Strategic Legal Counsel for Bahrain’s Construction & Engineering Sector
At Manal Dhahi Legal Consultants, we deliver expert legal solutions to construction and engineering companies operating in Bahrain’s complex, high-risk environment. We provide comprehensive legal support in contracts, licensing, dispute resolution, and arbitration — assuring regulatory compliance and protecting rights throughout all project phases, from start to completion. Whether you’re managing tenders, securing permits, or resolving contractual conflicts, our legal strategies ensure your operations are safeguarded at every step.
In Bahrain’s fast-paced construction and engineering sectors, legal risks arise at every stage from project structuring and licensing to contract enforcement and dispute resolution. Manal Dhahi Legal Consultants provides comprehensive legal support to construction and engineering companies in contracts, licensing, dispute resolution, and arbitration — assuring regulatory compliance and protecting rights throughout all project phases from start to completion.
With deep knowledge of Bahraini law, engineering codes, and international contract standards like FIDIC, our firm serves contractors, subcontractors, developers, project managers, engineers, and consultants. Whether you need legal planning, documentation, representation, or risk mitigation, we ensure that your legal foundation supports your commercial goals — not hinders them.
Our Values and Principles
- Client-Centric Service: Our legal strategies align with your commercial objectives and project timelines.
- Accuracy & Speed: Fast, precise documentation and responses that keep your projects moving forward.
- Transparency: Clear legal communication and upfront expectations on fees, timelines, and outcomes.
- Integrity: Ethical, compliant, and protective legal work at every level.
- Sustainability-Focused: We help clients comply with environmental and ESG obligations tied to modern infrastructure projects.
Why Construction, Contracting & Engineering Companies Need This Legal Role
Engineering and construction projects carry legal risks that, if not managed early, can derail deadlines, budgets, and reputation. From contractor disputes and variation claims to government compliance failures and delayed permits — legal blind spots become costly liabilities.
That’s why companies across Bahrain rely on Manal Dhahi Legal Consultants to:
- Build solid legal foundations through watertight contracts and compliant frameworks
- Prevent legal disputes from escalating into costly litigation
- Defend their interests before courts, arbitrators, or government agencies
- Support every phase of development from land acquisition to project handover
Our legal oversight helps you stay focused on project delivery, while we manage the risks, liabilities, and legal technicalities in the background.
1. Contract Drafting & Negotiation
We draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts tailored to Bahraini law and international frameworks such as FIDIC. Our contracts ensure clear allocation of responsibilities, risk management, and protective clauses addressing delay, force majeure, variation, and termination.
2. Regulatory Compliance & Licensing
We support compliance with the Kingdom’s complex regulatory framework, including approvals from the Ministry of Works, Electricity & Water Authority (EWA), Urban Planning, and local municipalities. We assist in obtaining construction permits, environmental licenses, and clearance for technical operations.
3. Labor & Employment Law
We advise on employment contracts, labor rights, workplace safety, and site-specific compliance with the Bahrain Labour Law. We assist in managing legal exposure tied to injuries, strikes, dismissals, unpaid wages, and workforce disputes.
4. Dispute Resolution & Litigation
We represent clients in construction claims involving delay penalties, defective works, variations, and non-payment. Whether through litigation, arbitration (DIAC, ICC, BCDR), or structured mediation, we seek outcomes that protect your project integrity.
5. Risk Management & Insurance
We provide legal guidance on Contractor’s All Risk (CAR) insurance, third-party liability, and workplace injury coverage. Our lawyers also manage disputes arising from denied claims or insurer liabilities.
6. Permitting & Environmental Law
We ensure your projects comply with zoning laws, environmental approvals, hazardous materials regulations, and sustainability rules. We handle interactions with the Supreme Council for Environment and related bodies.
7. Real Estate & Land Use
We advise on land acquisition, title verification, and drafting lease or purchase agreements. We also register real estate transactions with the Survey & Land Registration Bureau (SLRB), ensuring no legal encumbrances.
8. Corporate Structuring & JV Agreements
We help establish Joint Ventures, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and shareholder structures for complex engineering or EPC projects. We advise on foreign ownership limits, capital planning, and liability minimization.
9. Public Procurement & Tenders
We guide clients through Bahrain’s public procurement framework ensuring that bids meet all legal requirements, deadlines, and documentation standards. We also support filing legal objections or appeals for rejected or mismanaged tenders.
10. Notarization & Legal Documentation
Led by licensed Private Notary Mrs. Manal Dhahi, our firm prepares and notarizes powers of attorney, bid bonds, guarantees, and other critical documents all carrying full legal validity in Bahrain.
What Makes Our Approach Unique
Unlike general law firms, Manal Dhahi Legal Consultants operates with specialized knowledge of construction and engineering risks. Our advantage lies in:
- Integrated Legal Insight: We understand how contracts, labor laws, and public regulations intersect in high-value infrastructure projects.
- End-to-End Involvement: We stay involved across all stages pre-bid, execution, handover, and claims management.
- Direct Senior Access: Clients work directly with our most experienced lawyers, including Mrs. Manal Dhahi herself.
- Strategic Risk Forecasting: We identify red flags before they become costly disputes.
- Cross-Sector Experience: Our portfolio spans commercial, industrial, civil, and energy infrastructure developments.
Our Achievements
Our law firm has successfully:
- Structured and negotiated over 250 high-value construction and engineering contracts
- Resolved multimillion-dinar disputes through arbitration and litigation
- Secured urgent regulatory approvals that protected project timelines
- Assisted in the legal formation of major engineering Joint Ventures in Bahrain
- Represented EPC contractors in public tender appeals and bid protests
- Recovered unpaid dues and liquidated damages for construction firms
These outcomes reflect our focus on practical, client-driven results in Bahrain’s most legally demanding sectors.
Collaborating with Leading Engineering Experts to Deliver Legally and Technically Sound Solutions
At Manal Dhahi Legal Consultants, we go beyond traditional legal services by partnering with some of Bahrain’s most accomplished engineering experts all of whom are officially approved by the Ministry of Justice and registered with Bahrain’s courts. This collaboration ensures that our legal strategies are grounded in real-world technical understanding and meet official standards required in legal proceedings. Whether we're drafting complex contracts, addressing construction delays, or resolving engineering-related disputes, our joint legal–engineering approach delivers solutions that are both legally enforceable and technically accurate. This integrated model enhances risk mitigation, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports successful project delivery at every stage.
Essential documents include a legally binding construction contract (preferably FIDIC-based), building permits, environmental approvals, power of attorney if required, and official registration of land titles or lease agreements. We ensure all documents are properly drafted, reviewed, and notarized for full legal compliance in Bahrain.
Yes. Our legal team has extensive experience drafting, reviewing, and localizing FIDIC-based contracts, ensuring they are enforceable under Bahraini laws while addressing specific project needs and risk allocations.
We draft precise clauses addressing delays, variations, force majeure, and extensions of time. In case of disputes, we provide early intervention, negotiate resolutions, and represent you in arbitration or court to mitigate or eliminate penalty exposure.
Typical permits include approvals from the Ministry of Works, Urban Planning & Development Authority, Electricity & Water Authority (EWA), and environmental clearance. We guide you through the entire process to ensure timely approvals and regulatory compliance.
Yes. We represent clients in disputes involving breach of contract, non-performance, payment issues, or defective works. We pursue negotiation, mediation, or litigation depending on the case's complexity and urgency.
CAR insurance protects against damage to works, construction equipment, and third-party liabilities. We help ensure your policy is legally comprehensive and support claim filing, dispute resolution, and insurer negotiations when issues arise.
We assess the contractual termination clauses and applicable Bahraini law to determine valid grounds. Then, we prepare official termination notices, document evidence, and handle legal defense if challenged.
Yes. Projects involving land use, emissions, waste, or infrastructure development must comply with Bahrain’s environmental regulations. We assist in preparing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and securing required approvals.
Absolutely. We support bid preparation, legal compliance, documentation review, and submission strategy. We also represent clients in filing appeals or objections for rejected or mishandled tenders.
We structure JV agreements that outline capital contributions, profit sharing, risk allocation, dispute resolution, and exit strategies — all in accordance with Bahraini corporate and commercial law.
Common issues include wage disputes, occupational injuries, termination conflicts, and contract breaches. We draft compliant employment agreements, manage disciplinary actions, and represent clients in labor court if needed.
Yes. If your bid was unfairly rejected, we file official objections with the relevant authority and initiate legal proceedings if needed, ensuring that your rights are upheld under Bahrain’s public procurement law.
Yes. Our Private Notary, Mrs. Manal Dhahi, can notarize bid bonds, bank guarantees, power of attorney, and other legally required documents for bidding and construction contracts.
We represent clients in local and international arbitration forums (DIAC, BCDR, ICC), draft arbitration clauses, and guide proceedings from claim submission to final award, saving time and protecting confidentiality.
Yes. We initiate demand notices, negotiate settlements, and file commercial claims in Bahraini courts to recover outstanding payments, including interest and legal fees where applicable.
Proceeding without verifying land ownership or encumbrances can lead to contract invalidity, construction delays, or legal disputes. We conduct due diligence and register land transactions with the SLRB to prevent such risks.
We assist in preparing technical documents, reviewing compliance forms, attending regulatory meetings, and handling legal issues that may arise from non-compliance, delays, or inspection failures.
Yes. We conduct legal audits to verify contract compliance, labor law adherence, safety documentation, and licensing. These audits help prevent future legal issues and prepare for inspections or disputes.
We draft comprehensive partnership, shareholder, JV, and EPC contracts that allocate risks, define responsibilities, and include exit or dispute mechanisms aligned with Bahraini and international law.
Absolutely. We consistently monitor legal updates in construction, environmental, labor, tax, and commercial regulations to ensure your contracts and operations remain fully compliant.
Timelines depend on the authority, but with our proactive legal support, document accuracy, and direct agency follow-up, we significantly reduce approval delays and help you meet project milestones.
Because we combine deep legal knowledge, technical understanding of the construction industry, a proven track record, and direct access to a licensed notary and expert mediator. Our firm doesn’t just react — we lead your legal strategy.
Protect Your Project. Partner with Legal Experts.
Construction and engineering projects demand more than technical excellence — they demand legal certainty. Contact Manal Dhahi Legal Consultants today for tailored legal support that keeps your operations protected, compliant, and on schedule.