17/08/2026
🔴 UAE Civil Transactions Law: Articles 249, 273 & 287 | Hardship, Force Majeure & Exemption from Liability in Construction Contracts | Volume-8
A comprehensive CPD masterclass exploring how UAE Civil Transactions Law influences construction contracts, claims management, risk allocation, and dispute resolution.
In this advanced discussion, two internationally experienced construction law and contracts professionals analyse the practical application of Articles 249, 273, and 287 of the UAE Civil Transactions Law and their impact on major construction projects across the UAE, GCC, and international markets.
The session examines the critical distinction between hardship, force majeure, and exemption from liability, and explains how these legal principles operate alongside contractual mechanisms such as FIDIC, NEC, and JCT contracts.
The discussion provides practical guidance for Quantity Surveyors, Contracts Managers, Commercial Managers, Project Directors, Engineers, Claims Consultants, Delay Analysts, Arbitrators, and construction professionals involved in contract administration and dispute resolution.
Key Topics Covered:
✅ UAE Civil Transactions Law and Construction Contracts
Historical development and legal philosophy
Relationship between statutory law and contractual obligations
Mandatory legal principles and contractual risk allocation
✅ Article 249: Exceptional Circumstances and Hardship
When hardship provisions can be invoked
Requirements for proving exceptional circumstances
Meaning of "grave financial loss"
Judicial discretion and contractual adjustment
Burden of proof and supporting evidence
Why parties cannot simply exclude Article 249
Practical examples involving:
Material price escalation
Inflation
Supply chain disruption
Shipping delays
Labour shortages
Geopolitical events
Abnormal market conditions
✅ Article 273: Force Majeure and Impossibility of Performance
Definition of force majeure under UAE law
Total, partial, and temporary impossibility
Suspension versus termination of obligations
Automatic consequences under UAE law
Causation and evidence requirements
Interaction between statutory law and contractual force majeure clauses
Practical scenarios involving:
War and political instability
Government restrictions
Sanctions
Pandemics
Natural disasters
Destruction of project assets
Logistics disruption including Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz risks
✅ Article 287: Exemption from Liability
External causes and liability protection
Relationship with Articles 249 and 273
Damages and compensation principles
Successful and unsuccessful defence strategies
Contractual Comparison Includes
FIDIC 1999
Clause 19 Force Majeure
Extension of Time and Cost Entitlement
Notice requirements and claims procedures
FIDIC 2017
Clause 18 Exceptional Events
Engineer’s role
Contemporary claims management approach
NEC and JCT Contracts
Risk allocation principles
Compensation events
Relevant events and relevant matters
Construction Claims and Dispute Resolution Focus:
The masterclass also explores how UAE statutory principles interact with:
• Extension of Time claims
• Prolongation costs
• Disruption claims
• Variations and valuation
• Delay damages
• Concurrent delay
• Mitigation obligations
• Notice requirements and conditions precedent
• Expert delay and quantum reports
• Arbitration and litigation strategy
Real Project Applications:
Practical discussions include examples from:
🏗 Airports
🏗 Ports and maritime infrastructure
🏗 Highways and rail projects
🏗 Oil and gas developments
🏗 Utilities and energy projects
🏗 Hospitals
🏗 Commercial towers
🏗 Mixed-use developments
Throughout the session, the experts challenge each other with practical questions:
What would a UAE court likely decide?
Should a contractor rely on Article 249 or Article 273?
What evidence is required to support a claim?
What mistakes do contractors and claims consultants commonly make?
How should Employers evaluate exceptional event claims?
What role should the Engineer play under FIDIC?
How would an expert witness analyse the dispute?
This premium CPD masterclass provides a practical bridge between **UAE law, international contract practice, claims management, and construction dispute resolution**.
Whether you are managing a mega project, preparing a claim, reviewing contractual risk, or developing expertise in construction law, this discussion provides valuable insights into one of the most important areas of modern construction contracts.
Who Should Watch?
Topics Covered:
UAE Construction Law | UAE Civil Transactions Law | Article 249 UAE | Article 273 UAE | Article 287 UAE | Hardship Claims | Force Majeure Claims | Construction Claims | FIDIC Contracts | Construction Arbitration | Contract Administration | GCC Construction Law
🔴UAE Civil Transactions Law: Articles 249, 273 & 287 | Hardship, Fo...