Dubai Chamber hosts conference on 'International Construction Contracts and Resolution of Disputes'

Buamim highlighted these issues in his welcoming speech which he conducted at the 'International Construction Contracts and Resolution of Disputes' conference which was yesterday hosted by Dubai Chamber, and organized by the ICC International Court of Arbitration, in cooperation with FIDIC.

The conference was attended by Professor Pierre Tercier, Chairman of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Dr. Ahmed Saif Belhasa, Chairman of the ICC-UAE and Chairman of the UAE Contractors' Association, and a large number of international commercial arbitrators, construction engineers, contractors, legal consultants and representatives of government departments and other financial institutions.

'Choosing Dubai as a venue for this conference reflects the importance of the emirate as the site of the world's largest construction boom, and its importance as a major business hub in the region due to its developing economy and open market policy. It also reflects Dubai Chamber's integrated relation with the ICC and its effective role in commercial arbitration and dispute resolution,' said Buamim.

He pointed out that the rapid growth of Dubai's economy could sometimes lead to commercial disputes that Dubai Chamber is keen to resolve through arbitration means, thanks to its effective relation with the ICC International Court of Arbitration, especially after the UAE has joined the New York Convention, and due to the country's consultation on a new federal arbitration law based on international best practices, and a clear intention to institutionalize effective dispute resolution at the highest levels.

Buamim said the conference is an important event because of the significant topics it discuses about the procedures for claims and disputes resolution in international construction contracts under the umbrella of the FIDIC, in addition to the explanation it offers about the legal entitlements of the contractor and the employer.

Buamim added that the conference provides an opportunity for the Dubai Chamber's members working in the construction sector to explore the practical implications of resolving disputes which emerge of the international construction contracts and current development, particularly in the Gulf region, in addition to the issues that contractors should pay more attention on while dealing with the construction contracts to avoid any future dispute.

Various lectures and presentations are scheduled to be conducted during the two-day conference. The first day sessions discussed an overview of the FIDIC contract forms and the new Multilateral Development Bank's (MDB) contract, specific features of the FIDIC silver book, dealing with the unforeseeable events, dispute boards, and the sub-clause 20.5 of the FIDIC contracts and amicable dispute resolution.

The second day sessions will discuss the typical problems in preparing, presenting and refuting claims in arbitration, multi dispute resolution procedures, dealing with disputes among third parties, Arab perspective on international construction disputes in the Gulf, dispute resolution and construction contracts in the UAE and the Arab states, and the enforcement of arbitral awards and practical problems.