Ravinder Bhullar

Construction/Engineering and Civil Infrastructure

• Representing an employer, a Middle East government, in ad hoc arbitration proceedings against a contractor, a Greece-UAE joint venture, arising out of construction and commissioning of a sewage treatment plant. The dispute involves substantial claims for extension of time, compensation for alleged acceleration measures and counterclaims for liquidated damages.
• Representing an employer, a UAE government-controlled entity, in ICC arbitration proceedings against a contractor, a Hong Kong-UAE joint venture, arising out of the construction of a mixed-use tower in Dubai. These proceedings involve claims for extensions of time, prolongation costs and counterclaims for liquidated damages and other losses.
• Representing an employer, a UAE government-controlled entity, in an ad hoc arbitration, two separate DIAC arbitrations, and statutory tribunal proceedings against a UAE-based contractor, arising out of construction of infrastructure at two separate master developments in the UAE.
• Advising an employer, a UAE government-controlled utility entity, on claims asserted by a prominent Spain-based international contractor arising out of the construction of an open cycle gas turbine power station (peak load unit) in the UAE.
• Advising a main contractor, a Japanese-led consortium, on multibillion-dollar disputes and possible arbitration proceedings in relation to civil works on the Dubai Metro project. These were quite likely the largest construction disputes in the world at the time.
• Advising one of the world’s largest contractors on claims against a concession holder under an English law governed cost reimbursable construction and engineering contract regarding facilities for an iron ore mine in West Africa.
• Representing an employer, a UAE government-controlled entity, in a Dispute Adjudication Board process against a joint venture of prominent Europe-based international contractors in connection with the deep tunnel storm water system project.
• Representing a UK-based firm of architects (and its professional indemnity insurer) in Dubai International Financial Centre Court proceedings relating to the design and construction supervision of a major tower development in Dubai, UAE. This was one of the first construction disputes before the DIFC Courts.
• Representing a main contractor in separate ad hoc and DIAC arbitration proceedings in Dubai against the employer and a nominated subcontractor arising out of construction of a high-rise development in the UAE.
• Representing a subcontractor in arbitration proceedings against a China-based civil works contractor in connection with the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse development in Dubai.
• Advising a UAE-based marine engineering firm on disputes arising out of the construction of a living quarters module and helipad for an offshore gas processing plant in Indonesia.
• Advising an employer on disputes, including a DAB referral and ICC arbitration, arising out of a multibillion-dollar EPC contract regarding a large hydroelectric scheme in South America.
• Advising an international petroleum company on disputes with (i) an African government under a concession agreement and (ii) an EPC contractor, in relation to the construction of a light petroleum pipeline in Africa.
• Advising an employer, a UAE government-controlled entity, on claims and potential liabilities arising out of three substantial road interchange projects being undertaken by an Italy-based international contractor.
• Advising an India-based EPC contractor on disputes against an international petroleum company in relation to alleged delays to completion of piping works for a condensate fractionation plant in Saudi Arabia.
• Advising a Hong Kong-based international contractor on disputes with employers and subcontractors on two separate high-rise projects in Dubai.
• Advising a large US-based design consultant regarding payment disputes, and defending claims for alleged negligence, arising out of an iconic project in Dubai.

Real Estate and Hospitality

• Representing an investment bank in ICC arbitration proceedings against a global hotel operator arising out of hotel management and related agreements in respect of a hotel and branded residences project in Eastern Europe.
• Representing a UAE government-controlled developer in two DIAC arbitration proceedings against a private sub-developer in relation to the sale and purchase of land for development on a substantial coastal project. These arbitrations form part of a broader dispute, involving claims and counterclaims of around US$1 billion.
• Representing a UAE government-controlled developer in DIAC arbitration proceedings against a private sub-developer in relation to the sale and purchase of a reclaimed island in the Arabian Gulf.
• Representing a UAE government-controlled entity in DIAC arbitration proceedings against a private property developer in relation to the sale and purchase of plots on an iconic offshore development in Dubai.
• Representing a UAE government-controlled entity in five separate DIAC arbitration proceedings against private property developers in relation to the sale and purchase of plots of land in Dubai.

General Commercial

• Representing an India-based software company in ICC arbitration proceedings against a prominent US-based oilfield services company arising out of a software licensing agreement.
• Representing a group of Yemen and UAE entities in SCC arbitration proceedings against a Chinese household goods manufacturer for wrongful termination of a joint venture agreement for the distribution of goods in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Representing a UK-based household goods manufacturer in ICC arbitration proceedings against a Middle East distributor regarding termination of a commercial agency agreement.
• Representing a UAE-based commercial bank in ADCCAC arbitration proceedings arising out of alleged guarantees regarding its customer’s purchase of three high-rise buildings in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• Advising an Asia-based infrastructure provider on potential disputes under multiple English law governed agreements regarding a long-term project in Saudi Arabia.

Energy and Natural Resources

• Advising a Saudi Arabia government-controlled entity on a series of disputes arising out of power purchase agreements in connection with its IPP programme. Issues also included those arising out of corresponding EPC contracts relating to delay, quality and commissioning issues.
• Advising an international petroleum company on potential claims under a French law governed joint operating agreement and an English law governed drilling contract with respect to offshore operations in West Africa.
• Advising an international petroleum company on a dispute with a Middle East government regarding calculation of the price of diesel in a long-term supply agreement.
• Advising a Middle East government on disputes with a power generation and distribution company under a concession agreement arising out of a series of power interruptions and alleged substation faults.
• Advising an international petroleum company on potential liabilities arising under a joint operating agreement in relation to exploration in the Mediterranean Sea.

Arbitrator Appointments

• Co-arbitrator (2012-13): Dispute arising out of the sale and purchase of property in the UAE. Final award rendered (DIAC Rules, Dubai seat, UAE law).
• Chairperson (2016): Construction dispute in the UAE. Settlement reached (DIAC Rules, Dubai seat, UAE law).
• Sole arbitrator (2019-2020): Construction dispute in the UAE. Final award rendered (DIAC Rules, Dubai seat, UAE law).
• Sole arbitrator (2020-2021): Dispute arising out of the sale and purchase of multiple properties in the UAE. Final award rendered (DIFC-LCIA Rules, DIFC seat, UAE law).
• Chairperson (2023): Construction dispute in the UAE in relation to the Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal Building (ADCCAC Rules, Abu Dhabi seat, UAE law).

*Some of the experience represented here may have been handled at a previous firm.