Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Construction Industry

Abstract

As a result of the expense and lengthy delays associated with litigating construction disputes, public owners, as well as private owners, are increasingly opting for an alternative to litigation to resolve these disputes. This paper is intended to give the industry a brief overview of the types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods available, to advise of efforts in the federal court system to use ADR to lessen calendar congestion, and to discuss the dispute review board as advocated in the ASCE pamphlet Avoiding and Resolving Disputes during Construction: Successful Practices and Guidelines.