If you work in construction, infrastructure, oil and gas, or any sector that runs on FIDIC contracts, this guide will walk you through what this training actually covers, why it matters more than ever, and how to pick a course that’s worth your time.<\/p>\n
What Is FIDIC Claims Dispute Resolution Training, Really?<\/h2>\n
In simple terms, it’s practical training that teaches contract professionals how to manage claims and disputes under FIDIC forms of contract – the Red Book, Yellow Book, Silver Book, and the newer 2017 editions.<\/p>\n
It’s not a law lecture. Good training puts you inside real claim scenarios. You learn how to write a notice under Sub-Clause 20.1 (or 20.2 in the 2017 edition) that actually holds up. You learn how an Engineer is supposed to evaluate a claim impartially, and what happens when they don’t. You learn the difference between a time-bar argument that wins and one that falls apart in front of a tribunal.<\/p>\n
The goal is simple: give you the confidence to handle a claim the moment it appears, instead of panicking once it’s already a dispute.<\/p>\n
Why FIDIC Contracts Generate So Many Claims in the First Place?<\/h2>\n
FIDIC contracts are detailed by design. They allocate risk, set out procedures, and try to keep things fair between employer and contractor. But that same detail is exactly where claims come from.<\/p>\n
Here’s where things usually go wrong on a project:<\/p>\n
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- Variations<\/strong> that change scope without proper instruction or pricing agreement<\/li>\n
- Delays<\/strong> caused by late access, design changes, or weather, where the contractor doesn’t issue notice in time<\/li>\n
- Unforeseen site conditions<\/strong> that nobody priced for at tender stage<\/li>\n
- Payment disputes<\/strong>, where certified amounts don’t match what was actually done<\/li>\n
- Extension of time (EOT) claims<\/strong> that get rejected because the link between cause and delay wasn’t proven<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
None of these are unusual. They’re part of normal project life. What separates a smooth project from a painful one is whether the team knows how to handle these moments the moment they appear – and that’s the entire point of structured training.<\/p>\n
![\"Construction](\"https:\/\/keleaders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Construction-site-manager-reviewing-FIDIC-contract-claim-documents-on-a-tablet.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe FIDIC Dispute Resolution Ladder, Explained Simply<\/h2>\n
One thing good training always covers is the dispute resolution “ladder” – the step-by-step path FIDIC contracts expect you to follow before anyone goes near a courtroom.<\/p>\n
Step 1: Claim notice and substantiation.<\/strong> The party with the claim notifies the other side within the contractual time limit and backs it up with records, photos, programs, and correspondence.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Engineer’s determination.<\/strong> Under most FIDIC forms, the Engineer reviews the claim and gives a fair determination – agreeing, rejecting, or partially agreeing with the claim.<\/p>\n
Step 3: Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB) or Dispute Avoidance\/Adjudication Board (DAAB).<\/strong> If either party disagrees with the determination, the dispute goes to this board for a binding (but appealable) decision.<\/p>\n
- Delays<\/strong> caused by late access, design changes, or weather, where the contractor doesn’t issue notice in time<\/li>\n
![\"Trainer](\"https:\/\/keleaders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Trainer-explaining-the-FIDIC-dispute-adjudication-board-process-on-a-whiteboard.jpg\")
<\/p>\n