Skip to content

Paul D. Taylor

Managing Partner
Managing Partner - Dubai

Paul is a partner in the litigation, arbitration and dispute management practice group, based in the Dubai office and is Managing Partner of that office.

Paul leads the construction, disputes & arbitration practice in the Middle East, and has a depth of knowledge and experience in legal practice and the construction industry in the UAE and Middle East region having lived and practiced here since 2005. Prior to that he lived and worked in the Far East and the UK, handling global, regional and domestic construction & engineering claims, disputes and arbitrations for a range of clients on a wide variety of infrastructure, energy, engineering and construction projects.

Paul specialises in construction and engineering law focusing on contentious work, with time, loss, expense and variations being at the core of such cases. He has advised clients across a wide range of domestic and international construction projects in litigation, arbitration and ADR for regional and global clients using all widely recognised arbitration rules in various jurisdictions. He also handles commercial disputes and non-contentious construction work for his clients.

A Selection of Paul’s recent experience includes:

Construction Claims

  • acting for a contractor against a government developer arising out of construction of seven infrastructure systems on a reclaimed island project in the UAE. Systems included electrical, potable and waste water, drainage, and involved complex planning, excavation, installation and co-ordination with other services. The case included extensive claims relating to delay, disruption, technical/spec compliance, obstacles and force majeure, variations and omissions. The client was awarded a nine-figure sum, paid in full
  • acting for global construction contractor on transportation system disputes and arbitration in Qatar
  • acting for an international power plant contractor in Jordan on claims and disputes arising out of the civil and electromechanical works subcontract relating to renewable power plant construction
  • acting for a confidential client in relation to an engineering and construction dispute in Iraq, arising out of the construction of electricity substations and cabling systems
  • acting for a major Asian contractor on twin tower projects, claims and disputes in Qatar, including actions in local courts
  • representing an Abu Dhabi developer regarding significant value disputes with construction company arising out of iconic hotel development project. Provided legal advice regarding the disputes and various resolution mechanisms, as well as strategy and assessment of the merits of claims and counterclaims in excess of US$30m, including extension of time, loss, expense and penalties
  • acting for a developer of a hotel complex in the Caribbean with respect to contractual obligations to master developer and in disputes with the subcontractor
  • acting for a subcontractor in disputes over payment, workmanship, termination and materials ownership. Disputes rose on the infrastructure works for a leisure and residential development in Dubai
  • acting for a contractor during the course of construction of a new build sports stadium in Dubai. Dealing with day to day contractual issues, dispute avoidance, management and resolution, claims for extension of time, loss and expense
  • advising in arbitrations and satellite litigation regarding land agreements for an international hotel and leisure project, the arbitrations being governed by DIFC-LCIA rules. The matter settled but further disputes have arisen and remain on-going
  • acting for a UAE based developer in respect of an AED380m DIAC administrated arbitration proceeding regarding a large-scale mixed use project in Dubai. Favourable settlement reached for client prior to final arbitration hearing
  • acting for a UAE based developer in regards to a more than AED1bn DIAC administrated arbitration proceeding regarding a large-scale mixed use project in Dubai. Favourable settlement reached for client prior to final arbitration hearing
  • acting for a developer in two concurrent arbitrations in DIAC, defending claims for extension of time, loss and expense arising out of a hotel and leisure resort and development in Dubai. Counterclaims and claims exceed AED250m
  • acting for a Dubai based contractor with respect to DIAC administered arbitration proceedings brought by a developer for alleged unlawful termination of a construction contract. The developer was seeking over AED80m in damages. The client’s counter-claim was more than AED100m and was fully upheld, without any set off
  • acting for a main contractor in disputes and arbitration with a subcontractor relating to installation of drainage and irrigation infrastructure systems on a major tunnelling project in the UAE
  • acting for a joint venture comprising UAE, Iraqi and Lebanese subcontractors at a golf and residential development against a government developer on the installation of electrical systems and infrastructure, including substations and connecting cabling to mains, golf course facilities and individual villas, technical issues as to design and specification requirements, force majeure regarding technical and financial feasibility of works. The matter was settled for an eight-figure sum
  • advising a global contractor on issues and claims arising from a water supply project and contracts in Iraq, including construction of water treatment plants, and associated power substations by a JV for the local authority; the claims and disputes included time and expense, as well as technical engineering interpretation of specifications, tender and drawings
  • advising a main contractor on issues arising out of a road building contract in Iraq including issues as to engineering feasibility, delay and disruption costs
  • acting for a global supplier of logistics and security services on contracts in Iraq, including disputes over contractual requirements, KPIs and staffing levels, with the matter about to enter an LCIA arbitration
  • advising a local Iraqi contractor on supply and delivery contracts with a US company, including issues of non-payment for goods and services, with disputes in local Iraq courts and in parallel in arbitration
  • advising on extensive claims for time, cost and variations relating to an aluminium rolling plant in Saudi Arabia. The matter settled favourably after extensive review and analysis of the claims and legal opinion on issues of law and jurisdiction

Dispute Adjudication Boards (DAB)

  • acting for a global contractor in DAB proceedings on a transportation project in Dubai
  • acting for a Dubai based developer in respect of concurrent adjudications arising out of multiple hotel developments and construction projects in Dubai with total claim value over AED200m
  • acting on multiple DABs arising out of construction of residential towers in Dubai. Defending interim claims brought by the contractor against the developer in relation to time/delays loss and expense

Local Courts

  • advising and managing litigation brought against a UK engineering company in Abu Dhabi courts. Successful defence of large claims for delay and disruption and successful recovery of counterclaim for fees in proceedings through to court of cassation
  • enforcing an ICC arbitration award, with seat in London, through the DIFC Courts, following an arbitration regarding consultancy and sponsorship services related to a residential and leisure development in Dubai
  • conducting litigation in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi courts with local advocates for various commercial clients arising out of a wide range of contracts and appointment

Arbitral Appointments

  • nominated and appointed as co-arbitrator on DIAC arbitrations involving various property and construction disputes in Dubai. Sitting as co-arbitrator throughout the process up to and including issue of final award of the tribunal
  • Paul is a regular contributor to construction press in both the UAE and UK
  • Paul has been past chairman and panellist for a variety of construction conferences, held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
  • Paul is a founding member of, and speaker at, the Society of Construction Law (Gulf Branch) seminars in the region
  • ranked in Band 3 of the Construction: (Dispute Resolution) - United Arab Emirates Legal Rankings in Chambers & Partners 2021
  • ranked as a Recommended Global Leader and a Thought Leader for Construction in Who’s Who Legal 2021

He is described as “very pragmatic, his advice is very commercially oriented and reflects the needs of the business."

Paul Taylor has a beautiful manner with clients and experts. He has rock solid knowledge of the construction sector particularly in the Middle East. He and his team prepare the case meticulously, deal robustly with difficult opposition and work all hours to get the results.” - Legal 500

On Construction claims, Paul was noted as:
a fantastic lawyer”, and “brilliant at getting everyone to work together.” – Who’s Who Legal 2021

Ranked in Chambers Global 2019, 2020

  • England and Wales (1992)

 

  • LL.B., University of Hull, UK, 1990
  • Affiliated with the Associate of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK and UAE)
  • Founder Committee Member of Society of Construction Law (UAE)
Paul Taylor

Managing Partner

Managing Partner - Dubai

Paul Taylor

Managing Partner

Managing Partner - Dubai

Email