Multistep Dispute Resolution in Design and Construction Industry
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 129, Issue 2
Abstract
The construction industry has a propensity to disputes dating back thousands of years, at least to the time of the Hammurabi Code. As a result, the industry devised alternative methods for dispute resolution to avoid the civil litigation. Since the late nineteenth century, the traditional two-step process has been included in standard construction contracts. The engineer first renders a determination, followed by binding arbitration if either the owner or contractor disagreed with the engineer’s decision. In the last half of the twentieth century, the industry has reexamined this traditional two-step method. This examination has produced a multistep dispute resolution process consisting of (1) loss prevention and dispute avoidance, (2) direct negotiations, (3) facilitated direct negotiations with preselected standing neutrals, (4) issue specific outside neutral facilitated negotiations, and (5) binding adjudication. This paper examines the evolution of this multistep dispute resolution process within the construction industry.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Angelo, W. J.(1996). “One project, many parts, innovative answers.” Eng. News Rec., 237(8), 26.
Assoication of Soil and Foundation Engineers (ASFE). (1995a). Annual strategic plan 1995-96, Silver Spring, Md.
Association of Soil and Foundation Engineers (ASFE). (1995b). “Loss prevention through project management.” Professional Firms Practicing In The Geosciences, ASFE, Silver Spring, Md.
Bachner, J. (1995). “Alternative dispute resolution: Successful new approaches to ancient problems, a message to client from ASFE.” Association of Soil and Foundation Engineers, Silver Spring, Md.
Bachner, J. P. (1988). ADR, alternative dispute resolution for the construction industry, 18 Association of Soil and Foundation Engineers, Silver Spring, Md 18.
Battelle, A. E. (1995). “The growing impact of AD on the construction industry: ‘Real time’ dispute processing on the Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project.” Constr. Law, Nov. 13.
“Boston’s CA/T project warrants a better review.” (1997). Eng. News Rec., 239(6), 94.
“Building success for the 21st century: A guide to partnering in the construction industry.” (1998). <http://www.adr.org/guides/partnering _guide.html>. American Arbitration Association, New York (Sept. 9, 1998).
Carr, F., Lockwood, K. M., McDade, J., and Ruttinger, G. D. (1995). “The untapped potential of ADR in the construction industry.” Fed. Law, 42(32), Note 3, 36.
“CA/T’s project manager expects to trim work force.” (1998). Eng. News Rec., 240(8), 7.
Cheeks, J. R.(1996). “Settlement of shallow foundations on uncontrolled mine spoil fill.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 10(4), 143–151.
“Construction economics.” (2002). Eng. News Rec., 248(14), 35.
CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution (PR). (1998). “The ABCs of ADR: A dispute resolution glossary.” <http://www.cpradr.org/glossary.htm> (Sept. 9, 1998).
Design Professional Insurance Company (DPIC). “There is a difference,” Monterey, Calif.
Design Professional Insurance Company (DPIC). (1998). “Partnering, mediation top ADR effectiveness list.” <http://www.dpic.com/dart1.htm> (Sept. 9, 1998).
DeSilva, M. R. (1998). “Moving ADR to the construction job site.” <http://www.adr.org/pl/desilva.html> (Sept. 9, 1998).
Groton, J. P. (1998). “Alternative dispute resolution in the construction industry.” <http://www.adr.org/drj/adr _in _construction _industry. html> (Sept. 9, 1998).
Groton, J. P. (1996). “A new, comprehensive approach to dispute avoidance and resolution.” Charting the Course to the Year 2000—Together, A landmark international multidisciplinary conference on dispute avoidance and resolution in the construction industry, 4. Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky.
Jessup, W. E., Jr., and Jessup, W. E. (1963). Law and specifications for engineers and scientists, 28–29.
McManamy, R.(1994). “Industry pounds away at disputes.” Eng. News Record, 24, 3.
Mix, D. M.(1997). “ADR in the construction industry: Continuing the development of a more efficient dispute resolution mechanism.” Ohio St. J. on Disp. Resol., 12, 463–464.
Overcash, A. L. (1998). “The truth about partnering: Limitations and solutions.” <http://www.adr.org/pl/overchas2.html> (Sept. 9, 1998).
Ruskin, A. M., and Estes, W. E. (1982). What every engineer should know about project management,” Association of Soil and Foundation Engineers, Silver Spring, Md., 14.
Smith, R. F., MacPherson, R. J., and Thomson, D. B. (1996). “Dysfunctional ADR: Tips to avoid the pain.” Constr. Lawyer, 16(26), 29–30.
Stipanowich, T. J.(1996). “Beyond arbitration: Innovation and evolution in the United States construction industry.” Wake Forest L. Rev., 31, 65.
Stipanowich, T. J.(1998a). “Reconstructing construction law: Reality and reform in a transactional system.” Wis. L. Rev., 463–465.
Stipanowich, T. J.(1998b). “The multi-door contract and other possibilities.” Ohio St. J. On Disp. Resol., 13, 303–328.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 129 • Issue 2 • April 2003
Pages: 84 - 91
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 30, 2002
Accepted: Dec 17, 2002
Published online: Mar 14, 2003
Published in print: Apr 2003
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.