Antonios Dimitracopoulos
Partner,
Dubai, UAE
T. +971 4 528 5555
E. antonios.dimitracopoulos@bsabh.com
Antonios is a partner and head of our Arbitration, DIFC & ADGM Litigation practice, based in our DIFC office.
He has been practicing in the UAE for more than twenty five years and is an accredited Fellow (FCIArb) of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Registered Arbitrator with the Dubai International Arbitration Centre.
As a practising Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Courts Civil Proceedings in England & Wales) he is also a DIFC and ADGM Courts Registered Practitioner (Part 2) with rights of audience before the DIFC and ADGM Courts.
He specialises in commercial disputes resolvable by arbitration and DIFC/ADGM litigation, with an emphasis in construction.
Market sources comment that Antonios is excellent, and has a strong understanding of the market and the local culture, having been in the UAE for 27 years
Areas of expertise
services
- Arbitration
- Litigation
industry
- Construction and Engineering
- Energy
- International Trade, Transport & Maritime
Highlights of experience
- Dubai based contractor in DIAC proceedings for a AED 200 million claim for unpaid invoices and prolongation costs against major local real estate developer and defending counterclaim for liquidated damages in excess of AED 180 million.
- Dubai based contractor and MEP subcontractor in DIAC proceedings for a AED 178 million claim for unpaid invoices, disputed variations and eight EoTs with associated prolongation costs against Abu Dhabi real estate developer in relation to a hotel development on the Palm Jumeirah.
- Dubai based contractor in DIAC proceedings for a AED 300 million claim for unpaid invoices and prolongation costs against major local real estate developer.
- Dubai based contractor in AED 105 million DIAC arbitral proceedings in relation to EoT, prolongation costs, loss of profit and head office overheads cost arising from a Dubai residential project.
- Dubai based MEP subcontractor in a AED 75 million DIAC arbitration in connection with claims for EoT, prolongation costs, value of disputed variations and unpaid/under-certified work in progress, arising out of the construction of a major petroleum company headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
- Abu Dhabi based main contractor in ADCCAC arbitration proceedings brought by the MEP subcontractor in connection with various claims and counterclaims totaling AED 220 million, arising from a design and built subcontract for the upgrade infrastructure of a sewerage plant.
- Abu Dhabi based main contractor in ADCCAC arbitration proceedings against a government department in connection with claims arising from the overvaluation of liquidated damages and EoT claims of AED 50 million, under a contract for the design and construction of a wildlife park and resort.
- Dubai based main contractor in DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings against a private developer for payment of AED 42 million of profit under a side agreement to the main construction contract.
Latest Insights
FIDIC any longer?
If they are heavily amended, are they FIDIC contracts any longer? Antonios Dimitracopoulos, FCIArb, Partner, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP, writes a bi-monthly column for Climate Control Middle...
The Latest Legal & Regulatory updates impacting Arbitration and DIFC Litigation in the UAE
DIFC Court of First Instance Maintains Expansive Jurisdiction of DIFC CourtsThe jurisdiction of the DIFC courts continues to expand. In a recent Order issued on 25 November 2022, Justice Sir...
Legal 500: International Arbitration in the UAE
This country specific Q&A, written for Legal 500, provides an overview of International Arbitration laws and regulations applicable in the United Arab Emirates. The full Q&A can be downloaded here:...
Legal 500: UAE International Arbitration Chapter
The following UAE International Arbitration 2022 Q&A provides an overview of International Arbitration laws and regulations applicable in the UAE. The guide was written for and published by The Legal...
Testing the legal basis of the lack-of-pursuit argument
One of the most daunting prospects for an MEP sub-contractor – or, indeed, any sub-contractor – is the possibility of being held ransom to a pay-when-paid clause. Quite commonly included...
Pay-when-paid clause can be defeated
Written byAntonios Dimitracopoulosfor MEP Middle East The often-dreaded pay-when-paid clause in subcontracts has deterred many from pursuing what is an otherwise legitimate claim. The common concern has always been that...
Virtual Hearings in arbitration: are they as effective as they are efficient?
Technology has been quick to address the need for a remote conduct of arbitration hearings, from the very early stages of the current pandemic. Efficient, affordable, and generally reliable tools...
The Dangers of Failing to Accurately Define the Terms Under which Contractual Payments are to be made
In contracts where payment is intended to be made upon the occurrence of specific events or the satisfaction of certain conditions it is paramount, for any payment claim to be...
UAE: International Arbitration
1. What legislation applies to arbitration in your country? Are there any mandatory laws? The legislation which applies to an arbitration is dependent on whether the arbitral process (i.e. the...
The Dispute Resolution Question Time 2019
The GCC's top legal experts returned to Construction Week's Dispute Resolution Questions Time 2019 conference in Abu Dhabi to demystify the root causes of construction claims, share insights on dispute...
Challenging a Tribunal Member in an Arbitration
In a construction dispute between the subcontractor and the main contractor, the chairman of a tribunal was challenged for failing to allow equal opportunities to the parties in presenting their...
Late Appointment of Tribunal Experts and Reopening of Closed Arbitral Proceedings
In a recent construction dispute under a DIAC arbitration, between a main contractor (represented by our firm) and an employer, a tribunal decided to appoint a tribunal expert, after closure...
The Comparative Legal Guide to Arbitration: UAE Chapter
The Legal 500 & The In-House Lawyer Comparative Legal Guide UAE: Arbitration This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of the legal framework and key issues surrounding arbitration law in United...
The New UAE Arbitration Law: it is not what it says but how you read it
by Antonios Dimitracopoulos After what is understood to have been very lengthy and thorough deliberations, on 3 May 2018, Federal Law No 6 of 2018 concerning arbitration (i.e. “the...
The Legal 500 & IHL Comparative Guide Legal Guide to Arbitration
Click here to view PDF Published: November 2017 Publication: The Legal 500 & IHL Comparative Guide Legal Guide to Arbitration Title: This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of the legal...
How reasoned arbitration awards and expert opinions may help prevent Article 257 of the Penal Code being triggered
It is fair to say that last year's revision of Article 257 of the Penal Code has sent ripples throughout the arbitration community that are still felt, seven months later....
Reasoned Awards and Expert opinions as a possible prevention to Article 257 being triggered
Reasoned Awards and Expert opinions as a possible prevention to Article 257 being triggered By Antonios Dimitracopoulos FCIArb It is fair to say that last year’s revision of Article 257...
BSA: Proud sponsor of a flagship conference on International Arbitration
BSA is proud to be a bronze sponsor of a flagship conference on International Arbitration to be held from the 8th to 9th of March in Dubai. The conference theme...
European and Middle East Guide To Litigation, Arbitration and ADR
Meritas Law Firms Worldwide is proud to present its European and Middle East Guide to Litigation, Arbitration and ADR. If you are facing a dispute in Europe or the Middle...
Guest speaker at British University in Dubai (BUiD)
Speaker at British University in Dubai (BUiD). Held on campus grounds in Dubai on 3 May 2016. Topic: Proposals for a subcontractor’s escape from conditional clauses Speaker:<a href="http://www.bsabh project management...
Awarding Legal Costs In Arbitration: A UAE Perspective
One of the most attractive benefits in resorting to arbitration is a tribunal’s power to award costs. These would normally include the tribunal’s fees and expenses as well as those...
Proposals For A Subcontractor’s Escape From A Conditional Clause
The common practice is that the main contractor will contractually delegate various elements of its works to specialist subcontractors. Such subcontractors may be sourced and chosen by the main contractor...
Attending MEED Construction Leadership Summit 2015
Delegate at the MEED Construction Leadership Summit. Hosted by MEED on 27 May at the Address Dubai Marina, Dubai. UAE. The conference covered a range of topics including: The war...
9th Annual In-House Congress Middle East
Co-hostat the9th annual In-House Congress Middle East Hosted by Pacific Business Press, at the Raffles hotel, Dubai on4 February 2015 Practice Area Workshop: International Arbitration in the UAE: A Case-based...
Antonios Dimitracopoulos talks at Society of Construction Law (Gulf) Event
Speakerat the Society of Construction Law (Gulf) Hosted by Society of Construction Law (SCL) atAPI Auditorium, Dubai on 13 January 2015 Pay-when-paid-clauses-in-the-UAE Speaker: Antonios Dimitracopoulos Key Discussion Points: • Differences...
Messages To Take Home From Dubai’s Arbitration Week
Dubai was filled with a fresh breeze of cutting edge arbitration practitioners in November, with GAR Live, the Alexander Lecture and the CIArb International Conference being the most significant events,...
Rebuilding Trust Between The Contractors and Developers In The UAE
With Dubai’s recovery from the last property bubble burst being now tangibly felt, are there any lessons to be learnt from the events that lead to an unprecedented increase in...
Corporate Counsel Middle East Legal Forum 2014
Sponsors and workshop hosts at the 2014Corporate Counsel Middle East Legal Forum Hosted by Legal Week at the Mina A'Salam Dubai on 14 May 2014 Re-establishing confidence in Real Estate...
The Dubai International Financial Centre Arbitration Law
The DIFC, Dubai’s, Common Law jurisdiction has recently amended its arbitration law in order to expand the jurisdiction of its Courtswith regard to staying proceedings in favour of arbitration. Antonios...
2nd Annual International Arbitration Summit
Speakerat the 2nd Annual International Arbitration Summit Hosted byWolters Kluwer Hong Kong at the Park HyattDubai on 25th February 2014 Ratifying Arbitral Awards in the UAE: crossroads between arbitration and...
In-House Congress Dubai
Co-host of In-House Congress Dubai Hosted by Pacific Business Press, at the Raffles hotel, Dubai on 26 February 2014 Practice Area Workshop:Getting an Arbitral Award worth the paper It Is...
A Matter Of Interpretation … Decisions On Arbitration Clauses In the UAE
Antonios Dimitracopoulos, Partner and Head of Arbitration, explains how local jurisprudence is likely to deal with ambiguous and contradictory dispute resolution clauses. Back in the days of frenetic financial growth,...
Drafting Dispute Resolution Clauses in the UAE
In a region that places an unusually high level of importance on procedure, lifting dispute resolution clauses from dusty contracts where they have been hibernating in silence and never tested...
Dispute Resolution in Dubai
As the abundance of disputes in the UAE continues to mount, following the property crisis that hit Dubai in 2008, everyone involved rummages through their contracts to look for the...