Hong Kong – Strengthening Dispute Resolution Across Asia Pacific

Overview

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the global profile of RICS Dispute Resolution Services (DRS), our Executive Director, John Fletcher, recently undertook a programme of engagement activities in Hong Kong alongside colleagues Karina Cheung and Rebecca Lu from the RICS Greater China team.

The visit brought together participation in key regional initiatives alongside a series of meetings with stakeholders across government, industry, academia and the dispute resolution community, reflecting Hong Kong’s continued importance as a global hub for the built environment.

A key highlight was engagement with the Belt & Road Investment Construction Institute, including participation in the inauguration of its Dispute Review Centre. The event brought together international practitioners and institutions and underscored the growing importance of robust dispute resolution frameworks to support complex, cross-border projects.

During this engagement, John was also honoured to be invited to serve as Vice Chair of the International Advisory Committee, reflecting the increasing collaboration between RICS and key Belt & Road stakeholders.

The visit also included discussions with arbitration, mediation and dispute board professionals, as well as government and institutional representatives. In addition, John addressed a RICS member event, sharing insights on global developments across DRS and the role of dispute resolution in supporting the built environment across jurisdictions.

The wider visit programme extended to Macau, where John participated in the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum and contributed to discussions on global trends shaping the sector. During this time, he was also interviewed by Southern Finance 21st Century Business Herald, where he shared insights on emerging developments in international infrastructure dispute resolution.

A key theme from both the forum and the interview was the ongoing shift from traditional, “post-event” dispute resolution towards earlier intervention and conflict avoidance. John highlighted the increasing importance of proactive mechanisms, particularly in complex, cross-border projects, where early engagement can help reduce cost, delay and dispute escalation.

Why this matters

As infrastructure investment continues to expand across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and other regions, the importance of effective dispute avoidance and resolution mechanisms continues to grow. Discussions during the visit highlighted the increasingly international nature of major infrastructure projects, particularly those associated with Belt & Road initiatives, and the need for approaches that can support effective project delivery across different jurisdictions, legal systems and commercial environments.

Hong Kong continues to hold a prominent position as a leading international hub for arbitration and dispute resolution. Its strong legal framework and established institutions provide a solid foundation for managing complex construction and infrastructure disputes.

However, despite this maturity, there remains a gap in the practical application of certain dispute resolution mechanisms. While arbitration continues to dominate, there is limited evidence of adjudication being used since the introduction of the Security of Payment regime in 2025. Cultural and commercial factors also influence how disputes are managed, with a tendency in some cases to defer issues until later stages of a project.

Looking ahead

There is increasing interest in more proactive approaches to dispute management, particularly in major infrastructure programmes. The RICS Conflict Avoidance Process (CAP), which combines elements of mediation, adjudication and expert input, is gaining attention as a practical way to address issues earlier in the project lifecycle.

The visit also highlighted strong demand for collaboration, knowledge sharing and professional development across Hong Kong and the wider region.

DRS will continue to build on these engagements, supporting capability development and promoting effective dispute resolution practices across Asia Pacific.