Construction and Commercial Arbitration

What we do

• Appointment by the parties, by a co-arbitrator or by an appointing body
• Domestic arbitrations in Australia, and international arbitrations under institutional rules or the UNCITRAL Rules
• An early procedural conference and a timetable suited to the dispute
• Expedited and documents-only procedures where the matter suits them
• Awards that are reasoned, final and binding

Why IDRS

How to engage

Parties can nominate us jointly or name us in their contract. Send the details through the enquiry page.

Technically Informed Arbitration

We provide arbitration for construction and infrastructure disputes. Our arbitrator holds the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators’ Fellowship and Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration, and brings direct construction industry experience to managing and deciding complex disputes.

A construction arbitration benefits from a tribunal that understands the technical issues that commonly arise: programme and delay analysis, quantum assessment, defective work, and the contractual mechanisms that govern payment. That understanding supports efficient case management, focused directions and well-reasoned awards.

We accept appointment as sole arbitrator, presiding arbitrator and co-arbitrator, by agreement of the parties, by nomination from appointing bodies, and under institutional rules. We are available for domestic arbitrations in Australia and for international arbitrations seated across multiple jurisdictions.

Types of Construction Arbitration

We arbitrate the full range of construction and infrastructure disputes, from domestic building disputes to complex international project claims.

Efficient, Proportionate Process

We put considerable emphasis on active case management so that arbitrations run efficiently and at proportionate cost. Early procedural conferences set a realistic timetable, identify the key issues in dispute, and settle the most suitable procedures for resolving them.

We are experienced in managing disputes that involve expert evidence, including directing concurrent expert evidence and joint expert conferences. Familiarity with expert witness protocols across multiple jurisdictions means expert evidence is managed effectively.

Dispute Resolution Services

Arbitrator

Arbitration of commercial, construction and infrastructure disputes. Domestic and international arbitration, delivering final and binding awards across multiple jurisdictions.

Independent, Technically Informed Arbitration

We provide arbitration for commercial, construction and infrastructure disputes. Our arbitrator holds the Fellowship (FCIArb) and the Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration (DipICArb) of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and brings to each appointment both technical industry knowledge and an understanding of the procedural and evidential frameworks that govern arbitral proceedings. Arbitration ends in a final and binding award, enforceable through the courts and, internationally, under the New York Convention, subject to limited grounds of challenge.

Scope of Arbitration Services

We accept arbitral appointments across a broad range of commercial and technical disputes.

Commercial Arbitration

Streamlined, efficient and cost-effective arbitration of construction and commercial disputes.

Arbitration for Construction Disputes

Arbitration is a formal process for resolving disputes that have arisen between the parties to a contract. In Australia, international arbitration is governed by federal law, while each state has its own laws for domestic, non-international arbitration. Given the unique and technical nature of construction projects and the complex relationships they involve, appointing a construction arbitrator with broad industry experience and substantial qualifications can help bring disputes referred to arbitration to a prompt resolution.

Arbitration Delivers Finality & Efficiency

Arbitration gives a formal determination of the dispute with greater confidentiality and flexibility than litigation. The arbitrator’s award is binding and enforceable, giving the parties certainty and closure.

The parties can then resolve their dispute efficiently and turn their attention back to their businesses and commercial objectives.

Fixed Cost & Efficient Arbitration

Fixed-fee options may be available for suitable disputes of limited complexity. The aim is to give the parties an efficient, cost-effective way to resolve a dispute. Timeframes can be tailored to the logistics and complexity of each case. The service is subject to our terms and is available to those seeking timely, definitive dispute resolution.

Expertise for Larger Cases

In larger disputes, an arbitrator with both arbitration and construction expertise can offer an efficient, cost-effective forum in which a detailed understanding of the process, the claims and the expert submissions is invaluable. Our experience covers quantum disputes, delay claims, technical matters, contract interpretation and complex multiparty cases.

Fee Structure & Cost Management

Fees in complex cases are based on the time spent on the reference. Fixed fees may be possible on request, depending on the circumstances. Contact us to discuss your construction arbitration requirements in more detail. Our rates are competitive, with high-quality, independent decision-making and a rigorous arbitral process.

Expedited Arbitration

Fast-track arbitration that resolves construction and commercial disputes efficiently, with binding awards delivered within compressed timeframes.

What is Expedited Arbitration?

Expedited arbitration is a streamlined procedure for disputes of moderate value or complexity where the parties need an efficient resolution. It particularly suits disputes where the amount in dispute falls below the threshold set in the applicable rules, where the parties have agreed to expedited procedures, or where exceptional urgency makes standard arbitration inappropriate.

Proceedings are conducted by a sole arbitrator selected for construction industry expertise and experience. The timetable is compressed to remove unnecessary delay while preserving procedural fairness and each party’s right to present its case fully. The arbitrator issues a final award within the period fixed by the applicable rules, with provision for extension in exceptional circumstances.

Speed Without Compromise

Expedited procedures keep full due-process safeguards while removing unnecessary procedural delay. The process is designed to avoid the inefficiencies that can arise in standard arbitration without sacrificing substantive fairness or the parties’ ability to present their cases comprehensively.

The framework preserves the parties’ rights to present evidence, call witnesses and advance their arguments, while allowing proportionate, cost-effective resolution suited to the scale and complexity of the dispute.

Expedited Arbitration Framework

Expedited arbitration combines the formality and enforceability of standard arbitration with accelerated procedures aimed at timely resolution. It is structured for disputes that full arbitration would delay disproportionately or make disproportionately costly.

When is Expedited Arbitration Appropriate?

Expedited arbitration is best suited to disputes where full arbitration would be disproportionate to the value or complexity of the issues. It lets parties obtain a formal, binding determination without the time and cost of comprehensive arbitration procedures.