Construction Arbitrator
Construction Arbitrator — UAE and the GCC
Appointments as sole arbitrator, party-nominated arbitrator, and Tribunal Chairman under DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA and ad hoc rules. Engineer-arbitrator with two decades of UAE construction practice.
DIAC Arbitrator · Tribunal Chairman · Accredited Expert Witness · FIDIC Red / Yellow / Silver / Gold · UAE Federal Arbitration Law No. 6 of 2018
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Construction disputes need arbitrators who understand programmes.
Most arbitrators on UAE construction disputes come from a legal background. They are skilled in procedure but slow on the technical issues — programmes, productivity, plant utilisation, concurrent delay, valuation methodology. The result is awards that take longer to draft and harder to defend on appeal.
An engineer on the tribunal changes the pace of technical evidence assessment. Questions are sharper. Cross-examination of technical witnesses is more incisive. Concurrent expert sessions (“hot-tubbing”) add genuine value, not just theatre. The tribunal understands the records without over-explanation.
An engineer on the tribunal changes the timetable, the technical depth, and the quality of the award.
Arbitrator appointments — institutional and ad hoc
Available for appointment under DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA and ad hoc rules. Direct conduct from appointment through to reasoned award.
Sole Arbitrator Appointment
Appointment under DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA or ad hoc rules. Direct conduct of the arbitration through procedural orders, hearing and award.
Party-Nominated Arbitrator
Appointment as arbitrator nominated by one party, sitting on a three-member tribunal with co-arbitrators and presiding chair.
Tribunal Chairman / Presiding Arbitrator
Chair appointment on three-member tribunals, including agreed-and-third-arbitrator and institutional appointments.
Emergency Arbitrator and Interim Measures
Acceptance of emergency arbitrator appointments where the rules permit, with same-week determination of urgent interim relief applications.
Why UAE construction parties choose E-Basel as arbitrator
Engineer, not just arbitratorTechnical evidence is assessed against the records and the methodology, not just heard and noted. Concurrent expert sessions add efficiency. Cross-examination is technically rigorous. Awards are technically defensible. |
UAE-specific, bilingualEvery procedural order, hearing conduct and award is grounded in FIDIC, UAE Federal Civil Code, DIAC, ADCCAC and DIFC-LCIA practice. Proceedings conducted in English, Arabic, or both. Awards structurally sound under UAE arbitration law. |
Accredited and independentDIAC-listed arbitrator. Tribunal Chairman on multi-party disputes. Full conflicts disclosure and contemporaneous impartiality. Procedural independence respected; awards resistant to set-aside challenge. |
From appointment to award
Disciplined procedural conduct from first order to final award. Timetable set, evidence managed, reasoning clear.
- 1
Conflicts and Acceptance
Full conflicts review against parties, counsel, witnesses and prior matters. Disclosure if any contact requires it.
- 2
Procedural Order No. 1
First-stage procedural order setting timetable, evidentiary rules, expert protocol and document production scope.
- 3
Hearings and Evidence
Conduct of hearings with disciplined timekeeping, structured cross-examination protocols, and concurrent expert sessions where appropriate.
- 4
Deliberation and Award
Reasoned award delivered within the procedural timetable, structured for enforcement and resistant to set-aside challenge.
Representative matters
A selection of arbitrations handled as sole arbitrator, party-nominated arbitrator or Tribunal Chairman. For verified references, request the credentials pack.
Tribunal Chairman — Multi-Party Fit-Out Dispute
Role: Tribunal Chairman
Seat: DIAC
Issue: Multi-party dispute between developer, main contractor and nominated subcontractor over interior fit-out scope, defects and payment.
Outcome: Final award issued.
Sole Arbitrator — Variation and Quantum Dispute
Role: Sole Arbitrator
Seat: DIAC
Issue: Disputed variation valuations under Clause 13 of FIDIC Yellow Book; quantum-led arbitration with limited factual dispute.
Outcome: Final award issued.
Party-Nominated Arbitrator — EPC Performance Dispute
Role: Party-nominated arbitrator
Seat: ad hoc, UAE-seated
Issue: EPC contractor’s performance and rectification obligations on a hospitality project; multi-issue technical and contractual dispute.
Outcome: Final award issued.
Credentials that stand up in a tribunal
 |
Eng. Mohamad Basel Al NajjarCivil Engineering Consultant · DIAC Arbitrator · Tribunal Chairman · Accredited Expert Witness |
Panel and Accreditations: DIAC-listed Arbitrator · Chartered Arbitrator · Tribunal Chairman (multiple appointments) · Accredited Expert Witness
Experience: Over two decades in UAE construction. Served as sole arbitrator, party-nominated arbitrator and Tribunal Chairman on high-value, multi-party construction disputes under DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA and ad hoc rules.
Standards and Practice: 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 · DIAC Rules 2022 · DIFC-LCIA Rules
Technical Expertise: Delay and disruption analysis · Variation and quantum valuation · Programme review and causation · EPC and infrastructure disputes · Multi-party and nominated-subcontractor disputes
E-Basel maintains the independence, impartiality and objectivity required of an arbitrator. Proceedings are conducted with procedural discipline, technical rigour, and timeliness.
Considering an arbitrator nomination or appointment?
A 30-minute call to confirm availability, conflicts position, and procedural approach. No fee for the conversation; full CV and prior-matter list available.
Common questions
What rules and seats do you sit under?
DIAC (Dubai), ADCCAC (Abu Dhabi), DIFC-LCIA, and ad hoc UAE-seated arbitrations. Cross-border GCC matters considered case by case.
Are you on the DIAC panel?
Yes. DIAC-listed arbitrator. Full panel and accreditation details available on request.
Will you accept emergency arbitrator appointments?
Yes, where the institutional rules provide for emergency arbitrator procedure and the urgency justifies the appointment. Same-week determination on interim relief applications is standard.
How do you handle technical expert evidence as an arbitrator?
As an engineer-arbitrator, technical evidence is assessed against the records and the methodology, not just on cross-examination performance. Concurrent expert sessions (“hot-tubbing”) are used where they add efficiency.
What is your typical award timeframe?
Awards are delivered within the procedural timetable set in PO No. 1. For standard construction disputes, that is typically four to six months from end of hearing, depending on complexity.
Considering an appointment or a nomination?
Conflicts check and availability confirmed within two business days. Full CV, panel details and prior-matter summary available for circulation to parties.
Book a 30-Minute Case Assessment →
Offices in Dubai · Available for instructions across the UAE and GCC
Other E-Basel services
Construction Claims Consultant ·
FIDIC Expert Witness ·
Delay Analysis Expert