CLAIMS MANAGEMENT & ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Mitigating Risks and Resolving Disputes Effectively in Construction and Commercial Contracts
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 03 – 07 Aug 2026 | Dubai, UAE | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
Construction and commercial contracts are inherently complex, and the risk of disputes or claims is ever-present. Successful contract administration requires the ability to recognize potential claims early and resolve disputes through effective negotiation or alternative resolution methods. This intensive course offers a comprehensive understanding of claims management processes and dispute resolution mechanisms, empowering professionals to manage conflicts proactively and efficiently.
Participants will explore real-life case studies, gain hands-on experience in preparing and defending claims, and learn to navigate arbitration, mediation, and adjudication processes in line with international best practices and contract standards like FIDIC.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify, evaluate, and manage contractual claims in construction and procurement projects
- Prepare robust claim documentation and responses
- Understand the legal frameworks and procedures for dispute resolution
- Apply best practices in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration
- Mitigate the risk of disputes through effective contract administration
Key Benefits of Attending
- Gain a complete understanding of claims types, causes, and defense strategies
- Learn to draft effective claim and counterclaim documentation
- Enhance your skills in negotiation and conflict resolution
- Understand FIDIC, ICC, and other international dispute resolution procedures
- Minimize project delays and costs caused by unresolved disputes
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
- Contract managers and administrators
- Project managers and engineers
- Procurement and commercial officers
- Legal advisors and consultants
- Quantity surveyors and claims professionals
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
- Analytical skills for identifying and substantiating claims
- Legal and contractual awareness related to dispute resolution
- Communication and negotiation skills for settlement discussions
- Drafting and reviewing claims and contractual correspondence
- Strategic thinking in managing disputes and avoiding litigation
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
- Improved management of project-related claims and risks
- Reduced legal costs and project delays through early resolution
- Stronger contract performance monitoring and documentation
- Enhanced ability to protect the organization’s commercial interests
- Greater alignment with international contracting and arbitration standards
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
- Strategy Briefings – Deep dive into claims classification, causes, and legal principles
- Case Studies – Real-world examples of claims and dispute resolution outcomes
- Workshops – Hands-on exercises in claim preparation, defense, and negotiation
- Peer Exchange – Group discussions on dispute challenges across industries
- Tools – Templates for claims notices, dispute registers, and negotiation plans
Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Foundations of Claims Management
- Module 1: Introduction to Claims in Contracts (07:30 – 09:30)
- Overview of contractual obligations and claim triggers
- Types of claims: delay, disruption, variation, and financial
- Understanding FIDIC and common contract forms
- Module 2: Claims Lifecycle and Documentation (09:45 – 11:15)
- Early warning signs and notification requirements
- Claim timelines, formats, and evidentiary standards
- Essential documents and supporting data
- Module 3: Workshop – Building a Claims File (11:30 – 01:00)
- Develop a sample claim submission with justifications
- Identify common pitfalls in documentation
- Module 4: Peer Exchange – Claims Issues in Real Projects (02:00 – 03:30)
- Discuss practical challenges and industry experience
Day 2: Claim Preparation and Defense Strategies
- Module 1: Delay and Disruption Claims (07:30 – 09:30)
- Delay analysis techniques (e.g., CPM, impacted as-planned)
- Disruption vs. delay: key distinctions and quantification
- Time extension requests and liquidated damages
- Module 2: Variation and Financial Claims (09:45 – 11:15)
- Valuation of variations and additional work
- Prolongation and acceleration cost claims
- Disputed payment terms and price escalation
- Module 3: Workshop – Delay Analysis & Time Impact (11:30 – 01:00)
- Prepare and interpret a delay analysis scenario
- Use of project schedules and records
- Module 4: Case Study – Complex Delay Claim Resolution (02:00 – 03:30)
- Review a real case involving multi-party delay disputes
Day 3: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Overview
- Module 1: Dispute Resolution Methods and Processes (07:30 – 09:30)
- Negotiation, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, litigation
- Benefits and limitations of each method
- Contractual dispute resolution clauses
- Module 2: Mediation and Negotiation Techniques (09:45 – 11:15)
- Structured negotiation processes and mediator roles
- Interest-based negotiation vs. positional bargaining
- Confidentiality and outcome enforcement
- Module 3: Workshop – Mediation Role-Play (11:30 – 01:00)
- Practice a mediation scenario with defined roles
- Debrief and negotiation strategy reflection
- Module 4: Peer Exchange – ADR Practices Across Regions (02:00 – 03:30)
- Insights from participants on regional ADR effectiveness
Day 4: Arbitration and Legal Aspects of Dispute Resolution
- Module 1: Arbitration Procedures and Institutions (07:30 – 09:30)
- ICC, LCIA, DIAC, and UNCITRAL rules overview
- Appointing arbitrators and conducting hearings
- Enforcement of arbitral awards
- Module 2: Legal Considerations and Risk Allocation (09:45 – 11:15)
- Governing law, jurisdiction, and legal remedies
- Risk transfer clauses and indemnities
- Early dispute avoidance through contractual clarity
- Module 3: Workshop – Drafting Dispute Clauses (11:30 – 01:00)
- Create a multi-tier dispute resolution clause
- Analyze enforceability and practicality
- Module 4: Case Study – International Arbitration Example (02:00 – 03:30)
- Review an arbitration outcome and legal strategy
Day 5: Integration, Prevention, and Course Wrap-Up
- Module 1: Integrating Claims Management into Projects (07:30 – 09:30)
- Role of project controls in claims prevention
- Records management and contemporaneous evidence
- Contract administration best practices
- Module 2: Strategies for Dispute Prevention (09:45 – 11:15)
- Collaborative contracting approaches
- Early warning systems and partner alignment
- Performance monitoring and audits
- Module 3: Workshop – Claims Prevention Plan (11:30 – 01:00)
- Develop a plan for minimizing claim risks
- Define monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder roles
- Module 4: Final Review and Certification (02:00 – 03:30)
- Group presentations and feedback
- Summary of key takeaways
- Certificate distribution
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Claims Management & Alternative Dispute Resolution, validating their expertise in managing contractual claims and resolving disputes using structured, proactive, and internationally recognized methods.