Construction Claims, Arbitration and Expert Witness Services for the UAE
Engineer-led. FIDIC-anchored. DIAC-accredited. We help contractors, developers and law firms recover time, cost and position on high-value UAE construction disputes — in English and Arabic.
DIAC Arbitrator · Tribunal Chairman · Accredited Expert Witness · FIDIC Red / Yellow / Silver / Gold · UAE Federal Arbitration Law No. 6 of 2018
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Download the Free FIDIC Clause 20.1 Notice Template
Why UAE construction teams choose E-Basel
Engineer, not just lawyerWe are civil engineers first. That means our claims, delay analyses and expert reports stand up in arbitration because they are built on programme logic and site reality — not legal abstraction. Law firms instruct us; contractors trust us. |
UAE-specific, bilingualEvery matter we handle is grounded in FIDIC, UAE Federal Civil Code, and the practice of DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA and the onshore courts. Submissions, reports and pleadings delivered in English, Arabic, or both — without translation drift. |
Accredited and independentBasel Al Najjar sits as DIAC Arbitrator, Tribunal Chairman and Independent Expert on high-value, multi-party disputes. Instruction comes with the independence and objectivity that tribunals expect from an accredited expert. |
What we do
Four focused services for the three parties that drive UAE construction disputes — contractors, developers and the law firms advising them.
Construction Claims Consultant — UAE
Cause-and-effect analysis, EOT claims, prolongation and disruption quantification, variation valuation, and substantiated claim narratives that survive scrutiny. We anchor every submission in the contractual entitlement first, quantum second.
FIDIC Expert Witness — Dubai & UAE
Independent expert reports for arbitration and litigation across FIDIC Red, Yellow, Silver and Gold Books — 1999 and 2017 editions. CPR Part 35 and IBA Rules compliant in structure, with a clear separation of fact, assumption and opinion.
→ See how we write expert reports
Delay Analysis Expert — UAE
Forensic delay analysis using the methods tribunals accept: As-Planned vs As-Built, Time Impact Analysis, Windows Analysis, and Collapsed As-Built. Every opinion is tied to the baseline programme, the as-built record and the contractual time obligations.
Construction Arbitrator — UAE & GCC
Appointments as sole arbitrator, party-nominated arbitrator, and Tribunal Chairman under DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA and ad hoc rules. Matters include multi-party EPC, high-rise, infrastructure and interior fit-out disputes.
Who we work with
- Contractors and subcontractors preparing or defending claims for extension of time, prolongation, disruption and variation.
- Developers and employers facing liquidated damages exposure, defect allegations, or contractor claims that need testing.
- Law firms and in-house counsel requiring an engineer-expert for arbitration, litigation, or pre-dispute strategy.
Credentials that stand up in a tribunal
Accreditations: DIAC Arbitrator · Chartered Arbitrator · Accredited Expert Witness
Experience: Over two decades in UAE construction. Served as Arbitrator, Tribunal Chairman and Independent Expert on high-value, multi-party disputes.
Standards applied: FIDIC 1999 & 2017 editions · SCL Delay & Disruption Protocol · AACE International RP 29R-03 · UAE Federal Arbitration Law No. 6 of 2018 · UAE Federal Civil Transactions Law
Sectors: High-rise residential and mixed-use · Hospitality · Commercial fit-out · Infrastructure · EPC oil & gas interfaces · Authority-facing works (Trakhees, DM, DDA, DEWA)
E-Basel maintains the independence and objectivity required of an independent expert. We accept instruction from any party — contractor, employer, or counsel — and our opinions are owed first to the tribunal.
Representative matters
A selection of matters handled, anonymised to protect client confidentiality. For verified references, request our credentials pack.
High-Rise EOT & Prolongation
Role: Claims consultant to main contractor
Contract: FIDIC Red Book 1999, bespoke amendments
Issue: Significant critical-path delay to structural steel fabrication arising from late employer-issued drawings under Clause 1.9.
Outcome: Substantiated EOT and prolongation submission; matter resolved at negotiation stage.
Concurrent Delay — Mixed-Use Development
Role: Independent expert on delay
Contract: FIDIC Yellow Book 2017
Issue: Competing contractor and employer delay events on the critical path; concurrent delay analysis under SCL Protocol principles.
Outcome: Expert report delivered; apportioned liability accepted by tribunal.
EPC Variation & Quantum — Hospitality
Role: Quantum expert
Contract: FIDIC Silver Book 1999
Issue: Valuation of multiple variations under Clause 13 — scope, pricing mechanism and reasonable cost.
Outcome: Independent quantum report; variation entitlement substantiated.
Tribunal Chairman — Multi-Party Dispute
Role: Tribunal Chairman
Seat: DIAC
Issue: Multi-party interior fit-out dispute between developer, main contractor and nominated subcontractor.
Outcome: Final award issued.
A disciplined process — from first call to final submission
- Case assessment (30 minutes, no fee). We scope the issue, the contractual basis and the realistic relief available.
- Engagement letter. Clear scope, clear fee basis (fixed, capped, or hourly), clear deliverables, clear timelines.
- Analysis and drafting. Contractual entitlement first, cause-and-effect second, quantum third — in that order, every time.
- Submission or testimony. Claim narrative, expert report or arbitral submission — delivered to the standard that tribunals expect.
The FIDIC Clause 20.1 Notice Template Pack — free download
Most EOT and additional-payment claims fail on notice, not on merit. This pack contains four editable notice templates for FIDIC 1999 and 2017 editions, annotated against Clause 20.1, with the 28-day time-bar logic clearly flagged. Used by contractors, subcontractors and in-house legal across the UAE.
No spam. One email with the download link. Your details stay with E-Basel.
Facing a claim, a notice deadline, or an arbitration?
Most UAE construction disputes are won or lost in the first 28 days. Speak to a DIAC-accredited engineer-arbitrator before the time bar closes.
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Offices in Dubai · Available for instructions across the UAE and GCC