EXPERTISE

CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE

Bahrain has witnessed an unprecedented rate of construction activity over the last few years in all areas of the real estate sector. New and interesting real estate investment opportunities have presented themselves to various sectors of the market.

CONSTRUCTION

Construction contracts form an integral part of the economy and development of many countries and Bahrain is no exception. The number of construction projects and related contracts has increased substantially in the Gulf over the last decade and Bahrain in particular has witnessed an unprecedented construction boom. This development inevitably involves the drawing up of the internationally recognized agreements between the involved parties and amongst other things the disputes either between contractors and owners/employers or between contractors and sub-contractors. As a consequence of this, focus on construction law in Bahrain is increasing.

Our firm provides specialist contentious and non-contentious advice covering the local and international construction market. We are instructed on projects involving complex aspects of the construction industry sector, acting at different instances for project sponsors, banks, financiers, contractors and other representatives of the industry.

As construction documentation constantly needs to comply with the requirements of banks and financiers, our experience in both construction and project finance translates into a unique ability to balance the interests of contractors, sponsors and financing institutions. With regard to construction claims, we have a team of dispute specialists in local litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution with extensive experience on all aspects of Bahrain Court procedures, advocacy and general conduct of arbitration proceedings governed by international and local rules and alternative dispute resolution techniques, such as local mediation and expert appointment.

REAL ESTATE

The current real estate boom has brought fresh challenges to the underlying legal framework. Whilst the legislative process evolves, the interim period presents the property developer and investor with a confusing matrix of property ownership issues, since each real estate project has its own advantages and pitfalls.

The firm has had the exciting opportunity to have advised on construction and property law issues for some of the major flagship property developments in Bahrain. As such, we are fully abreast of developments in this evolving area of legal practice in Bahrain. This, combined with the experience of our specialist property lawyers drawn from established land law jurisdictions, ensures that the solutions we propose and the documents we draft are creative, practical in the Bahraini environment and based upon sound land law principles.

We are pleased to assist with the following:
•  Legislative & Regulatory Issues.
•  Financing & Securities.
•  Real Estate Investment Funds.
•  Freehold Transactions.
•  Commonhold/Condominium and Mixed Use Schemes.
•  Long Term Leases - Residential & Commercial.
•  Short-Term Tenancies - Residential & Commercial.

Our lawyers are regularly consulted by government and private concerns upon major property development projects underway in Bahrain, drawing upon their knowledge and experience gained from more mature Land Law jurisdictions. In addition, an integral part of the Department's practice involves advising and assisting upon Landlord and Tenant issues in relation to retail, commercial and industrial premises. We assist with:
•  Pre-contractual negotiations
•  Preparation of Tenancy Contracts and Leases
•  Terminations and dispute resolution