Expertise
Paul Prescott is a Partner at Addleshaw Goddard and Head of the firm's Construction and Engineering practice in Riyadh. He is a highly experienced construction, engineering, and projects lawyer with over 22 years of professional experience, including 14 years advising clients across the Middle East.
Paul has substantial experience advising government entities, investors, sponsors, developers, lenders, and D&B and EPC contractors on major construction, infrastructure, wastewater, and energy projects across the Middle East. He has extensive knowledge of standard form contracts for the procurement of construction and engineering projects, including the FIDIC suite, NEC, ICC, ICE, IChemE, MF/1 and LOGIC. He also has significant experience advising on PPP structures, development agreements, EPC arrangements, framework agreements and target cost contracts.
Paul is ranked in Chambers Global for Projects & Energy, having been recognised for seven consecutive years, including for his work in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
One respondent stated: “Paul Prescott is extremely personable and extremely bright. He has in-depth knowledge of FIDIC contracts and procurement strategies, which has been of great assistance to our business.”
In addition to his legal expertise, Paul holds a Building Information Modelling (BIM) Project Management Certificate from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
- Experience
- Advising several KSA prestigious real estate development companies in relation to their real estate, construction, and infrastructure programmes. This has included a broad range of advice covering procurement and contract strategy advice, drafting, and preparing a range of suite of contractual documentation to improve value-for-money for their new multi-billion-dollar real estate assets and infrastructure programmes in KSA. This has included advising and drafting the contract documentation for the construction and operational phases of the programmes. In addition, providing project counsel and dispute avoidance legal support on a broad range projects during the execution phase of the programmes in KSA.
- Advised several sponsors on multiple utility, energy, and wastewater projects in the Middle east, including projects Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.
- Advised a renewable energy company in KSA on a broad range of project documentation for various projects in KSA.
- Advised several developers in relation to their datacentre projects in Oman and Qatar, including advising and drafting the relevant project documentation.
- Advised a real estate developer on the multi-billion-dollar tourist and entertainment mixed use development scheme in the Middle East, including advising and drafting the contractual documentation for this development scheme.
- Advised on the procurement strategies and drafted the relevant project documentation for the delivery of an International Airport expansion project for aviation infrastructure and facilities anticipated to be in excess of USD 14 billion.
- Advised on stadia and global event infrastructure programmes, including advising and drafting on contractual documentation for the London 2012 Olympics, multi-million GBP legacy conversion works post-Olympics, Wembley Stadium, Qatar World Cup 2022, Dubai Expo 2020, and other sports venues and facilities in KSA.
- Education
- Staffordshire University – Law Degree LLB (Hons) Qualification 1996
- Publications
Co-author of the Legal 500 Comparative Guide on Saudi Arabia: Construction 2023 and 2024 respectively.
- Testimonials
''He gives me timely, practical advice. His knowledge of the market stands out, as does the quality of his advice.'' - Chambers
''Clients enthuse about Paul's "knowledge of the market; he can go to administrators, and he really is a good dealmaker.'' - Chambers
''Paul Prescott demonstrated detailed knowledge and experience of arbitration.'' - Chambers 2025
''Paul Prescott advises clients from a range of sectors, such as infrastructure, real estate and construction, on both commercial litigation and cross-border arbitration cases.'' - Chambers
''Paul Prescott maintains a prolific projects practice and is well regarded for his skilful representation in PPPs and construction matters. He is also adept at handling renewable energy and real estate projects.'' - Spotlight
''Paul Prescott is super client-friendly and supportive.'' - Chambers