New Arbitration Rules For Use With The Public Works Contracts – What’s In Store For Users?

A new and overhauled version of the Arbitration Rules for use with the Public Works suite of contracts was published on the Construction Procurement Reform website on 13 January 2014. The new rules must be used with all applicable contracts awarded subsequent to a tender deadline of 24 January 2014. The synopsis of the changes to the rules published on the construction procurement reform website does not summarise the full extent of the changes made. This update provides an overview of some of the key changes introduced.

The overarching aim behind the updated rules is "to facilitate fair and efficient resolution of disputes avoiding delay and unnecessary or disproportionate expense". This is embodied in the revised rules with the introduction of strict procedural timelines.