We are delighted to announce that the Department of Property and Construction is promoting the Construction Law Seminar Series II: Comparing International Construction Disputes: knowledge and information engaging students, specialists and international players. In accordance with the institutional goal of engaging students in professional practice, the Construction Law Seminar Series is an initiative of the Westminster Construction Society – Department of Property and Construction to enable the dialogue about the main opportunities and challenges in the Construction Disputes sector.

Following the great success of the Construction Law Seminar Series I (available on YouTube), this year’s Seminar is bringing high profile partnerships such as governmental bodies, professional bodies, international funders, compliance and management companies, law firms, arbitrators and adjudicators, academics, researchers, other departments of the University of Westminster such as the Westminster Business School and the Westminster Law School, in order to provide students with the opportunity of developing skills for the professional environment. It will take place on the 29th November 2017, at the University of Westminster Marylebone Campus, room MG14, from 14h to 20h.

Students in the courses of Architectural Technology BSc, Building Engineering BSc, Building Surveying BSc, Construction Management BSc, Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc and Construction Commercial Management MSc will be able to exchange experiences and knowledge with the most renowned professionals in the construction law sector. In 2017, students of the modules 6CNMN001W Management 7: Professional Practice (UG) and 7CNMN005W Construction Law for Contract Management (PG) will proactively contribute and participate in the seminars, having the opportunity to understand, discuss and develop a critique about the topics in four workshops that will take place in the four weeks prior to the seminars. Students from all faculties / departments of the University of Westminster (and other institutions) are welcome to the workshops and the Seminar, especially students from the Business and Law Schools.

THE SEMINAR IN 2017:

One of the most relevant and debated aspects of the construction industry is the resolution of disputes, especially in international contracts. The UK has a sophisticated construction law system – a reference to be comprehended and maybe even assimilated by other jurisdictions, especially regarding the institute of Construction Adjudication, which does not exist in civil law legal systems. Construction dispute resolution also involves a range of professionals and specialities that go much beyond the legal activity, in which the role of experts is mandatory for the solution of a contest. This way, this year’s seminars will discuss these two main topics for the construction disputes sector:

• Panel 1 - Adjudication v Arbitration: comparing construction dispute methods in the international scenario.
• Panel 2 - Expert Evidence and Expert Witnesses: need of professionalism? An analysis of the role of QS's, building architects, managers and lawyers in an international construction dispute.

TIMETABLE

The whole event (including the drinks reception) will have a total duration of 6 hours, starting at 2pm, finishing at 8pm. There will be two distinct (but related) major topics.

Bench and Panels

• The bench will be composed by six speakers, a mediator and the representative of the Society of Construction Law
• Each panel will be composed of three speakers.
• Each speaker will speak for 20 minutes. Their presentation style is free, in a way they feel free to bring the topic in the most convenient way for themselves.
• After the three presentations of a panel, the microphone will be opened to QA from the audience.

• 2 to 3:45 pm: Panel 1 - Adjudication v Arbitration: comparing construction dispute methods in the international scenario.
• 3:45 to 4:15 pm: tea break
• 4:15 to 6 pm: Panel 2 - Expert Evidence and Expert Witnesses: need of professionalism? An analysis of the role of QS's, building architects, managers and lawyers in an international construction dispute.
• 6 to 8 pm: reception with refreshments and snacks