Dispute Boards

These are effective mechanisms of dispute avoidance, resolution and management for contractual disputes on medium to large scale projects. Dispute boards usually exist throughout the duration of a contract and can be referred to at any time by any one of the parties to make a recommendation or determination of the dispute referred.

Training and accreditation of dispute board members

DRS has developed a dispute board training and assessment programme to qualify RICS-Accredited Dispute Board Members. In order for candidates to be accepted onto the training programme they must be a chartered surveyor or hold another equivalent professional qualification, for example they must be qualified as a chartered engineer, architect, solicitor or barrister.

In addition, DRS will maintain an RICS-Accredited Dispute Board Member register. The register will contain the names of professionals who have successfully completed the training and assessment programme. Candidates who pass the interview will be appointed to the RICS Register of Dispute Board Members and will be entitled to use the accreditation RICS-Accredited Dispute Board Member. 

Please see details if you would like to apply for exemption on any the training. 

Appointment of a dispute board

RICS will also be able to nominate dispute board member(s) or a dispute board chair in situations where this is a requirement of the applicable contract or if the parties are unable to reach agreement. We will only nominate a professional included on the register.

What are the advantages of dispute boards?

The main advantage is that a dispute board involved with the project or venture from inception through completion has 'hands-on' knowledge of every aspect of the project/venture. The dispute board knows the parties and the goals and objectives. It is able to act very quickly to prevent a dispute from arising or, if one does arise, to give a decision, in some cases as soon as 30 days from the formal request.

Additionally, because the dispute board knows the parties, it can, if asked by both parties, give its opinions on matters of concern. This can prevent future arguments and move the project/venture forward towards successful, stress-free completion.

Other advantages:

• Confidentiality ? any disputes will remain confidential
• Expertise ? members of the dispute board will be selected for their knowledge and expertise before any dispute has arisen 
• Flexibility ? the parties can agree the procedure in advance and can agree any changes to it during the course of the project 
• Prevention of disputes ? the existence of the dispute board can prevent disputes escalating because the parties are reluctant to be seen to be making frivolous claims. This is an incentive for the parties to reach a negotiated settlement between them 
• Relationships ? dispute boards can help to preserve relationships because the process is consensual and the parties have a stake in the dispute boards 
• Understanding ? by undertaking an ongoing relationship and regular site visits, the dispute board will acquire a good working knowledge of the project. When a dispute arises, the dispute board will have a much better understanding than an arbitral tribunal which will only been appointed after a dispute has arisen

Contact information

If you would like to receive more information about RICS dispute boards qualification, training, assessment and accreditation, please contact:

DRS Training 
t +44 (0)2476 868 584
e drstraining@rics.org

Alternatively, download our brochure.