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Aine McGuinness

Senior Associate, DWF in Belfast

Aine specialises in contentious construction & engineering matters and has experience in the UK, Ireland and the Middle East.
Aine McGuinness large

Experience 


Aine is a solicitor admitted to the Roll of Northern Ireland and England & Wales, graduated from Queen’s University in Belfast, studied and trained in London and qualified and practiced in the Middle East.

Aine trained with and qualified into a leading international construction group in the Middle East, and has worked alongside a number of reputable lawyers and experts in the region. The focus of Aine’s work has been in core construction litigation, and she has acted on a number of high profile international arbitration disputes in the Middle East, for projects based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

Aine was a member of the Irish Business Network during her time in the Middle East, gaining insight and networks from other Irish professionals living in the region. 

Memberships


  • Admitted to Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales 
  • Admitted to Roll of Solicitors of Northern Ireland 
  • Society of Construction Law
  • Women in Construction
  • Women in Business

Recent Cases


  • Acting on behalf of a major international contractor in £1bn London seat ICC arbitration proceedings with the Employer in relation to a large-scale hospital project in Qatar.
  • Acting on behalf of a reputable Dubai developer in relation to response to claims for extensions of time and additional payment with a claim value circa AED4billion relating to the completion of a high-end airport project.
  • Acting on behalf of a Chinese contractor in ICC arbitration proceedings for claims relating to the extension of the main airport terminal in Abu Dhabi.
  • Acting on behalf of a local subcontractor in relation to contractual payment entitlement following the conclusion of DIAC arbitration proceedings in which our client was successfully awarded AED 34million.
  • Acting on behalf of a local subcontractor in urgent attachment order proceedings to prevent wrongful payment of the performance bond.
  • Advising on and acting as lead counsel including conducting the oral advocacy for a one day ICC arbitration hearing in Abu Dhabi, in relation to a dispute for outstanding payment following completion of the subcontract construction works.
  • Acting on behalf of an international contractor in DIFC Court proceedings to enforce their arbitration award.
  • Acting on behalf of a prominent local UAE contractor, undertaking the role of project counsel and preparing pre-litigation EOT correspondence in anticipation of an arbitration dispute relating to a mixed use development in Abu Dhabi. 
  • Acting on behalf of a contractor in relation to a construction dispute involving piling works associated with the £6m development of an existing property in West London.
  • Acting on behalf of a gas distribution company in respect of a substantial dispute involving damage to the gas pipeline caused by the contractor and potential claims from the contractor of up to £10m.

Publications