The objective of this paper is to explore the concept of ‘public policy’ from a project management perspective. In particular, we intend to contribute to emerging literature that has sought to establish a relationship between project management (specifically, project organising) and public policy. In the process, we continue with the conversation initiated in Winch and Sanderson (2015) and subsequently in Sanderson and Winch (2017). However, in a marked departure from the approach adopted in these two seminal studies (and associated works) our study is undertaken from a legal perspective as against the administrative sciences perspective which we opine dominated these prior studies. It is our position that a holistic understanding of the intersection between project management and public policy requires a balanced exploration of both perspectives of public policy. Our study that is undertaken in the context of arbitration undertaken within the United Arab Emirates construction industry. We do so taking into consideration the ‘unruly’, fluid and multifaceted nature of public policy. Findings from our study serves as the foundation for further empirical exploration of what is a nascent and developing area of project management research.