Michael J. Lawrence

International Arbitrator, Chartered Civil Engineer, and Chartered Construction Manager.

About

Michael is an arbitrator who specialises in disputes relating to the construction and engineering sectors. His wide international experience and knowledge of these sectors equip him to swiftly understand the issues in large and complex disputes.

Michael J. Lawrence - Arbitrator

Michael is a Chartered Civil Engineer with experience across a broad range of construction and engineering projects where he has acted as the Employer, the Project Manager, the Engineer and the Contractor. He speaks Spanish fluently and has an interest in blockchain technology as applied to the construction and engineering industries.

At present Michael focuses on Commercial Management, Contracts, Claims and Disputes where he acts for a range of Employers, Contractors and Subcontractors as well as sitting as Arbitrator.

Download CV
Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators

2019

Freedom of the City of London

2017

Associate Member of the Dubai Arbitration Centre

2014

Certificate of Working Safely

2012

Chartered Engineer (C.Eng)

1987

Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme

2019

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)

2014

Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB)

2014

European Engineer (Eur.Ing)

1990

Member of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE)

1986

Experience
Present Positions

Insite, a Project Management Consultancy based in Dubai. 2015 - Present

Founder of Bloqwork a construction technology start-up. 2019

Project Director

Abu Dhabi office of E.C.Harris (Arcadis) on several large projects in the UAE. 2010 - 2015

Director of Planning & Operations

At Blue City Company in Oman managing infrastructure and operations for a new city project. 2007 - 2010

Executive Director

At Abu Dhabi Investment House responsible for managing Real Estate development. 2006 - 2007

Senior Project Manager

At Faithful & Gould on several large projects based in Dubai. 2005 - 2006

Spain

Worked for Y.J.Lovells, Balfour Beatty (Heery), and Faithful & Gould on a variety of projects in roles from Project Manager to Country Manager. Spent two years back in the UK (1996-8) working on a project at Heathrow Airport as Construction Manager. 1990 - 2005

Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Arbitration

College of Estate Management, Reading University, Reading, Berkshire. 2012 - 2014

NEBOSH International Certificate in Construction Health & Safety

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety & Health. 2014

Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management

College of Estate Management, Reading University, Reading, Berkshire. 2008 - 2011

Master in Business Administration

College of Estate Management, Reading University, Reading, Berkshire. 2008 - 2011

BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering

Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey. 1978 - 1981

Ordinary National Certificate in Construction

Guildford College of Technology, Guildford, Surrey. 1974 - 1978

Services

Contract & Commercial Management

If a Party properly manages their Contract on a day-to-day basis throughout the project duration, disputes can be minimised, or at least if they arise, a Party has properly prepared, substantiated documentation ready. Michael works through his company Insite to advise Parties on a regular basis throughout the project and assist in commercial and contract matters.

Claims

Before a formal dispute arises, a Party has to present its claim to the other Party for negotiation and hopefully, settlement. Michael works through his company Insite to support Parties in compiling their claims or responding to claims presented. He also assists through the negotiation process in order to reach settlement.

Dispute Resolution

Michael acts as an independent arbitrator or representing one of the Parties as Counsel, or Co-counsel advising in a technical or contract role. Where experts are required he appoints the relevant professionals and coordinates their inputs. Michael also advises on the correct dispute resolution strategy pre-arbitration and where Mediation is called for works with a partner in this respect.

RECENT EXPERIENCE

Contract and Commercial Management

Acting as the Engineer under the Contract for an Abu Dhabi government entity for a project in Fujairah.

With the Design Team on contract and commercial matters on a fit-out project at Ferrari World and Yas Water World, Abu Dhabi.

For an MEP Subcontractor on a large residential and mixed use project in Al Ain.

For a Contractor on a number of residential and hospitality projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

With an interior fit-out company on various projects in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Acting as the Engineer under the Contract on two projects in Al Ain for an Abu Dhabi government entity.

With an MEP Subcontractor on a Hotel project in Abu Dhabi.

Claims

Representing the Employer on issues related to claims at the Burjuman Shopping Centre, Dubai.

Representing the Contractor on a claim for an infrastructure project in the Western region of Abu Dhabi.

Representing the Contractor on a claim for a Hotel project in Fujairah.

Working with the party representing the Employer on a claim for a large Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Representing the Subcontractor on claims related to the Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal Project.

Reviewing and reporting on a number of extension of time claims submitted by Contractors on behalf of a Dubai Government entity.

Representing the Subcontractor on a claim for a project in Expo 2020.

Representing the Contractor to settle claims for a Hotel project in Dubai South.

Dispute Resolution

Acting as Counsel for a DIFC-LCIA arbitration on behalf of a Subcontractor v’s a Contractor (all claims successful).

Assisting the Contractor’s team in a large DIAC arbitration related to a project in Jumeirah Lake Towers (Claim successful).

Assisting the Contractor’s team on two DIFC-LCIA arbitrations related to a Hotel project in Dubai.

Assisting a Contractor with litigation in the Dubai Courts against a large Developer in Dubai.

Representing a Subcontractor with the initial steps for an arbitration in ADCCAC Abu Dhabi (settled).

Projects

Here are a selection of projects that Michael has been involved with

1

Abbey Road St.Johns Wood
1

Featherstone Street, London
1

Callender hamilton bridges
2

Heathrow Terminal Baggage System
4

Refurbishment of Croydon Whitgift Centre
5

Refurbishment of OH Transmission Lines
5

Extension to Hogsmill Sewage Treatment Works
5

Oxted Landfill Site
1

Trinidad to Ayolas HV Line Paraguay
1

Coronales Apartments Madrid
1

Crisalis Office Building Madrid
1

Esporta Gymnasiums Spain
1

Fit out for MBNA Las Rozas (now Oracle)
1

Frankie & Benny's Spain
1

Global Switch Data Centre Madrid
1

Kings College School La Moraleja
1

Omani Pavilion Expo 92 Seville
1

Shopping Centre Gran Via de Vigo
1

Shell Petrol Stations Spain & Portugal
1

White Pearl Beach Marbella
1

Entertainment City Lusail City
1

Porta Reef
1

Sunset Hills Al Areen
1

The Lagoon Amwaj Islands
1

Beirut Gate
1

Blue City
1

Kuantan Port Expansion
1

Kingdom Tower Jeddah
1

ACICO Towers Sheikh Zayed Road
1

Al Ain Phase 2 Mixed Use Development
1

Fujairah Grain Terminal
1

Jumairah Lake Towers
1

Landmark Tower Abu Dhabi
1

New York University Abu Dhabi
1

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Masjid Al Ain
1

UAE University Al Ain (Phase 3)

What People Say

We are always grateful for your enthusiasm and dedication to our company as well as your ability to guide us through the complication of these matters.

Patrick Saade - Managing Partner – BOHEC Middle East

The knowledge you have demonstrated has always been most welcome in informing us of the unfolding events in relation to our claims.

Francis Peter Terrace - Managing Director – Setiakon Builders LLC

We would like to express our warmest appreciation for your unfailing service to us over the past year.

Jihad Diab- General Manager – Mosart Marble & Mosaic International SAL

Our demands were always met with good grace to help and that made working with your company a pleasure.

Joseph Iliovits- Chairman – Spazio Design & Build International SAL

Latest News

Michael publishes articles on contracts, claims and the use of blockchain in the construction industry and is recognised as an authoritative speaker on matters relating to construction in the UAE.

What is the Construction Industry Outlook in the Wake of COVID-19

Michael J. Lawrence, Director of INSITE Project Management talks about the challenges they have faced due to COVID-19 and the steps they have taken to overcome them. We would like to hear from you as well.

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A Brave New World Post COVID for Construction?

I want you to use your imagination for a moment and look into the near future. Let’s imagine that COVID-19 is no longer mentioned in the news. Its finally been eradicated or reduced to the extent that life has resumed to some sort of normality.

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Contagion and Construction – FIDIC and the Coronavirus in the UAE

At the time of writing it is estimated that nearly 500 people have died as a result of the coronavirus in China, whilst the first death outside the country has been reported in the Philippines.

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Business Continuity Plan: Running Your Business During a Global Crisis

The current global crisis has led many businesses to learn more about protecting themselves. Are you worried about your business continuity? Learn from our industry experts.

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Thinking Caps On!!

Mashreq Bank in partnership with MEED have published a white paper with recommendations for change from the UAE Construction industry.It represents the views of the UAE Construction Think Tank, a focus group of leading industry stakeholders from some of the largest companies in the sector....

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Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay?

The expression “Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!” comes from the name of an Italian farce by Dario Fo. In Italian the title of his play, “Non Si Paga! Non Si Paga!” can be translated as “Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!” since “Non Si Paga”, can be translated as both we are not able to pay, and we are not willing to pay, depending on the...

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Nomination of Subcontractors in the UAE

The UAE has benefited from tremendous growth since the discovery of oil there in the 1960s. Such growth continues despite the current low oil price, providing ample opportunities for construction companies in the lead up to Dubai’s Expo 2020. The traditional form of contract based on the...

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Crisis for Gulf Construction Companies

Drake & Skull announced plans for a major restructuring after suffering losses in 2016 of AED 787M, an improvement on 2015 when they lost AED 939M. A few days back 8,000 employees of the 40 year old company Saudi Oger received letters announcing that 31st July 2017 will be their last day at work.

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Delay and Disruption: A New Protocol

The Society of Construction Law (SCL) has just published the 2nd Edition of its Delay and Disruption Protocol (the Protocol) which is available here at the SCL web site. The object of the Protocol is to, "provide useful guidance on some of the common delay and disruption issues that arise on construction projects".

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Can you Afford to Pursue your Claim

In many instances when Contractors, Subcontractors or Employers reach that fork in road of “do I go legal or not”, the biggest factor is the cost of proceeding v’s the risk of losing. This post looks at the options available.The costs are high. It is not atypical to spend at least 10% of the amount in...

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Contractor’s Fact Tough Times in the UAE

Contractors across the UAE are facing tough market conditions, with cash flow constraints and greater competition for fewer contracts placing a squeeze on margins.Expo 2020 is just around the corner now but much of the anticipated bonanza from Expo and related projects has yet to kick off.

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Contact me

2215 Burlington Tower, Business Bay
PO Box 215875 Dubai, UAE

+971 (0)50 154 5329

+971 (0)4 367 4916

mjlawrence.arbitrator@protonmail.com

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