About the Practice
A construction law practice built around the work — not around the marketing
Waja Law operates from Cyberjaya and advises parties in construction and engineering projects across Peninsular Malaysia on contract, payment and dispute matters.
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Founded on a straightforward observation
Construction is one of Malaysia's most document-intensive industries, yet many disputes escalate primarily because the contract was never properly understood at the start — or because payment rights under CIPAA were not exercised at the right time. Waja Law was established to address that gap directly.
The practice works with main contractors, sub-contractors, property developers, employer's representatives, and project consultants at various stages of a project lifecycle — from reviewing a contract before execution to representing a client in full arbitration proceedings at the AIAC.
The name "Waja" — meaning steel or resolve in Malay — reflects the practice's approach: methodical, structured, and not given to unnecessary escalation. We prefer a well-argued written submission to courtroom theatrics, and we advise clients to choose their disputes as carefully as they choose their contracts.
The office is located at Tamarind Square, Cyberjaya — a practical location for clients working in Greater KL's construction and infrastructure sector.
Mission
To give contractors, developers and consultants access to construction law advice that is technically competent, practically relevant, and communicated in plain terms — so that commercial decisions can be made with a clear understanding of the legal position.
Values
- Clarity over complexity — documents and advice written to be read
- Calibrated assessment — noting weaknesses as clearly as strengths
- Proportionality — matching effort and cost to what the matter warrants
- Respect for client autonomy — the decision to proceed always rests with the client
Practice Scope
Construction contracts (PAM, CIDB, FIDIC, PWD, bespoke), CIPAA 2012 adjudication, AIAC arbitration, High Court Construction Court proceedings, and advisory work on contract administration.
The Team
People who work on construction matters
Razif Ibrahim
Principal
Called to the Malaysian Bar, with experience in construction contract advisory and CIPAA proceedings. Handles contract review mandates and adjudication representations.
Nurul Zahirah
Associate
Focuses on CIPAA claims and responses, as well as legal research for arbitration and High Court matters. Background in project documentation review.
Tan Keng Hock
Consulting Quantity Surveyor
Engaged as a consultant for quantum and delay analysis in arbitration and court matters. Brings practical valuation and prolongation cost expertise.
Standards & Protocols
How we run each engagement
Written Retainer
Every engagement starts with a written retainer letter that sets out scope, fee structure, and billing arrangements. No verbal handshakes on scope.
Professional Indemnity
The practice maintains professional indemnity insurance in accordance with Bar Council requirements. Client matters are handled by qualified solicitors.
Confidentiality
All client documents and instructions are handled under legal professional privilege and strict confidentiality obligations recognised under Malaysian law.
Deadline Management
Statutory deadlines in CIPAA proceedings are tracked and communicated to clients in advance. Missing a CIPAA deadline can extinguish rights — we treat these with appropriate urgency.
Bar Council Compliance
The practice operates in compliance with the Legal Profession Act 1976 and the Bar Council's Rules on Solicitor-Client relations, including the Solicitors' Accounts Rules.
Communication Protocol
Clients receive written updates at each material stage of a matter. For time-sensitive proceedings, the responsible solicitor is directly contactable by phone.
Practice Context
Construction law in Malaysia — a practitioner's perspective
The Malaysian construction industry operates under several standard form contracts — most commonly PAM Contract 2018, the CIDB Standard Form, and PWD 203. International projects frequently adopt FIDIC Red or Yellow Book terms, sometimes with substantial bespoke amendments. Each of these forms carries distinct risk allocations, particularly around extension of time, liquidated and ascertained damages, and the payment mechanism — matters that benefit from legal analysis before a project begins.
The Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act 2012 (CIPAA) changed the payment landscape considerably by giving parties to most written construction contracts a statutory right to refer payment disputes to adjudication. The process operates on fixed statutory timelines, and the adjudicator's decision is enforceable as a court judgment pending any revision in arbitration or litigation. Waja Law has handled CIPAA proceedings for both claimants and respondents, and understands both sides of the process.
For larger disputes — final account claims, termination controversies, delay and prolongation claims, defects — arbitration under the AIAC Arbitration Rules remains the most commonly used mechanism, typically because the construction contract contains an arbitration clause. The High Court's Construction Court hears matters where no arbitration clause exists or where adjudication awards are being enforced or challenged.
Waja Law's approach to all three practice areas is consistent: read the documents first, form a clear view of the merits, and advise the client plainly — including on the aspects of a claim or defence that are less strong.
Work with Waja Law
Tell us about your construction matter
Whether you are reviewing a contract before signing or dealing with a payment dispute already in progress, we are available for an initial discussion.
Get in Touch