Legal Representation for Architectural and Interior Design

From copyright disputes and intellectual property protection to licensing, contract enforcement, liability defense, and unpaid fee recovery, our law firm stands as your advocate in every legal challenge.

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  Architectural and interior design firms are the creative drivers of Bahrain’s construction and real estate industries. They transform visions into tangible spaces, from high-rise towers and residential communities to luxury hotels and commercial interiors. Yet their role also exposes them to unique legal risks: designs copied without credit, unpaid consultancy fees, disputes with developers or contractors, regulatory compliance challenges, and liability claims tied to alleged design defects.

At Manal Dhahi Legal Consultants, we recognize that architectural and interior design firms need more than advice — they need legal representation. When disputes arise, your firm requires an advocate who can enforce contracts, recover fees, defend against negligence claims, and protect your intellectual property. With deep experience in construction law, intellectual property law, and dispute resolution, we represent design professionals at every stage — ensuring your creative and commercial rights are protected under Bahraini law.

We represent architectural and interior design firms across a full spectrum of legal issues, including:

  • Contract Enforcement & Payment Recovery → pursuing unpaid consultancy fees, enforcing milestone payments, and litigating overdue invoices.
  • Design Liability Defense → defending firms against claims of negligence, unsafe design, or defects.
  • Intellectual Property & Copyright Protection → enforcing ownership of designs, drawings, BIM models, and creative assets.
  • Regulatory & Licensing Representation → representing firms in disputes with Urban Planning, municipalities, or regulatory authorities.
  • Client & Contractor Disputes → legal action in cases of contract termination, scope changes, or misuse of designs.
  • Interior Design Fit-Out Disputes → representing firms in renovation, fit-out, or luxury design disputes with developers and property owners.
  • International Collaboration Issues → legal support in cross-border design contracts, joint ventures, and disputes with foreign partners.
  • Contract Drafting & Enforcement: Drafting, reviewing, and enforcing consultancy agreements, including litigating breach of contract and ensuring payment and liability clauses are clear.
  • Payment Recovery & Fee Protection: Aggressively pursuing overdue fees through demand letters, court representation, and arbitration to enforce outstanding balance and retention claims.
  • Intellectual Property Protection: Securing copyright registration for designs and creative works, and taking legal action against the copying or theft of proprietary designs and brand identity.
  • Design Liability Defense: Representing firms against claims of unsafe or defective designs, working with technical experts to limit liability through strategic legal and contractual defense.
  • Regulatory Representation: Handling disputes with authorities over urban planning and municipal approvals, and ensuring compliance with zoning, building codes, and safety regulations.
  • Interior & Fit-Out Dispute Resolution: Providing representation for disputes related to project execution, delays, defects, and non-payment in luxury and commercial design projects.
  • Arbitration & Mediation: Representing firms in major arbitration forums (like BCDR, ICC) and facilitating mediation to resolve design-related conflicts efficiently.
  • Corporate Structuring & Joint Ventures: Providing legal structuring for joint ventures and design collaborations, including protection of IP ownership and partner dispute resolution.

  • Recovered millions of BHD in unpaid consultancy fees for design firms.
  • Defended architects in multi-million dinar liability disputes involving design defects.
  • Enforced copyright over copied architectural designs in high-profile cases.
  • Secured Urban Planning approvals through legal appeals.
  • Represented interior design firms in luxury hotel and retail disputes.

Our legal approach 

1
Technical Collaboration

We partner with sector specialists to align legal terms with operational requirements and deliverables.

2
Risk Forecasting

Our contract strategies proactively identify and mitigate legal and financial risks before they arise.

3
Rapid Legal Response

From cease & desist letters to urgent court filings, we act quickly to defend our clients’ interests.

4
Transparent Client Experience

We maintain open, honest, and direct communication throughout every phase — from consultation to resolution.

Protect Your Creativity. Defend Your Rights.​

At Manal Dhahi Legal Consultants, we provide specialized legal representation to architectural and interior design firms in Bahrain. 

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Consultancy contracts, copyright registrations, licensing approvals, and notarized agreements.

Yes, we issue legal notices, represent you in court, and pursue arbitration to recover dues.

We register copyrights, trademarks, and enforce rights through litigation or customs seizures.

Yes, we represent you in court, using engineering expert reports for technical defense.

Yes, we represent firms before regulatory bodies and appeal rejected permits.

Clear scope, milestone payments, IP ownership, and limited liability clauses.

Yes, we handle arbitration under BCDR, ICC, and DIAC.

We escalate through legal notices, litigation, or enforcement of contract clauses.

Yes, we register designs and pursue legal action against unauthorized use.

We assist with renewals and defend against penalties.

Yes, Mrs. Manal Dhahi notarizes contracts and POAs with full legal effect.

We litigate shareholder disagreements and enforce joint venture terms.

Yes, we argue liability allocation and enforce protective clauses.

Yes, we defend firms against product-related claims.

Yes, we defend your rights and seek compensation.