DRS Conference: The future of ADR

Overview

The RICS Dispute Resolution Service celebrates its 50^th anniversary in 2026, and this conference is the highlight of the year’s events.

It will bring together senior figures from across the dispute resolution community, the legal profession, industry, and academia to explore how alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is evolving to meet the needs of the built environment.

A central theme will be the responsible integration of emerging technologies (particularly artificial intelligence) as we look ahead to how these tools may support and shape the future of professional practice whilst highlighting the inherent risks involved in its development and application.

Agenda

• 09:00 - Registration and refreshments
• 09:30 - Opening and Presidential address
• 09:40 - The state of ADR around the globe
• 10:15 - Ethical challenges of AI and the erosion of professional judgment
• 11:00 – Coffee & networking
• 11:20 - The future of technical expertise - Expert evidence and the question of trust
• 12:05 - One Belt Road Initiative
• 12:20 - Lunch & networking
• 13:20 - The evolution of contract management: Collaboration, partnerships, conflict avoidance mechanisms
• 14:00 – Debate series part 1:
  • This House believes that Dispute Boards are effective but underused.
  • This House believes that Mediation is neither in demand nor fit for purpose.
• 15:00 - Coffee & networking
• 15:30 - Debate series part 2:
  • This house believes that adjudication has become arbitration by another name
  • This house believes that construction arbitration is overdue a comeback
• 16:30 - ADR 2035: What will dispute resolution look like in 10 years?
• 17:00 - Event close