Cheryl Cairns

Cheryl is the Resident Managing Partner in the firm’s Dubai office, and specialises in both contentious and non-contentious construction law. Most recently Cheryl has acted on behalf of a specialist systems subcontractor, the Claimant, in an AED 282m claim raised under the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) Rules. The claim concerns unpaid certified sums, unpaid uncertified sums, in excess of 200 variations, an extension of time claim and associated loss and expense together with financing charges. The role has involved drafting of all pleadings, attendance at preliminary and procedural hearings, meeting with and obtaining proofs of evidence form witnesses of fact and liaising with engineering, delay and quantum experts appointed. As well as contentious matters, Cheryl regularly advises clients on procurement issues, amendments to redress the balance of risk in standard form building contracts, consultancy agreements and forms of security.