Dispute review/adjudication boards: One more alternative to court litigation

Abstract

Dispute board is a relatively new, internationally recognised ADR method, a regular feature of international construction and infrastructure contracts. It is composed of three independent and impartial persons selected by the contracting parties. It's basic function is not only to resolve disputes among the parties, but also, if at all possible, to prevent them from happening. So, the board members help the parties avoid or overcome any disagreements or disputes that arise during the implementation of the contract. They also serve to ensure that, where differences between parties escalate into disputes, issues are resolved equitably and as expeditiously and cost-effectively as possible, so that relationships are enhanced (rather than harmed) for the future. The DBprocess is designed to be fast, cheap and well suited for construction disputes. The parties care fully pick their own panel based on integrity, knowledge of the work, and experience in dispute settlement. Dispute boards are certainly not new but experience over the last twenty years has proven them to be highly successful, relatively inexpensive and the only proactive form of ADR which promotes the avoidance of disputes.