RICS to host ADR Symposium

RICS is hosting an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Symposium themed: Driving Change: New Perspectives on ADR in the MENA Built Environment at The RITZ Carlton in DIFC on June 1, 2015.

Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE, Justice of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre will present the keynote address. Frances Kirkham was appointed the designated Technology & Construction Court (“TCC”) judge in Birmingham, UK, in October 2000.  Retired from the bench since 2011, Francis now regularly acts as an arbitrator in international and domestic disputes, as an adjudicator and mediator, in addition to being a Justice of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre.

 “The RICS is honoured that Her Honour Frances Kirkham will be our keynote speaker for this event. Frances is a well accomplished, multi-talented arbitrator on the international stage. Her unmatched expertise in arbitration and mediation will make for a powerful opening at this event.” said John Fletcher, Global Director of Dispute Resolution Services at RICS

Business professionals, regulators, and courts in MENA are fundamentally changing their perception of arbitration, evidenced by the proliferation in the market recently of events on the subject. It is already the preferred method to resolve cross-border commercial disputes in the region, but arbitration is not without its challenges of increasing timescales, increased costs and enforceability of awards hence RICS is now also advocating other forms of ADR and dispute avoidance such as the RICS Conflict Avoidance Panel service, aimed at ‘nipping issues in the bud’ before they even escalate to a point of dispute between parties.

"As the independent body regulating and enforcing standards in the Property and Construction industries we feel hosting such a symposium offers an ideal platform for RICS MENA to showcase its independent and impartial services in this region relating to Alternative Dispute Resolution, Expert Witness and Conflict Avoidance within the Built environment. The opportunities for innovation and value creation in this space are almost limitless," Robert Jackson, director RICS MENA commented.

This event is an opportunity to step 'outside the box' and be part of innovative thought leadership from industry leaders. The all-day Symposium will feature industry experts sharing best practice on; Collaborative Contracting and Conflict Avoidance Panels; Nipping infrastructure disputes in the bud; The rise of fast-track construction arbitration; Analytical mediation with 'muscle', and Robust Expert Witnesses.

Visit www.rics.org/ae/training-events/conferences-seminars/ for more details.