Gilbert is frequently instructed to advise on high-value disputes related to major construction and energy projects. He has significant experience representing employers, main contractors, subcontractors, and designers across a wide range of projects in the Middle East and Africa, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and various countries in East Africa.
Gilbert has represented clients in arbitrations governed by the rules of leading institutions such as the ADGM, DIAC, ICC, LCIA, SCCA, and the European Development Fund. He has comprehensive knowledge of all major international standard form construction contracts, including FIDIC and NEC, and he regularly provides training on these contracts to clients and industry professionals.
Legal 500 recognises Gilbert as “a very practical construction specialist” (Legal 500 EMEA, 2024) with “in-depth knowledge” (Legal 500 EMEA, 2025).
Specialist expertise
Examples of Gilbert’s experience include:
- instructed by an East African government to defend a multi-million-euro arbitration claim under the European Development Fund rules, initiated by the main contractor, concerning the construction of a major highway linking two East African nations;
- represented an employer in multi-million-dollar ICC arbitration proceedings regarding the construction of a large mixed-use development in Riyadh;
- advised a main contractor on multi-million-dirham claims arising from the construction of a major rail network within the UAE;
- assisted a main contractor in preparation for ICC arbitration proceedings related to the construction of a multi-storey office building in Riyadh;
- supported the employer in preparing for DIAC arbitration proceedings regarding the construction of a large hotel resort in the Seychelles;
- instructed by an employer to advise on claims arising under a power purchase agreement related to an oil refinery in Oman;
- advised a main contractor in disputes arising from the construction of offshore platforms for a wind farm project in the Netherlands;
- represented a contractor in multi-million-dollar ICC arbitration proceedings against an employer regarding the construction of a metro system in the GCC;
- represented a Korean main contractor in the defence of a US$200 million ICC arbitration concerning a power plant in Africa;
- supported an employer in defending a US$130 million LCIA arbitration initiated by the main contractor concerning the construction of a major petrochemical plant in Dubai;
- advised a Saudi-based hospital operator on the construction of an AED 1 billion university hospital project in Dubai;
- represented an Abu Dhabi government entity managing a military storage facility in ADCCAC proceedings initiated by the main contractor seeking an extension of time and a sum exceeding AED 30 million;
- advised an international piling contractor seeking an extension of time and a claim exceeding AED 70 million in relation to ICC arbitration proceedings against the developer of three multi-storey towers in Dubai;
- assisted the employer in DIAC arbitration proceedings initiated by the main contractor seeking an extension of time and a claim exceeding AED 39 million for the construction of a 300-room hotel in Abu Dhabi;
- advised a main contractor on a potential claim for approximately US$20 million against the employer regarding the design and construction of a water treatment facility in Qatar;
- advised an international engineer/design consultant on the enforcement of a US$92 million ICC arbitral award in Qatar;
- represented a structural steel subcontractor in an ADCCAC arbitration for approximately AED 60 million against the main contractor;
- assisted an employer in defending an AED 40 million DIAC arbitration initiated by a leading engineer/design consultant; and
- supported an employer in defending an AED 100 million DIAC arbitration brought by the main contractor concerning a mixed-use development in Dubai.
Gilbert’s memberships/positions include:
- member of the New York State Bar; and
- member of the Society of Construction Law Gulf.
