Andrew Symms

A Year-End Insight into Energy & Climate Law

This special edition of Law Update, marking Al Tamimi & Company’s 35th anniversary, explores the evolving legal landscape of energy and climate law across the region.

As the Middle East prioritises sustainable growth, this edition examines key developments shaping the future of the sector. From the UAE’s Federal Law No. 11 of 2024 to advancements in green hydrogen, solar financing, and carbon capture technology, we spotlight the innovative strides and challenges defining this critical area.

We also go into Saudi Arabia’s initiatives to integrate carbon capture into its industrial expansion and Egypt’s AFRICARBONEX platform, which underscores the region’s commitment to a sustainable and inclusive future.

Join us as we celebrate 35 years of legal excellence and forward-thinking insights, paving the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.

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The leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Andrew Symms

Consultant

Biography

For over 30 years Andrew has specialised in all aspects of construction and engineering law, both in relation contentious matters as well as project and procurement documentation. He has worked across many different jurisdictions, has worked in-house and has broad commercial experience at the highest level across multiple sectors.

Andrew has a wide range of contracting experience, particularly in relation to the legal and commercial issues surrounding the delivery of large projects on time and to cost. These projects have ranged from residential and commercial buildings to international sporting venues to roads, power stations, transmission lines, water treatment facilities and process plants. His clients include construction and engineering companies, energy companies, airports, airlines, property developers, consultants, public authorities, governments and sports organisations. Andrew has extensive experience in respect of all forms of international dispute resolution, specifically arbitration.

He is identified in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 legal directories as a leading individual for construction law, projects law and energy law.

Recent Experience

Acting on behalf of various parts of a British nuclear entity in respect of facilities in the UK and advice on the laws of multiple jurisdictions (in Europe, Africa, South America, the Middle East and the Far East) as they relate to nuclear activities.
Acting for a major Chinese solar panel manufacturer in respect of its solar farms in the UK and Africa (Kenya and Ghana).
Acting for a European airport authority in respect of its bid for the operation and maintenance of a new terminal at a Middle Eastern airport. The work involves the review and negotiation of the operation and maintenance contract, together with the review of the construction contract and the design appointments in respect of potential interface issues at handover by the contractor.
Acting for a Dutch contractor in respect of its work in the UK, Slovenia, South Africa and China regarding its contracts for waste water treatment works to be constructed on an EPC basis. The UK contracts were all based on the NEC3 form of contract.
Acting for a Korean contractor in arbitration, adjudication and court proceedings regarding various disputes in respect of coal to biomass conversion projects in the UK and France.
Acting for a Japanese entity in the UK regarding disputes in relation to termination and defects in the works of its contractor, expert determination pursuant to the IChemE Red Book.
Acting for the German subsidiary of an American company regarding the negotiation of the contract for the construction of power station cooling towers in Saudi Arabia and the negotiation of the parent company guarantee and performance bonds for those obligations.
Acting for an Anglo Australian construction company in its construction management contracts for multiple residential projects in Dubai, Oman, Russia, Romania and Poland.