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DRS celebrates 50 years

50 Years of RICS Dispute Resolution Service
(1976-2026)

2026 marks the 50th Anniversary of the RICS Dispute Resolution Service (DRS).

Since 1976, DRS has been at the forefront of delivering ADR appointment services, training programmes, and innovative solutions for the built environment.

As we mark our 50th anniversary, we celebrate the milestones, people, and progress that have shaped our journey.

Join the Celebration

Be part of our 50th anniversary journey. Share your stories, attend events, and help shape our next 50 years of dispute resolution.

Upcoming Events

Calendar of Events

Event	Date	Booking link
February
Outreach activities in Canada
Insight series: Strenghtening the Construction Industry: Addressing the pressures facing tier 2 contractors	24 February 2026	Watch again: Strengthening the construction industry: Addressing the pressures facing tier 2 contractors
March
International Women's Day - showcasing DRS panellists	07 March 2026
April
Insight Series: Commercial property reforms: What does it mean for landlord and tenant disputes?	14 April 2026	Book now: Commercial property reforms and what it means for landlord and tenant disputes
Australasia Commercial Management of Construction Conference 2026	30 April 2026	Book now: Australasia Commercial Management of Construction Conference
Insight series: Dispute Boards around the world – What we’ve learnt from global projects	28 April 2026	Book now: Dispute Boards around the world – what we’ve learnt from global projects
Outreach activities in India
May
Outreach activities in South Africa, the UAE and India
Next Generation outreach session #1
Insight Series, in-person, Scotland: Commercial property case law update
June
Insight Series webinar #4
Activities in Macau and Hong Kong
London International Disputes Week	03 June 2026
Conflict Avoidance Coalition Conference	16 June 2026
President's Panel Summer Reception
July
August
Activities across Sub-Saharan Africa
September
Next Generation outreach session #2
Insight Series webinar #5
Activities in Qatar, Saudi and Oman
RICS Africa Conference
In-person Insight Series - Construction
October
Adjudication dinner
DRS Conference	22 October 2026
Insight Series webinar #6
November
Next Generation outreach session #3
Dubai Arbitration Week
Insight Series webinar #7
Next generation - mock mediation
December
Insight Series webinar #8
London Arbitration Week

Booking links will be made available throughout the year. Where the link is not yet available, you can register interest by emailing drs@rics.org with the event you’re interested in.

Insight Series

A new series of online webinar sessions covering a wide range of topics relating to surveying and ADR methods. Booking links will be made available throughout the year.

Strenghtening the Construction Industry: Addressing the pressures facing tier 2 contractors.
The future of adjudication: Evolution and expansion.
Commercial property reforms: What does it mean for landlord and tenant disputes?
Restructuring ADR in the Rural Sector.

Next Generation

A series events in collaboration with Matrics – dates and booking link to be announced shortly.

Webinar 1: Dispute Resolution Essentials – What every surveyor should know.

Webinar 2: ADR in Action – How it works and where you fit in.

Webinar 3: Opportunities in dispute resolution: How ADR can complement your career.

DRS Conference

“The Future of Dispute Resolution in the Built Environment”

Save the date: 22 October 2026, London

Articles & Insights

Here you will find a curated collection of ADR articles, blogs, and opinion pieces.

Commercial property reforms: What does it mean for landlord and tenant disputes?

(April 2026) | In this DRS 50 webinar, our expert panel - Clive Gillingwater, Iain Coxon and Gemma Beasley - examined what these reforms could mean in practice.

DRS 50 Tutor Spotlight - Matt Molloy

Here, we hear from Matt Molloy, who reflects on how active engagement in hearings, evidence analysis and decision writing strengthens the practical learning he delivers for DRS, and how his contributions to training, assessment and programme development help enhance professional standards across the

DRS 50 Tutor Spotlight - David Parratt KC (Scot)

Here we speak with David Parratt KC (Scot), who shares how his day‑to‑day work across litigation, arbitration, adjudication, mediation and negotiation informs his DRS teaching, why ongoing education across all dispute resolution methods matters, and how expert‑witness competency training helps raise

DRS 50 Tutor Spotlight - Andrew Crease

Today, we speak with Andrew Crease, who reflects on how his professional expertise informs his lectures on the Diploma in Arbitration, and how his work with RICS continues to support raising professional standards.

Strengthening the construction industry: Addressing the pressures facing tier 2 contractors

(Feb 2026) | As part of DRS 50, our first Insight Series event brought professionals together to discuss cash flow challenges, contractual risks and the growing need for early intervention to keep projects on track for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Contractors.

DRS 50 Tutor Spotlight - Paul Jensen

As DRS marks 50 years, we are celebrating the people who have shaped our education programmes and supported the development of dispute resolvers across the built environment.