United Arab Emirates: Construction & Planning

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The New UAE Civil Code introduces significant changes to muqawala (construction) contracts, including new termination rights for employers, codified termination for convenience provisions, and clarified decennial liability rules that exclude subcontractors. These provisions create both opportunities and risks for parties in the construction and engineering sectors, requiring careful review of existing contractual arrangements.

The United Arab Emirates is set to replace its 1985 Civil Code with a comprehensive New Civil Code effective June 2026, introducing significant reforms to construction contract law. While preserving the fundamental framework including the mandatory ten-year structural defect warranty, the new legislation brings material changes such as statutory termination rights for convenience, expanded engineer liability, enhanced contractor notification obligations, and refined risk allocation mechanisms that will resh

The UAE continues to develop its legal framework with the recent enactment of Federal Decree Law No. 25 of 2025 (the "New Civil Code"), which replaces and significantly reforms major...

As regional tensions escalate, UAE construction projects are facing rising costs, material shortages, and delays. Our latest article breaks down how FIDIC contracts and the UAE Civil Code provide practical tools...

I was in Abu Dhabi on 28 February when the hostilities began across the region.1 Within hours of my arrival, airspace disruptions, attack interceptions...

Dubai has issued Law No. 7/2025 establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for contracting activities across the Emirate, including its free zones and special development areas.

Dubai's architectural ambition is visible across its skyline and real estate remains one of the Emirate's most dynamic and globally attractive sectors.

In line with the wise directives of the Government of Dubai to enhance the efficiency of the legislative system and adopt alternative dispute resolution mechanisms...