The Legal 500

The names of Mark Blanksby and Michael Grose at Clyde & Co LLP are synonymous with excellence in construction work. The ‘absolutely stellar’ Blanksby ‘can narrow the issues and head off problems at the pass’, while Grose is a ‘leading individual’. The group’s strength on contentious matters resulted in a notable increase in work in 2010. On the non-contentious side, David McElveney led a team that acted for Transfield Services International as part of a concession bidding to design, build, finance and operate the Mafraq-Ghweifat Highway.

Pinsent Masons represents clients such as Siemens, Dubai Holdings, and Emirates National Oil Company, and is widely recognised as a leading construction practice. The team advised German General Hospital on the AED25m procurement of a new general hospital and cardiovascular unit in Abu Dhabi, and acted for Roshan on its new headquarters in Kabul. Michelle Nelson has a ‘strong profile in the market’, while Sachin Kerur comes highly recommended, and has the added advantage of ‘understanding Indian construction industry practices’.

SNR Denton is ‘committed to meeting tight deadlines on short notice’, and ‘sets itself apart from the competition by the length of time it has been established in the region; it has lawyers who are able to advise in depth on local law issues and draft documents straight into Arabic’. The team acted for the government’s supervision committee regarding the development of the $4.8bn Midfield Terminal Building at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and represented JT Metro JV on approximately $3bn worth of claims arising from the development of the Dubai Metro. While David Courtney-Hatcher moved to the firm’s Oman office, the impressive team of David Risbridger, Michael Kerr, Paul Stothard and consultant Peter Shaw continue to operate from the UAE.

The ‘very professional, prompt, and experienced team’ at Hadef & Partners makes it one of the best choices of local law firms for construction work. The group acted for PAL Technology regarding EPC contracts on desalination, district cooling, and potable water pipeline projects, and represented a consortium regarding claims in connection with the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse development. Anthony Edwards rates highly for his ‘keen awareness and strong understanding of the UAE market’.

Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP continued to build on its impressive track record. It advised Mubadala Development Company on construction aspects of the Sowwah Island development and assisted TDIC in negotiating an infrastructure development agreement with ADWEA and ADSSC, pursuant to which TDIC will construct various wastewater and water infrastructure. The team secured panel positions with Aldar and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipal Affairs. Jonathan Brufal and Martin Preston are the key construction partners.

The team at Reed Smith is ‘efficient, hardworking, and understands what is important to the client’; and its ‘attention to detail is really first class’. Recent highlights include advising Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council on the construction and real estate aspects of the Abu Dhabi Capital District development, as well as acting for Reem Developers on its $8bn Al Reem Island development. Clients are ‘most impressed with the overall high standard of advice’ provided by counsel Chau Ee Lee.

Trowers & Hamlins has a long history in the region, and offers local law expertise that is almost unmatched among other international law firms in the UAE. The group, which includes Andrew Greaves and Michael O’Reilly, continued to advise Arcapita Bank regarding the Victory Real Estate joint venture with Dubai Sports City.

Al Tamimi & Company’s ‘very proficient and professional’ construction practice has really bloomed since the recruitment of ‘solid, sensible construction specialist’ Steven Hunt from Nakheel in late 2009. The team is a regular feature in construction work in the real estate sector.

DLA Piper Middle East LLP felt the impact of the financial crisis more than much of the competition due to the amount of work the firm traditionally handled for Nakheel. However, David Nancarrow is recommended and continues to act for clients such as Abener Energia, Aldar Properties, and Abu Dhabi General Services.

HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP regularly handles construction work for contractors. Clients appreciate that the team ‘not only provides legal advice, but also considers practical solutions that may ultimately negate legal proceedings’. ‘On top of having in-depth knowledge of construction law and the local market’, Paul Taylor is ‘very practical when discussing and suggesting solutions and strategies’.

The Habib Al Mulla & Company partnership ‘marries local and expatriate talent into a single service’, and has ‘better knowledge of local courts and interpretation of local law’ than much of the competition. Karim Nassif is the key contact.

Craig Shepherd heads the construction practice at Herbert Smith LLP. The group’s track record includes representing Jumeirah Capital and Iskandar Investment Berhad on construction in Iskandar Malaysia, and representing a consortium on its bid for the Mafraq-Ghweifat highway project in Abu Dhabi.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP recruited construction litigation partner Paul Suckling from Ince & Co to head its team in Dubai. The firm also hired senior associate Anthony Page from HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP, where he spent six years in the construction department, including three in Dubai.

Nick Carnell and Mark Wilson at Kennedys represent insurers, developers, contractors, and construction professionals. The team’s clients include ACE Global, Dubai International Arbitration Centre, and Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche.

LG’s advice is ‘prompt, logical, easy to understand, and focused’, and the team is highly recommended for contentious construction work. Clients include Eversendai Engineering, Kalahari Minerals, and Saad Group. James Foster is a ‘very experienced, able and personable construction lawyer, and probably one of the top ten in Dubai’.

Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP advised the Abu Dhabi government on developing the $10bn MBZ City, and acted for a petrochemicals producer on its $2.6bn expansion of existing facilities at Borouge 3. Adrian Cole, a qualified lawyer and quantity surveyor, is recommended for construction work on major projects.

Taylor Wessing (Middle East) LLP largely focuses on contentious construction work, and is representing an international contractor in ICC proceedings regarding a motorway development in Qatar. Mark Fraser is ‘extremely knowledgeable in construction and insurance law, as well as local practices’, and ‘offers clear and concise opinions that cut directly to the heart of the matter while addressing all salient points’.

WongPartnership LLP’s Paul Sandosham is advising International Capital Trading as the developers of the AED1.6bn National Towers project, and acting for Al Nahda Investment and Emirates Land Group, one of the largest private property developers in Abu Dhabi, on the contracts for the Shining Towers development.