Voluntary pledge can help reduce the cost of conflict to industry

A voluntary Conflict Avoidance Pledge open to organisations of any size is spearheading a campaign by seven leading professional/member bodies and two of the UK’s largest employers * to reduce the multi-billion pound cost of conflict in major construction and engineering projects and help ensure they are delivered on time, within budget.

Representatives from the nine organisations have come together in the Conflict Avoidance Coalition to change the way relationships and disputes are managed throughout the construction and engineering sector by promoting co-operation among contracting parties.

By encouraging and supporting the use of embedded conflict management measures to control and manage potential disputes, CACS aims to pre-empt the need for formal dispute resolution procedures such as arbitration, adjudication or litigation.

More than 50 industry bodies have signed the pledge and one of CACS’ key aims is to encourage more signatories. There is no cost involved but signatories are expressing their commitment to

work proactively to avoid conflict and facilitate early resolution of potential disputes
develop their capability in the early identification of potential disputes and the use of conflict avoidance measures
promote the value of collaborative working to prevent issues developing into disputes
work with industry partners to identify, promote and utilise conflict avoidance

CACS is currently developing a toolkit that will comprise a guide to best practice, tips for implementation and other tools to help organisations apply the pledge effectively. It can also deliver bespoke training packages for signatories.

* Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) United Kingdom

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)

Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (DRBF)

Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES)

Transport for London

Network Rail

The Credit Protection Association is a credit management company established in 1914. If you supply goods or services on credit then we can help you!