The best construction lawyer in Dubai is not necessarily the lawyer with the largest firm or the most recognisable name. The right choice depends on your contract, the technical issues involved, the dispute-resolution forum and the commercial outcome you need.
This guide identifies 10 construction lawyers worth considering for Dubai-related projects in 2026, covering construction arbitration, UAE litigation, infrastructure development and contract advice.
Editorial note: This is a research-based shortlist, not an official league table or a guarantee of results. Entries appear alphabetically by first name; their numbers are for navigation, not comparative ranking. Public professional profiles and Chambers’ UAE construction tables informed the selection. Suggested client suitability is an editorial assessment, not a claim that any lawyer is universally “best.” (Chambers)
Best Construction Lawyers in Dubai: 2026 Comparison
| No. | Lawyer | Firm or practice | Documented areas of focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ahmad Abdulla Ahli | Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates & Legal Consultants | Former Chairman of the Dubai Real Estate Court with 27+ years of judicial and legal experience relevant to construction and property disputes. (Ahli Law) |
| 2 | Ali Al Zarooni | Horizons & Co. | Construction disputes, UAE litigation and arbitration. (Horizons & Co) |
| 3 | Erin Miller Rankin | Freshfields | Major projects disputes and complex international arbitration. (Freshfields) |
| 4 | Gurmeet Kaur | Pinsent Masons | Infrastructure, energy and public-private partnership projects. (Pinsent Masons) |
| 5 | Jonathan H. Sutcliffe | K&L Gates | Construction and infrastructure disputes, international arbitration and DIFC advocacy. (K&L Gates) |
| 6 | Mark Blanksby | Clyde & Co | Construction project advice, dispute avoidance and arbitration. (Clyde & Co) |
| 7 | Mark Raymont | Pinsent Masons | Complex technical disputes involving infrastructure, energy and process facilities. (Pinsent Masons) |
| 8 | Michael Grose | Clyde & Co | Construction arbitration, variations, extensions of time and termination disputes. (Clyde & Co) |
| 9 | Michelle Nelson | Rock Rose Legal FZ LLC | Construction arbitration and advocacy, including DIFC proceedings. (Chambers) |
| 10 | Paul Taylor | Al Tamimi & Company | Construction and engineering disputes, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. (Al Tamimi & Company) |
The shortlist includes practitioners serving Dubai through local and wider regional practices. It should not be read as confirmation that every lawyer works exclusively in Dubai, holds the same court permissions or is available for a particular instruction.
How These Construction Lawyers Were Selected
The selection considers three factors: demonstrated construction expertise, relevance to Dubai-related work, and verifiable professional information. Chambers’ construction rankings provide an external reference point, while current biographies help establish affiliations and areas of practice. Chambers distinguishes construction dispute resolution from non-contentious construction work—a useful distinction when choosing between a disputes lawyer and a lawyer advising before a project encounters problems. (Chambers)
This review does not assess confidential client experiences, compare success rates or verify individual fee quotations. Before appointing counsel, confirm current registration, availability, conflicts of interest and the proposed engagement team.
Ahmad Abdulla Ahli — Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates & Legal Consultants
A candidate to consider where a construction dispute overlaps with real estate court procedure and benefits from a former presiding judge’s perspective.
Ahmad Abdulla Ahli is the founder of Ahmad Abdulla Ahli Advocates & Legal Consultants and brings more than 27 years of legal and judicial experience in the UAE. He served as Chairman of the Dubai Real Estate Court and Chairman of the Real Estate Committee for Cancelled Projects — the bodies most directly connected to disputes over delayed, defective or cancelled development projects. (Ahli Law)
His judicial career also included service as Chairman of the Labour Court, Judge of the Labour Court, the Criminal Court, the Civil Court and the Court of Cassation, together with earlier work within Public Prosecution.
That combination of real-estate-court leadership and broader judicial experience is directly relevant where a construction dispute also raises questions of project cancellation, developer default or registration with Dubai’s real estate authorities.
For a construction-related consultation, provide the contract, project records, notices and any correspondence with the developer or contractor. Ask how the matter would be framed if it were presented to the Real Estate Court.
Ask at the consultation: “If this dispute reached the Real Estate Court, how would you frame the claim, and what records would matter most?”
Ali Al Zarooni — Horizons & Co.
A candidate to consider for construction disputes requiring UAE litigation and arbitration coordination.
Ali Al Zarooni is the founder and managing partner of Horizons & Co. His published profile describes extensive dispute-resolution experience, including construction and real estate matters. The firm’s representative matters include construction disputes involving Dubai’s Museum of the Future and Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital. These are examples of publicly reported instructions, not a prediction of results in another case.
For a contractor, developer or subcontractor, his practice may be relevant where the legal strategy requires close attention to UAE law and the relationship between litigation and arbitration.
Ask at the consultation: “Which forum should handle this dispute, and who will personally manage the litigation or arbitration?”
Erin Miller Rankin — Freshfields
A candidate to consider for major projects disputes with international and technical complexity.
Erin Miller Rankin leads Freshfields’ Global Projects Disputes Practice. Her published experience includes complex international arbitrations involving energy, mining, technology and transportation. She is also a co-editor of a specialist publication on delay and disruption in construction projects. Her profile identifies both contentious work and advice on major project contracts.
Her practice may be particularly relevant where a Dubai-related instruction forms part of a wider international project, involves several jurisdictions or requires substantial coordination of legal and technical evidence.
Ask at the consultation: “How would you organise the legal, delay and valuation evidence, and which team would lead the matter?”
Gurmeet Kaur — Pinsent Masons
A candidate to consider for infrastructure and energy projects before disputes arise.
Gurmeet Kaur is a Dubai-based partner at Pinsent Masons. Her official biography describes Middle East experience dating from 2007, with work across public- and private-sector infrastructure and energy projects. Her stated areas include public-private partnerships, renewable energy, water and power.
Her inclusion offers an important alternative to a disputes-only shortlist. A project owner or developer seeking advice on procurement and contractual risk allocation has different requirements from a contractor preparing for arbitration.
Ask at the consultation: “Which obligations should be clarified before signing, particularly where construction, financing and operational responsibilities intersect?”
Jonathan H. Sutcliffe — K&L Gates
A candidate to consider for construction arbitration with cross-border or DIFC dimensions.
Jonathan H. Sutcliffe is a Dubai-based partner at K&L Gates. His practice includes international arbitration, commercial disputes, construction and infrastructure. He is qualified in England and Wales and New York, and his official biography identifies him as a registered advocate before the DIFC Courts.
His combination of arbitration and court experience may be relevant where a construction dispute involves several jurisdictions or requires a coordinated approach to arbitration and related proceedings.
Ask at the consultation: “What jurisdictional, procedural or enforcement issues should be addressed before substantial costs are incurred?”
Mark Blanksby — Clyde & Co
A candidate to consider for project advice, dispute avoidance and construction arbitration.
Mark Blanksby is a Dubai-based partner at Clyde & Co. His biography states that he has more than 25 years of Middle East construction and infrastructure experience and has been based in Dubai since 2004. His work includes advising employers, main contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, both during projects and in disputes. His public experience includes advising the construction joint venture on matters connected with the Burj Khalifa.
His practice may suit a client seeking ongoing project counsel rather than waiting until a claim has become formal proceedings.
Ask at the consultation: “What can we do now to preserve our position while keeping the project moving?”
Mark Raymont — Pinsent Masons
A candidate to consider for technically demanding engineering and infrastructure disputes.
Mark Raymont is a Dubai-based partner at Pinsent Masons. His published practice focuses on complex, large-scale technical, commercial and legal disputes involving infrastructure, energy, oil and gas, and process-sector projects.
That focus may be relevant where the dispute turns on engineering performance, competing technical explanations or the interaction between programme events and contractual responsibility. When evaluating this type of instruction, ask how the proposed team will work with your project personnel and independent experts.
Ask at the consultation: “Which technical questions must be resolved first, and how will those findings shape the legal case?”
Michael Grose — Clyde & Co
A candidate to consider for construction claims involving variations, delay and termination.
Michael Grose is a partner in Clyde & Co’s projects and construction practice, with Dubai identified as his main office. His official biography records involvement in the firm’s Middle East practice since 1998. His construction arbitration experience includes disputes concerning variations, extensions of time and early termination under several institutional rules.
His practice may be relevant where a dispute contains several interconnected claims rather than a single unpaid invoice—for example, additional work, time-related costs and competing termination allegations.
Ask at the consultation: “Which parts of our claim have the strongest contractual and evidential support, and where are the main weaknesses?”
Michelle Nelson — Rock Rose Legal FZ LLC
A candidate to consider for specialist construction arbitration and advocacy.
Michelle Nelson’s current Chambers profile identifies her practice as Rock Rose Legal FZ LLC. It describes experience in major construction, infrastructure, and oil and gas disputes, acting for participants including employers, contractors, consultants and subcontractors. Chambers also notes that she divides her time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with experience in arbitration and DIFC proceedings. (Chambers)
Her practice may be relevant to clients assessing a specialist counsel-led approach, particularly where advocacy and the presentation of a technically complex case are central concerns.
Ask at the consultation: “What work would you undertake personally, and what additional legal or expert support would the case require?”
Paul Taylor — Al Tamimi & Company
A candidate to consider for construction disputes requiring a choice between negotiation, arbitration and other procedures.
Paul Taylor is a partner and Regional Head of Arbitration at Al Tamimi & Company, based in Dubai’s DIFC. His official profile describes a longstanding focus on construction and engineering disputes, with experience spanning litigation, arbitration, mediation, dispute boards and adjudication.
His practice may be relevant where the client needs an early assessment of the appropriate dispute-resolution route rather than an immediate assumption that a full arbitration is the only answer.
Ask at the consultation: “What must happen under the contract before proceedings begin, and is there a commercially realistic opportunity for early resolution?”
A 2026 Legal Update Every Construction Client Should Raise
Do not assume that an older UAE construction-law article accurately states the law applicable to your contract.
Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 introduced the new UAE Civil Transactions Law, which took effect on 1 June 2026, replacing the 1985 legislation. Its construction-contract provisions address matters including notice obligations, adjustments to lump-sum contracts and termination.
The applicable position requires attention to the contract date, governing law and transitional issues. Earlier contracts should not automatically be analysed as though every provision of the new law applies to them. Ask counsel to identify the relevant statutory framework before relying on familiar article numbers or standard commentary.
For a FIDIC-based agreement, also provide the exact edition, signed amendments and Particular Conditions. Request advice on the contract actually executed—not merely the unamended standard form.
How to Choose the Right Construction Lawyer in Dubai
Match the lawyer to the stage of the project
Start by defining the instruction: contract negotiation, advice during construction, preparation of a claim, settlement negotiations or formal proceedings.
For procurement and project development, compare lawyers’ experience in allocating responsibilities and negotiating project documentation. For an existing dispute, focus on relevant claims experience, evidence strategy and representation in the required forum.
Do not select a lawyer for a modest payment dispute solely because their biography lists major international projects. Ask whether the proposed staffing and budget are proportionate to your matter.
Confirm the forum and representation arrangements
Ask the lawyer to identify the contractual dispute-resolution mechanism before proposing a procedural strategy. Your consultation should distinguish between proceedings in the onshore Dubai Courts, the DIFC Courts and arbitration.
For DIFC proceedings, the court maintains registration requirements and a public practitioner register. Its guidance distinguishes different rights of audience and confirms that participation in an arbitration is not, by itself, dependent on DIFC Courts registration. Do not assume that a professional title establishes permission to undertake every type of court work. (DIFC Courts)
Ask who will handle each part of the instruction and whether additional advocates or counsel will be required.
Assess the proposed team—not only the named partner
Ask who will review the contract, prepare notices, manage documents, instruct experts and communicate with you. Request the proposed division of work between the partner and other team members.
An initial consultation should help you understand the process, not merely introduce the firm. Look for an explanation of what is known, what remains uncertain and which documents are needed to assess the case properly.
Request a written scope and phased budget
This guide does not publish “average” legal fees because comparable, matter-specific quotations were not obtained.
Ask for a written proposal separating the initial assessment, pre-action work, negotiations and potential proceedings. Request clarification on expert fees, translations, institutional or court charges, taxes and other expenses, including which items are excluded from the legal-fee estimate.
Where the matter is uncertain, ask what assumptions support the budget and what developments could change it.
What to Prepare Before Your First Consultation
Prepare a short chronology and an organised document bundle covering three areas:
The agreement: the signed contract, amendments, scope, specifications and dispute-resolution clause.
The project record: programmes, instructions, notices, correspondence, meeting minutes, photographs and relevant technical reports.
The money: payment applications, certificates, invoices, deductions, variation records and a clear calculation of the amount claimed or disputed.
Highlight any threatened termination, bond demand, impending hearing or deadline. Ask the firm to complete its conflict check and confirm a secure document-transfer process before sending a substantial confidential file.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Lawyers in Dubai
Who is the best construction lawyer in Dubai?
There is no single best lawyer for every construction matter. This guide provides a shortlist across different areas of expertise. Choose by comparing relevant experience, the proposed team, forum requirements, availability and cost—not the numerical position in a list.
Do I need a construction lawyer before signing a contract?
Consider obtaining a review before signing, particularly where the contract allocates substantial responsibility for design, completion, payment, changes or termination. Give the lawyer the full agreement and amendments, and ask for a prioritised explanation of the risks rather than a general summary.
How do I choose a lawyer for a FIDIC contract dispute?
Ask about experience with the particular contract form and edition you signed. Request a review of the amended notice provisions, claim requirements and dispute-resolution process. A useful first assessment should connect the contractual wording to the actual project records and events.
Can the same lawyer advise on a project and handle a later dispute?
Some practitioners combine project advice with dispute-resolution work. For example, Mark Blanksby’s published practice expressly includes project counsel, dispute avoidance and arbitration. Confirm the proposed lawyer’s scope, availability and representation arrangements rather than assuming that every construction practice offers the same service.
How much does a construction lawyer in Dubai charge?
Obtain a matter-specific quotation. Ask the firm to explain its billing method, staffing, assumptions, exclusions and payment requirements. Compare the proposed scope as well as the headline price: an initial document review is not equivalent to a budget for full proceedings.
Does a Dubai office mean a lawyer can appear in every Dubai court?
Do not treat office location as proof of court permissions. Ask for confirmation of the relevant registration and the identity of the person who will conduct the advocacy. The DIFC Courts, for example, maintain their own registration framework and distinguish between different rights of audience. (DIFC Courts)
Has UAE construction contract law changed in 2026?
Yes. The new Civil Transactions Law took effect on 1 June 2026. Its construction provisions include changes relevant to notices, payment adjustments and termination. The position for a particular agreement requires analysis of the contract date and applicable legal framework.
Final Thoughts: Choose for Your Project, Not Just the Ranking
Use this shortlist as the beginning of your selection process—not the final decision.
Compare two or three suitable practitioners using the same factual summary and documents. Ask each to explain the immediate priorities, the information needed, the proposed team and the likely stages of work.
Before instructing counsel, request a conflict check, an initial assessment and a written engagement proposal. The strongest appointment is one that aligns specialist experience with your project’s commercial realities.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Professional affiliations and availability may change. Inclusion does not establish current licensing status for every forum, create a lawyer-client relationship or guarantee an outcome.
