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    The RICS Global President’s Panel of Dispute Resolvers and Expert Witnesses comprises a full spectrum of dispute resolution practitioners, including mediators, arbitrators, adjudicators, dispute board members, independent experts and expert witnesses. It is the only panel of its kind where clients can approach a truly independent body for dispute resolution and expert witness services for the built environment.

    RICS Panels

    • Commercial Rent Review Arbitrators
    • Commercial Rent Review Independent Experts
    • Rural Practice Arbitrators
    • Construction Adjudicators
    • Non-rent Arbitrators
    • Mediators
    • Middle East & Africa Panel of Construction Arbitrators

    How panel quality is assured

    The Panel is a self-regulating body operating under Royal Charter; this ensures consistent applications of internationally recognised policies and safeguards. Panel members have both the dispute resolution skills and the professional knowledge and experience needed to provide an impartial and professional service:

    • Panel members undergo rigorous training in dispute resolution techniques to internationally approved levels.
    • Panel members are required to pass an in-depth interview by an RICS Assessment Board to ensure they have the professional skills and experience required to join the panel.
    • Professional references are obtained for each of the panel members, consisting of a detailed report and follow-up consultations if required.
    • Panel members are regularly re-assessed on their dispute resolution and professional skills.
    • Each panel member is required to maintain comprehensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is closely monitored by RICS.
    • Panel members are subject to RICS international quality assurance and complaints mechanisms.
    • All panel members sign a service level agreement to ensure that they are of good standing and committed to high ethical and professional standards.
    DRS: Interview Guide for Candidates (PDF 0.10MB)

    Published date: 06 February 2024

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    DRS: Appeals Procedure (PDF 0.26MB)

    Published date: 23 September 2020

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    Construction Adjudicators

    The largest RICS non-rent panel is the Panel of Construction Adjudicators. RICS nominates Construction Adjudicators under the provisions of the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, and also under contract. The majority of members on these panels are Chartered Surveyors, but members of other professional bodies such as Architects or Engineers are also able to join the Panel to enable RICS to make appropriate appointments.

    To join the RICS Construction Adjudicators President’s Panel there are several steps and conditions that must be met.

    • Meet the criteria including successful  completion of the RICS Diploma in Construction Adjudication.
    • Criteria include but are not limited to 10 years minimum post qualification experience, understanding of law relating to construction contracts and ability to demonstrate recent involvement in the adjudication process.

    • When DRS starts recruitment campaign, candidate are asked to complete an application form and submit required documents including details of relevant experience, references etc.

    • Shortlisted candidates are invited to the familiarisation day to ensure that they are familiar with all the practical elements of the RICS nomination process and the adjudication process. Following this, candidates have four weeks to submit a written assignment.

    • Prior to the interview candidates are asked to submit a template of their standard directions, an adjudication decision that they completed in the last 2 years and their CPD records. These, along with their previously submitted documents and assignments as well as their understanding of construction adjudication law, practice, and procedure, are discussed in their panel interview.

    More information on all the steps can be found in the “Criteria for Inclusion of Construction Adjudicators on the President’s Panel”

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    Rent Review Arbitrators and Independent Experts

    The largest proportion of RICS appointments are made from the Panel of Rent Review Arbitrators and Independent Experts who are appointed on rent review disputes and lease renewals under PACT. Most commercial leases continue to have provision for the RICS President to appoint an Arbitrator or Independent Expert, which is an acknowledgement of the technical knowledge and experience of RICS Panel members.

     

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    Rural Practice Surveyors

    Rural practice surveyors deal with appointments under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995. These Panel Members also deal with other property, partnership or contract farming disputes under the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996.

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    Non-rent Arbitrators

    RICS has a Panel dealing with non-rent arbitrations, but few appointments are made from this Panel as most cases are resolved by adjudication. However, RICS is promoting the use of our dispute resolvers in the international market and are establishing panels to work within these regions.

     

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    Panel of Mediators

    RICS are exploring options to further utilise the skills and experience of the members of the Panel of Mediators. We provide mediation training and future recruitment to the panel will be from those who are RICS Accredited Mediators.

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    Code of Practice for Mediators (PDF 0.22MB)

    Published date: 24 June 2020

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    Future Recruitment to Panels

    It is important to note that even though you may meet all the criteria, this does not give an automatic right to join the panel at any time.

    Induction to the panel is controlled to maintain numbers and ensure that RICS meets projected market demands. The panel is under constant review and recruitment only occurs when DRS perceives an actual or predicted shortage in adjudicators on our panel with particular skills, experience and/or in certain geographical area. This keeps the panel small and select to ensure that panel adjudicators maintain their competency and skills through doing actual adjudication work.

    When we identify shortages on the panel, applications are invited from those who successfully passed the RICS Diploma in Construction Adjudication or received a full exemption as per our exemption policy (available from DRS upon request)

    Once on the panel, members are required to carry out CPD specifically related to dispute resolution and will be subject to regular assessment. The regular reassessment of Panel Members ensures that those on the Panel continue to meet the high standards expected of an RICS Panel Member.

    Panellists must carry out specific dispute resolution related continuous professional development and periodic reassessment. They are subject to a dedicated complaints process, disciplinary system and independent governance oversight. Criteria for reassessment for construction adjudicators are available above.

    Contact the DRS team

    • RICS Dispute Resolution Service
              55 Colmore Row
              Birmingham
              B3 2AA
    • Call: +44 (0) 20 7334 3806
    • Email us

    The regulatory functions of RICS relating to Dispute Resolution Service are led and overseen by the Standards and Regulation Board (SRB).