Securing Payment & Resolving Construction Disputes

Limeslade joins forces with CIOB and RICS
A brand new one day event in Dubai on 9^th April 2019

Globally the average construction dispute costs $43.4million. However, in the Middle East these costs almost double to an average of $91million.

The Gulf region has some of the most ambitious and impressive projects in the world. But anyone working in construction will be aware of the unique challenges faced.  To help reduce the $91m costs, on 9^th April, industry experts will gather at the Shangri-La hotel in Dubai. They will explain innovative techniques changing the face of construction disputes.

The fall in oil prices followed by an inevitable fall in property value mean that the sector is seeing a reduction in profit. Even as oil prices begin to rise, the industry is starting to realise that the current model of contracting in the Middle East is unsustainable. Both industry and the law must evolve to keep up with the rapid pace of change.

Supported by the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), expert speakers at the event in April include:

• Paul Reed QC, Hardwicke Chambers – The changing face of insurance
• Mark Andrews OBE, Laing O’Rourke – Chair of panel discussion
• Fernando Ortega, Bin Nakhira & Partners – Securing payment without courts
• Emelyn Martinez, Secretariat – Factual delay analysis
• Craig Shepherd, Herbert Smith Freehills – Enforcement: getting results
• Robert Jackson, RICS – Conflict avoidance

A real challenge in the Middle East is securing payment. Payment delays, project overruns and variations are common causes of dispute. Often the cost of litigation or difficulty enforcing awards can be a real barrier to financial success. UAE firm, Bin Nakhira & Partners are employing new methods to help contractors claim monies owed. These are especially pertinent if the contractor does not have the cash-flow to pay legal fees and court or arbitration costs.

Fernando Ortega, Head of Arbitration and Enforcement will be discussing, ‘Obtaining payment without going to arbitration or court’. He said, “We have developed strategies to apply contractual pressure to recover outstanding monies owed to these contractors. These strategies benefit contractors operating in the UAE tremendously. They allow a contractor to resolve disputes and obtain outstanding monies while preserving political and social capital.”

This is the first event of its kind organised in the region by construction and legal marketing specialists, Limeslade Consulting. It provides a unique opportunity to meet world experts in construction and law.