2020 is a year like no other. The construction industry is feeling the impact of Covid-19 from the front row. The question of who will ultimately foot the bill promises to give rise to heated debates. It is no secret that, behind the scenes, claims are being prepared from all sides (owner, contractor, subcontractor, consultant, engineer, ...). In this webinar, the construction law specialists from the law firm Schoups, located in the heart of Europe, take stock of the situation and look forward to 2021. Will the commendable intentions of working collaboratively in these trying times survive the turn of the year, or will the "new normal" quickly return to the "old normal", with claims escalating all too rapidly into fully-fledged disputes? The webinar will deal with common causes of claims (Covid-19 related and other) and take a closer look at how such claims are governed under the major international construction contracts. The different possibilities to avoid claims from evolving into disputes will also be explored, with a focus on current specific challenges such as more laborious communication due to social distancing and other restrictive measures. Dispute resolution evidently remains a major topic, as not all disputes can be avoided. Proceedings are becoming increasingly virtual, which has its pros and cons. The speakers will not only discuss new evolutions in litigation and arbitration, but will also elaborate on recent trends regarding alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and dispute boards. The webinar targets all persons who are active in the construction industry. It aims at giving guidance in these unprecedented times by providing an outlook for the future of construction dispute avoidance and resolution.
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