How are construction disputes with a contractor resolved in Dubai?

The first task is settling which dispute clause actually governs, because arbitration and court litigation are mutually exclusive paths and a contract pointing both ways needs interpretation before anything is filed. Broadly, a clear arbitration agreement will usually be respected, but contradictory clauses can be argued either way — and for a villa renovation, arbitration is often disproportionately expensive, which matters to your strategy. While that is being assessed, protect your position: photograph and document the site as it stands, gather the contract, payment proofs and correspondence, and send the contractor a formal written notice demanding resumption or remedy within a stated deadline. That notice is both a settlement lever and a foundation for any claim. If the matter goes to the Dubai courts, construction cases of this kind typically turn on a court-appointed engineering expert who inspects the works and reports on what was done, what it was worth, and who is at fault — so your documentation now feeds directly into that. Many half-finished-site disputes settle once the contractor receives a serious notice. Have a construction lawyer read both clauses and the state of accounts before you spend anything more.