The Legal Regulation of Construction Contracts Using Three-Dimensional Printing Technology (A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study addresses the radical shifts induced by 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) technology within the general theory of construction contracts. The contract is no longer merely an agreement for "effort" or a physical "result," but has evolved into a complex system of digital and industrial obligations where the liability of the "contractor" intertwines with that of the "machine" and the "technology provider." The research discusses the characterization of this contract under Iraqi law, which oscillates between traditional "construction contracts" and the "sale of future goods," amidst a legislative environment suffering from rigidity in quality control laws and building regulations, rendering execution prone to nullity due to the illegality of the object. Adopting a comparative analytical approach, the study utilizes "Dubai Decree No. (24) of 2021" as a benchmark to demonstrate the legislative transition from "technological neutrality" to "proactive regulation." The research concludes that the general rules of the Iraqi Civil Code—particularly the separation of design from execution—are insufficient to accommodate the unity of "design and machine," proposing a sui generis regulatory framework that redefines engineering obligations to include "data integrity" and "algorithmic efficiency."

Keywords: Digital Construction Contract, Data Liability, Dubai Decree 24/2021, Specially Manufactured Goods, Regulatory Compliance