Analysing dispute mediation cases of infrastructure projects through project life cycle

Abstract

Regardless of their pattern, construction disputes create additional costs in terms of money and time for both owner and contractor. The Taiwanese Government promulgated the Government Procurement Act (GPA) on 27 May 1998. This Act established a Dispute Mediation System (DMS) to mediate construction disputes involving contractors and the administration and attempted to reduce associated litigation. The DMS resembles the Dispute Review Board (DRB) that was established in the mid 1970s. The DRB is set up at the start of a construction project, and meets regularly at the job site to resolve any disputes as they occur. However, the DMS system does not become active in mediating construction disputes until a specific request is submitted by the contractor. The present study not only introduces this DMS, but also analyses previous dispute mediation cases involving Taiwanese infrastructure projects including dispute patterns, succinct case explanations, and mediation suggestions.