The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has announced a global survey aimed at improving the effectiveness of party-appointed expert witness evidence in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The survey, closing on 28 April 2025, seeks input from the ADR community on various aspects of expert evidence, including communication between experts, tribunals, and counsel, timetables and timing of expert involvement, ensuring tribunal comprehension of expert input and hearing and post-hearing processes. CIArb plans to utilise the survey results, to be shared with members in summer 2025, to develop targeted resources and training programmes.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has outlined seven recommendations for the UK government following the 2024 general election. These include renewing support for the rule of law; reintroduction of the Arbitration Bill and Litigation Funding Agreements (Enforceability) Bill; ratification of the Singapore Convention on Mediation; and integration of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has published an analysis of three significant Technology and Construction Court (TCC) decisions from 2025 regarding adjudication under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.  In Grove Construction v Bagshot Manor Ltd [2025] EWHC 591, the court clarified that contractors cannot adjudicate against assignees, confirming that an assignment does not transfer the burdens of a contract without a formal novation agreement. The Lapp Industries v First Formations Ltd [2025] EWHC 943 case examined whether multiple work orders should be treated as separate contracts or as variations of a single contract, the adjudicator’s decision to consider them as part of one contract was upheld and claims of a breach of natural justice were dismissed. In Midas Construction v Harmsworth Pension Funds Trustees Ltd [2025] EWHC 1122, the court addressed security for cost requirements when the claimant is insolvent, emphasising that security arrangements should leave the responding party in a position equivalent to that of dealing with a solvent claimant, and rejecting the claimant’s attempt to stage security payments. Collectively, these decisions provide clarity on jurisdiction, natural justice requirements, and security staging, and offer essential guidance for construction adjudications.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has announced plans to reform its qualifications and training curricula for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) professionals. This initiative follows the recent development of new competence frameworks for different membership grades, focusing on the skills required for neutrals in mediation, arbitration, and adjudication. CIArb is now calling for input from ADR practitioners to help shape these new curricula, with workshops planned for early 2025. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that CIArb's qualifications remain globally recognised and maintain high standards of excellence in the ADR field. The institute emphasises that this process is crucial for preserving the strength and relevance of CIArb post-nominals in the international ADR community.

Construction Industry Council

The CIC Consultants' Contract Conditions The Construction Industry Council (CIC) publishes a standard form of consultant appointment: The CIC Consultants' Contract Conditions—Conditions of Contract for the Appointment of Consultants on Major Building Projects. This Practice Note reviews the second edition which was published in 2011 and superseded the original 2007 version. The CIC Conditions can be used to appoint consultants of any discipline, whether or not they are responsible for design. The CIC Conditions are published in two volumes: Volume 1 Volume 1 begins with the form of agreement in which the parties' details are inserted together with a description of the consultant’s role and the project. The CIC Conditions provide for execution of the agreement under hand or as a deed. The agreement is then made up of six parts: • 1—Contract Details This section, 1-1 to 1-14, can be completed in manuscript and sets out the project specific details of the project. It includes descriptions of the site, client's brief (which must also be appended to the appointment), and other members of the team. If any of the

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has announced that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment (APPGEBE) has launched a new inquiry focused on how to build 1.5 million quality homes during the current parliamentary term. The reformed APPGEBE is now chaired by Labour MP Mike Reader. The inquiry aims to gather insights and innovative strategies from industry experts, stakeholders, and the public to ensure that the expansion of the homebuilding programme does not compromise design, construction quality, or placemaking. The CIC has also issued a call for evidence in support of the inquiry, with oral evidence sessions scheduled to take place from 14–21 July 2025 and a report anticipated in autumn 2025.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has announced that the British Standards Institution (BSI) Planning and Approval Team formally approved a proposal on 22 October 2025 to develop a new British Standard on sustainability competence. The standard will be based on The Edge and CIC’s ‘Competence Framework for Sustainability in the Built Environment’, released in February 2025. It is intended to outline sustainability criteria for competence frameworks across the built environment sector and to support the development of sector-specific guidance that reflects the appropriate scope and level of competence required for defined roles, functions and activities.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has announced that it is among the organisations that have signed a joint open letter, led by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), calling on the government to retain Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for small development sites and adopt a more proportionate approach to reform. UKGBC notes that BNG is already delivering benefits, with local authorities, developers and industry professionals adapting to the policy and creating new green spaces that reduce flooding, overheating and health risks. The letter adds that exempting small sites could undermine the emerging nature market, weaken local authorities and erode public trust, noting that small sites form a key part of the housing pipeline and play an important role in everyday access to nature. It also highlights the economic case for BNG, citing research suggesting the market could generate £250m a year and support over 2450 full time jobs, while biodiversity-rich developments can attract higher values.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has announced that the Landscape Institute has published a new suite of carbon-reduction tools and resources to support landscape professionals in measuring and reducing the carbon impacts of projects across both the built and natural environment. The resources are designed to help practitioners address carbon impacts throughout the project lifecycle, including land use, material selection, construction and long-term management. The new suite includes a Landscape Carbon Tools Database and accompanying summary report, guidance on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Product Category Rules (PCRs), and an EPD Databank database that sets out where verified product data can be accessed.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has announced that the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS) have published a report, aimed at addressing the housing crisis through the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The report outlines key policy recommendations to accelerate the adoption of MMC and deliver high-quality, affordable homes. It proposes that the use of MMC could address the current 225,000-person skills gap in the construction industry.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has announced that the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has published a refreshed version of its Construct Zero programme following the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) 7th Carbon Budget and an industry consultation. The updated programme expands its focus beyond net zero to include economic growth, energy security and resilience, in line with the CCC’s revised approach to decarbonisation.