Luke Johnson

"Luke Johnson is a very capable, unflappable, hark working associate with broad experience of the industry and arbitration." - Legal 500 2021

Counsel, Construction, Engineering and Environmental
UAE

Expertise

Luke is a Counsel within our Construction and Engineering team, with a keen expertise in dispute resolution related to construction and engineering. He offers guidance to international clientele from the rail, energy, infrastructure, and leisure industries across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

He exhibits a profound dedication to high-stakes infrastructure arbitrations, particularly within the transport sector, alongside proficiency in litigation, mediation, and adjudication. Luke's advisory role extends to employers, contractors, and consultants.

His expertise is notably strong in handling disputes that involve a considerable number of contested variations and related delay claims. Notably, Luke recently provided counsel to a leading engineering consultancy on issues covering 95 distinct project milestones. These delays were connected to Geotechnical, MEP, structural, and architectural aspects of a significant infrastructure project in the GCC. Furthermore, Luke is adept at navigating issues concerning termination, suspension, defects, and final accounts.

Experience

Advised one of the world's largest design and engineering consultants on a USD 165 million variation and extension of time arbitration claim arising out of a major infrastructure project in Doha, Qatar, with issues centring around contractual claims and their interpretation under Qatari law, and where necessary, working alongside local Qatari counsel to achieve the client's aims.
Advised an international EPC contractor in a multi-million USD series of linked disputes arising out of claims in respect of an energy from waste multi-fuel power plant, with the claim relating to a large number of variations, the resulting extension of time, and additional payment claims.
Advised a European multi-national energy company in a GBP 115 million (USD 160 million) breach of warranty claim in respect of a coal-fired power station in the UK.
Advised an international EPC contractor in respect of a non-payment, delay, and variation claim in relation to a high-value, prestigious hotel and residences in Dubai, including developing interim claims and advice on DIFC arbitration preparation.
Advised an international contractor under a DIAC rules arbitration in respect of one of Dubai's most iconic new hotels, with claims centring around the design and installation of MEP across separate work fronts, and matters of design, delay, and disruption.
Advised an international contractor in respect of a prestigious hotel development in Dubai to successfully obtain precautionary attachments to prevent unjustified payment of a number of performance bonds in excess of AED 30 million.
Advised an international contractor in respect of enforcement and nullification of an arbitral award and preventing the pay-out of performance bonds in the Abu Dhabi courts, for civil and MEP works carried out in Al Ain.
Advised a GCC-based joint venture in a USD 20 million dispute regarding delays to utilities installations, and bridge and road construction in Oman.
Advised a global hotel chain in a dispute regarding a catastrophic failure of MEP design works at a London-based hotel.
Advised on the recovery of AED 10 million of unpaid sums for works carried out by a major regional contractor, in the UAE courts.
Advised an EPC contractor in a claim against a Jordanian state entity in respect of the refusal to certify works as complete.
Advised a contractor in respect of claims arising from expansion projects at DXB Airport.