not paid. Many disputes involve more than one of these at the same time.
Does UAE law recognise FIDIC-form construction contracts?
FIDIC forms are widely used in UAE construction projects as a matter of contractual choice, though they are not themselves UAE legislation. Where a FIDIC-form contract is used, its terms sit alongside the general contract provisions of UAE civil law, and both are relevant to a dispute.
Can a contractor claim compensation for construction delay?
Where a delay is caused by the employer, or by circumstances the contract allocates to the employer, a contractor may have grounds to claim an extension of time and, depending on the contract terms, associated costs. Whether a claim succeeds depends on the contract and the facts causing the delay.
What can be done about defective construction work?
Defects claims generally require identifying the defect, establishing responsibility under the contract, and assessing the cost of remedy. Depending on the contract, a defects liability period may also apply.
How does a contractor recover an unpaid invoice on a construction project?
Recovery generally starts with the payment mechanism set out in the contract, escalating to a formal demand and, where necessary, a claim or arbitration if the contract provides for it. See debt recovery for the parallel civil recovery route where relevant.
What is a variation order, and can it be disputed?
A variation order is an instructed change to the scope of works. Disputes commonly arise over whether an instruction constitutes a variation, and over the price or time adjustment that should follow. The contract's variation mechanism is usually the starting point.
Is construction arbitration common in the UAE?
Yes. Many construction contracts, particularly FIDIC-form contracts, provide for arbitration rather than court litigation. Whether arbitration applies depends on the dispute resolution clause in the specific contract.
Can MBM advise both contractors and employers on the same type of dispute?
Yes, though not in the same matter. MBM advises contractors, subcontractors, consultants, developers and owners, which gives a practical understanding of how these disputes are argued from both sides.
What should I do if a cost overrun is disputed on my project?
Cost overrun disputes usually require tracing the overrun back to its cause - a variation, a delay, a design change, or a costing error - and matching that against the contract's mechanism for adjusting price.
How much does a construction dispute lawyer cost in Dubai?
The initial consultation with MBM is free. Cost thereafter depends on the value and complexity of the dispute, and whether it proceeds by negotiation, litigation or arbitration. MBM provides a scope and fee position before you instruct.
Free consultation
Tell us about your project
Tell us briefly about your matter. Our team will review your enquiry and advise you on the appropriate next step. Everything you send is treated as confidential.
- +971 4 570 0204Dubai office · Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00
- WhatsApp +971 54 596 1111Send the contract or notice as a photo if it is easier
- info@mbm-co.comAttach the contract and any relevant notices
Practice area: Real Estate Law — Construction
Jurisdiction: Dubai & Sharjah, UAE
Last reviewed: September 2026
Thank you — your enquiry is with our team.
A member of the MBM team will review what you have sent and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
Construction disputes rarely improve with time. Advice can start today.
Whether the issue is delay, defects, payment or a variation, the earlier the contract and the record are reviewed, the more options remain open. The first consultation is free.