New association launched to list world’s top construction arbitrators

Disputes are one of the biggest factors in construction projects going over budget and running late. Image: created by AI

The ICAA lists arbitrators who are specialists from the international construction industry, whether lawyers or other professionals. In a press release the new association said that, “international construction disputes need specialist international construction arbitrators. But no such list currently exists.”

The arbitrators listed will be long-time specialists in construction, will have expertise in the FIDIC Contracts and other international contracts and will be experienced in international arbitration.

Disputes are one of the biggest factors in construction projects going over budget and running late. A report issued in late 2024 found that the total value of sums in dispute across all of the projects studied was US$84.4 billion and in terms of time, the cumulative length of extensions sought by contractors would reach beyond 994 years.

Founder of the ICAA, Edward Corbett, says, “Construction is a very specialist field: it needs specialist arbitrators. Our list will have 30- 40 arbitrators listed. In our view, they represent the sort of arbitrators who should be deciding international construction disputes.”

The list is a mix of construction judges, construction lawyers and engineers. They come from common and civil law countries.