Can a developer terminate a contractor under a FIDIC contract in the UAE?

Yes, but only on the grounds and through the procedure the contract allows. FIDIC contracts give the employer a right to terminate for specified contractor defaults — such as failing to proceed, abandoning the works, or persistent breach — usually after serving a formal notice to correct and allowing the contractor an opportunity to remedy before termination takes effect. Most FIDIC forms also permit termination for the employer's convenience on different terms. In onshore UAE, the contract governs, but the UAE Civil Transactions Law also regulates termination of contracts and the consequences, and a wrongful or premature termination can itself be a serious breach exposing the developer to a damages claim from the contractor. So the developer must establish a valid ground, follow the notice and cure steps exactly, and document the contractor's defaults. Termination is high-risk and frequently litigated, so it should not be done without confirming the contractual basis and procedure first. A UAE construction lawyer can review the grounds and draft the notices — compare verified professionals on LEXAI for your project.