Projects in times of crisis: Contractual and statutory entitlements

INTRODUCTION

Whilst COVID-19 is not the first pandemic in history, no other event has caused so much impact on the global economy. As international projects are facing unchartered territories, HKA and Kennedys join forces to launch their construction webinar series, aimed at helping contractors and employers navigate through murky waters. In this first webinar, our experts will provide you with practical insights on your entitlements and means of mitigating losses.

This webinar will tackle force majeure, unforeseen circumstances, evaluation of work stream, costs and supply chain, as well as the benefits of increased stakeholder engagement.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Contractors, Subcontractors, Owners, Developers, Engineers.

SPEAKERS

David Stapleton
Partner, HKA

David Stapleton is a testifying Quantum Expert, accredited by the Academy of Experts, with over 35 years of experience in the construction and engineering industries, providing employer representation, commercial administration, contract administration and claims advisory services in connection with new build, refurbishment, maintenance and fitting out contracts to clients in the UK and internationally.

David has major claims experience in the Middle East and has been engaged on a wide variety of consultant and Contractor related oil and gas, civil/heavy engineering, building and transport related disputes. He is experienced in the settlement of claims, claims defence, mediation, pro-actively seeking to reach amicable resolution of contentious contractual issues, providing quantum and claims defence services and has experience as a party appointed expert.

David’s experience portfolio includes many prestigious projects throughout the Middle East and South East Asia, including airports, retail malls, hotels and skyscrapers. Other project experience includes power stations (coal and gas-fired, combined-cycle gas turbine), schools, hospitals, housing developments, industrial buildings, industrial plant installations, oil and gas and related shipbuilding / heavy plant installations, sewage and water treatment and civil infrastructure projects.

Celine Abi Habib Kanakri
Partner, Kennedys

Celine is a partner in our Dubai office who specialises in UAE and international arbitration. She qualified in Lebanon in 2005 and a registered legal consultant in Dubai.
With over 10 years’ experience practicing in the Middle East, Celine’s expertise in domestic and international arbitration spans a range of industry sectors. Her focus is on UAE and international arbitration across a range of industry sectors, including real estate, commercial and construction disputes. She also has considerable experience of corporate, civil and commercial law within the UAE and has been involved in drafting several UAE decrees, laws and regulations.

Predominantly acting for multi-national corporates, construction companies and high net worth individuals, Celine has also been involved with drafting training materials for the Dubai Legal Affairs Department.

She is also fluent in Arabic, English and French, and is a member of the UAE International Chamber of Commerce and Arbitral Women. Celine also sits as arbitrator with leading institutions such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Dubai International Financial Centre and London Court of International Arbitration (DIFC-LCIA), and Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) – from whom she was awarded best sole arbitrator under the age of 40 in 2018.

Khalil Mechantaf
Senior Associate, Kennedys

Khalil is a Senior Associate in our Dubai office. He is dual-qualified in Lebanon (Beirut Bar Association) in 2009 and as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 2017. Khalil has a PhD in Law and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Khalil has over ten years of experience in dispute resolution and international arbitration. His practice focuses on contentious and non-contentious construction and energy projects. He regularly acts as counsel in arbitrations under the ICC, DIAC, DIFC-LCIA and SIAC regimes. He has acted for both developers and contractors, specifically in the infrastructure, power, water and pipelines related disputes in the Middle East and Africa. He also advises clients during the life span of a project on quantum and delay claims.

Khalil is a member of the Society of Construction Law (UK) and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.