The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has signed a pledge encouraging early resolution of disputes in construction and engineering.
The conflict avoidance pledge is a campaign launched by the Conflict Avoidance Coalition, a group of more than 90 industry professional bodies, including RIBA, ICE and RICS.
By signing the pledge, organisations commit to adopting the Conflict Avoidance Process, an early intervention strategy aimed at resolving emerging issues before they escalate into costly disputes like adjudication.
They also commit to working with industry partners to promote conflict avoidance methods, developing skills to identify early signs of disputes, and allocating the necessary resources to implement conflict avoidance strategies across their projects.
A trial by Transport for London of the Conflict Avoidance Process on 20 projects showed a significant reduction in contractual claims and legal costs.
Growing support
Over 475 construction organisations across the UK have signed this pledge, including the Scottish Building Federation, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association and the Building Engineering Services Association.
The Chartered Institute of Building is also encouraging its members to adopt conflict avoidance process practices to strengthen collaborative working environments.
Across government, the Scottish government has recommended the use of the conflict avoidance process in public sector projects, while the Welsh government and the Northern Ireland Assembly are also considering its implementation.
The UK Parliament refurbishment and restoration project will integrate the conflict avoidance process into its construction contracts.
Matt Molloy, chair of the CIC’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) management board, said: “As a leading forum for professionals across the built environment, the CIC ADR management board recognises its responsibility to lead by example in encouraging early intervention and open communication to help prevent disputes.
“By signing the conflict avoidance pledge, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a more collaborative and less adversarial culture, and we are proud to join the coalition and our peers in championing this important initiative to build a more resilient, efficient, and productive industry.”
Conflict Avoidance Coalition’s president, Len Bunton, said: “I am delighted that CIC has committed to signing the conflict avoidance pledge and to supporting the work of the coalition. This is an excellent example of collaboration in the industry to reduce the number of disputes in the UK construction industry.”
