Circular No. (9) of 2026 Concerning the Regulation of the Responsibilities of Supervision Consultants and Contractors During Construction Stages

Circular No. (9) of 2026, issued by the Urban Planning and Permits Centre under the Department of Municipalities and Transport, reorganizes the procedural and professional relationship between supervision consultants and contractors throughout the implementation stages of construction projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The Circular aims to accelerate project completion and streamline stage closure procedures while maintaining quality, safety, and regulatory oversight requirements.

 

Defining the Responsibilities of Supervision Consultants and Contractors

The Circular establishes clear responsibilities for each party. Supervision consultants are responsible for overseeing construction works and verifying their compliance with approved plans, designs, technical requirements, and building codes, while contractors are required to document the works carried out throughout the various construction stages.

The significance of this framework lies in linking professional responsibility directly to each stage of construction. Accordingly, the consultant’s role extends beyond general supervision to include technical verification, documentation of inspection findings, and approval of completed works.

 

Liability for Violations and Deficiencies

The Circular establishes joint liability between supervision consultants and contractors for violations, deficiencies, or non-compliant works, each within the scope of their respective duties and responsibilities under applicable legislation.

Such joint liability does not necessarily imply that both parties bear equal responsibility for the nature or extent of a violation. Rather, liability remains linked to each party’s role in construction execution, supervision, and documentation.

Consequently, identifying the source of a violation and determining whether it arises from defective execution or inadequate supervision remains essential when assessing responsibility.

 

Documentation Before Closing Construction Stages

Before commencing any major construction stage, the contractor must notify the supervision consultant and document site conditions in accordance with approved procedures.

Upon completion of the relevant stage, an approved, dated, and duly signed technical report must be prepared by both the consultant and contractor. The report must include details of the completed works, inspection findings, and any corrective measures undertaken.

The supervision consultant is responsible for submitting the report through the Unified Permitting System, making the technical report a principal regulatory document evidencing compliance with the requirements of the relevant construction stage.

 

Technical Reports as an Alternative to Stage Closure Permits

One of the Circular’s most significant changes is the Centre’s acceptance of technical reports submitted through the system as an alternative to stage closure permits for the categories covered by this procedure.

This reduces the direct procedural requirements imposed by the regulatory authority at certain construction stages and transfers a greater degree of verification responsibility to supervision consultants and contractors, while preserving subsequent regulatory oversight.

 

Continuation of Inspections and Regulatory Oversight

The acceptance of technical reports does not eliminate on-site inspections. Inspection visits continue in cases and construction stages where they remain necessary, together with mandatory inspection requirements imposed by external authorities, including the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority and other relevant entities.

The competent department also continues to conduct random inspections to verify the accuracy of submitted reports and compliance with applicable legislation.

This ensures that the technical certification system does not develop into an unchecked form of self-regulation.

 

Strengthening the Evidentiary Value of Technical Documentation

The Circular increases the importance of technical documentation by relying on photographic evidence and illustrated technical reports to demonstrate the condition of completed works and their compliance with approved plans and regulatory requirements.

Consequently, proper record retention and the integrity of submitted information become increasingly important, as such documentation may subsequently serve as evidence of compliance or as a basis for determining liability where violations are identified.

 

Legal and Regulatory Implications of the Circular

The Circular represents a transition towards a regulatory oversight model that places greater responsibility on construction professionals in exchange for streamlined administrative procedures.

Technical reports become a primary mechanism for closing certain construction stages. However, this procedural simplification does not reduce professional liability. The Circular expressly confirms that the acceptance of technical reports does not exempt supervision consultants or contractors from their statutory obligations or applicable legal penalties.

Accordingly, the Circular seeks to balance accelerated project delivery and the adoption of digital procedures with continued regulatory supervision and professional accountability.

It also assigns supervision consultants and contractors a greater role in ensuring construction compliance, execution quality, and the reliability of technical documentation throughout all stages of construction.