Middle East Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure Conference

As part of Vinson & Elkins’ Global Construction Conference Series we are delighted to announce we will be once again hosting our Middle East Construction Conference on Thursday, October 5th, 2023, at the Palace Downtown Hotel, Dubai.

As you will see from the program, this year’s topic is the future of contracting. It may be the fiftieth anniversary of Max Abrahamson’s “Principles” for fair risk allocation based on the often cited, but poorly understood, concept of each risk being borne by the party best placed to bear it, but faced with a reality where (1) each project and contract has a complex factual context impacting what is appropriate and ‘fair,’ (2) unprecedented supply chain disruption fuelling price escalation at every stage and level of the construction process, and (3) a more challenging market globally, is it now time for a more nuanced, pragmatic and even innovative way to approach risk allocation? Is a move away from standard form procurement to more bespoke solutions on the horizon?

There will be an opportunity to hear from a range of experienced lawyers in our global construction, engineering, and energy teams, supported by a constellation of star guest speakers from the Middle East construction market. Throughout the course of the day, they will use role play to share with you some practical tips and jurisdiction-neutral advice on how to manage the typical risks that arise during the life of major projects – run in reverse like the Harold Pinter play “Betrayal”, they will do so by reference to a series of scenarios on a fictional LNG project based in a market of ever rising gas prices.

“The construction event in São Paulo was astounding and we learned a lot with the expertise presented by V&E’s team.”

– Client testimonial on our Global Construction Conference Series

Our cast of market-leading speakers this year includes: