ICE Dispute Resolution Board Procedure

Book excerpt: Dispute Resolution Boards (DRB)s are a "job-site" form of dispute avoidance and resolution. DRBs have proven an effective, economic and user-friendly method of avoiding the extensive costs and diversions of resources usually associated with dispute resolution in the construction and engineering industries. Usually consisting of three experienced, respected and independent Adjudicators, the DRB is the generic phrase used to include Dispute Adjudication Boards, Dispute Review Boards and Panels and Dispute Conciliation Boards. The DRB is established at the commencement of a project. The Members are kept abreast of project activities by receipt of routine reports and periodic visits to the job-site. When inter-party negations reach deadlock disputes and claims are referred to the DRB at project level. The ICE has drafted this procedure to be used in conjunction with all standard forms of contract and for use both within the UK and internationally. Two alternative procedural rules are contained in this document. One has been devised for use on international projects and UK contracts which are not subject to the provisions of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (the Act) and the other is in full compliance with the Act. These procedures and rules may need to be modified to comply with any statutory requirements in the applicable jurisdiction. The ICE maintains a list of DRB Members, each of whom has been suitably trained and assessed by the ICE's Conciliation and Adjudication Advisory Panel (CAAP) as being qualified, experienced and capable of acting on DRBs in the UK and/or overseas. This List is available from the ICE website at: www.ice.org.uk/law Upon application, the ICE will appoint DRB Members from the published list. Application forms for such appointments are included within this document and are also available from the DAS or from the above website. Contained in these procedures are the following documents: - ICE Dispute Resolution Procedure Rules: Alternative One: For use on International Projects and UK Contracts which are not subject to the provisions of the UK Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 - ICE Dispute Resolution Procedure Rules: Alternative Two: UK Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (Act) Compliant - Dispute Resolution Board Agreeement - Tripartite Agreement (TPA) - Application for the appointment of a DRB Member or chairman - Requirements and application procedures for persons wishing to be considered for inclusion in the ICE's List of DRB Members - Requirements for DRB Member's Continuing Professional Development Criteria for entry to the ICE List of DRB members are available by application to the Disputes Administration Service (DAS) of the ICE or can be downloaded from the above website.