The collapse of Dubai’s construction industry has created a backlog of legal claims totalling almost £3bn.

Disputes over unfinished contracts and outstanding payments are stacking up in the emirate’s arbitration court, according to Building magazine.

This year, more than 180 claims have been filed, mostly by international contractors. British firms are estimated to be owed at least £400m on contracts in the United Arab Emirates, many of which relate to work for state-backed investment and development firms.

Atkins, the £700m support-services giant, is among the firms to have publicly admitted being owed money in Dubai. Forensic accountants and legal experts are starting to flood in. Price Waterhouse Coopers has moved a team of 20 investigators to the emirate in recent months.

Sunday Times