Conflict Avoidance, Management and Dispute Resolution

Question 1

How can you avoid conflict in the first instance?

Answer 1

• Clearly state in all tender and contract documents exactly what is required of all parties.
• Ensure continuous, effective communication between all parties.
• Put everything in writing to ensure there is always documented evidence should a dispute arise (meeting minutes)
• Follow company procedures and policies (including quality assurance processes)
• Follow RICS standards, professional statements and guidance

Question 2

If conflict occurs, how do you deal with it initially?

Answer 2

• Raise the issue with all parties and try to resolve it through communication and negotiation
• A face-to-face meeting is usually the best way to find a resolution

Question 3

What could indicate the success of a final account negotiation?

Answer 3

• All parties come away happy
• Costs agreed and within the client’s budget
• The negotiation is resolved in a timely manner

Question 4

In your opinion, what is the cause of most disputes?

Answer 4

• Commercial aspects
• Unclear or conflicting specifications and/or drawings
• Teams under pressure (poor or rushed decisions are made)
• Insufficient detail/consideration is given to building contracts prior to signing
• Unclear scope of service

Question 5

What can you do if a negotiation breaks down and the matter cannot be resolved?

Answer 5

Consider an ADR (alternative dispute resolution) to resolve the dispute

Question 6

What is dispute resolution?

Answer 6

Dispute resolution is a term that refers to several processes that can be used to resolve a conflict, dispute, or claim.

Question 7

What does ADR stand for?

Answer 7

• ADR stands for Alternative Dispute Resolution
• ADR predominantly means alternative dispute resolution and refers to processes which are alternatives to the traditional binding dispute resolution procedures of litigation and arbitration

Main forms of ADR:
- Negotiation
- Mediation
- Judication

Question 8

What is TCC?

Answer 8

• Technology and Construction Court (TCC).
• Handles disputes about buildings, engineering and surveying
• The TCC does not normally handle cases with a value of less than £250,000 unless there is a good reason

Question 9

What is mediation?

Answer 9

The parties agree on an independent, neutral third-party system to facilitate discussions between them, with the goal of reaching a settlement. The power to settle remains with the parties, but the process is led by the mediator.
- Mediation encourages coming together and agreeing
- By mutual agreement (voluntary)
- The process can be initiated at any time between the parties
- The mediator does not award a winning party
- The process is non-binding

Question 10

Can you explain what a negotiation is please?

Answer 10

The process whereby the parties work out between themselves how to resolve issues that have arisen. The power to settle the dispute rests with the parties.

• The negotiation ends when both parties come to an agreement
• Suitable for simple matters, easily resolvable, compromises made.
• Requires cooperation of both parties

Question 11

What is conciliation?

Answer 11

A process similar to mediation is used in the construction industry whereby a conciliator seeks to facilitate a settlement between the parties. The conciliator does not decide any issues of law or fact but conducts a process whereby each party states its position and then attempts to work forward a compromise.
- independent party to aid an agreement
- the conciliator prepares a ‘recommendation’ which sets out their solution to the dispute. If neither party dissents from that recommendation or initiates adjudication or arbitration, then the recommendation becomes final and binding.

Question 12

What is the difference between mediation and conciliation?

Answer 12

• In mediation, the mediator acts as a facilitator who helps the parties reach an agreement
• Conciliation allows the facilitator to play a more direct role in finding a solution to the dispute. The facilitator can make suggestions for certain proposals and give advice for certain solutions

Question 13

What is an expert witness?

Answer 13

An expert witness is defined as a person whose experience and knowledge in a particular field are beyond what is expected of a layman. An expert witness makes his or her knowledge available to the court or other bodies to reach a just and reasoned decision.

Question 14

What is expert determination?

Answer 14

• Expert determination is the process whereby the parties agree to refer their disagreement to an impartial expert third party and will then be bound by his or her decision
• The parties can choose who the appointed expert is
• More informal than arbitration or litigation
• Ideal for technical disputes
  Expert determination is generally simpler and cheaper than arbitration or litigation, can be sued as a short cut to a binding decision.

Question 15

What are the advantages of expert determination?

Answer 15

• Confidential procedure which is less adversarial and helps parties maintain a working relationship
• Provides a cost and time efficient solution for resolving disputes
• Procedures are controlled by the parties rather than a court or arbitration rules
• An expert can be appointed who is familiar with the specific technical issue(s)

Question 16

What is adjudication?

Answer 16

• Adjudication was developed to allow for construction contract disputes to be resolved more quickly and cost-efficiency than arbitration and litigation
• Its objective is to provide a fast-working solution to an issue (pending the outcome of, or without the need for, a more formal dispute resolution procedure) so that parties can quickly resume or continue work under the contract

Question 17

Can you explain how the adjudication process works in terms of timeframes?

Answer 17

• Following the crystallisation of a dispute, either party can serve notice on the other party of its intention to refer the dispute to adjudication
• Within 7 days of the issue of the notice, the referring party (the party commencing the proceedings) must serve on the party its Referral (its statement of case). If the Referral is not served within that time, the adjudication will likely be void.
• The Referral must contain a detailed explanation of the referring party’s claim in respect of the dispute identified within the notice, along with any supporting documentation.
• Within that 7-day period, the referring party must secure the appointment of an adjudicator. This will be either a person named in the contract or, if no-one is named, the nominating body identified in the contract
• Following the appointment, the adjudicator will set out a timetable, which will usually permit the other party to issue a response to the Referral
• The Adjudicator must make his decision within 28 days of the Referral

Question 18

Can the decision period of 28 days be extended? (adjudication)

Answer 18

The time can be extended to 42 days by mutual agreement of both parties

Question 19

Is the adjudication process binding?

Answer 19

The adjudicator’s decision will be binding on the parties (and enforceable in court) unless the adjudicator acts outside his/her jurisdiction or is biased towards one party.

Question 20

Is there an appeal process with adjudication?

Answer 20

There is no appeal process; however, the parties can take the same dispute to litigation (or arbitration if the contract contains an arbitration agreement)

Question 21

What if a building contract does not contain provisions for adjudication?

Answer 21

Adjudication became a legal right in relation to construction contracts in the UK when legislation known as the Construction Act came into force