Edinburgh city councillors will approve the proposed appointment at their next meeting scheduled for next week.
Balfour Beatty has agreed to delay signing the contract until the outcome of a legal case over the siting of the new school.
Local action group, Portobello Park Action Group, has raised a legal action in the Court of Session to review the decision to build the school on Portobello Park.
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The Council will defend the legal action as its own legal advice from a QC states that it is possible to build the much-needed replacement school in the park.
City Education Leader, Cllr Marilyne MacLaren, said: "Following a competitive tendering process we are pleased to announce that Balfour Beatty is our preferred choice to be awarded the contract for the new Portobello High School. We greatly appreciate that they are willing to delay the contract signing until after the legal action is resolved as this will keep additional costs to a minimum for the council.
"Balfour Beatty are one of Scotland's leading construction companies and we are confident, that with them on board, we will give the Portobello school community a new school that they can be proud of.
"It's hugely disappointing that the start of the work may be delayed but, by agreeing to some preparatory works going ahead before the contract signing, we hope to keep any delays to a minimum."
(JG/CD)
