Knowledge - Articles

Driver Trett CEO, Mark Wheeler, hosts our first round table session with industry peers and experts in London.

David discusses the Middle East's role in attracting top-tier contracting talent.

Jon Sanderson, Country Manager for Oman, takes us through the development of Driver Trett’s service offering in the region, which has progressed along...

...and their contribution to the country’s vision 2030 plans Despite the impact of COVID-19 which resulted in the Kingdom’s borders bein...

In this article, Julian Haslam-Jones, Regional Director and UAE Country Manager, defines the role of a shadow expert, and puts forward an argument tha...

As part of issue 22 of the Driver Trett Digest, we took the opportunity to catch up with the Regional Operational Director for the Middle East & Asia ...

Since the global pandemic of covid-19, virtual hearings have allowed the wheels of dispute resolution to continue to turn, with little delay. I believ...

Construction disputes could end up in litigation from defective and vague arbitration agreements, or failed ADR procedures, and sometimes even, as a c...

Mustafa Abdulsalam, BSc Eng. PMP®, PMI-SP®, Senior Consultant in Kuwait, builds upon our earlier article of the same name in this feature, as he takes...

Daniel Morris, Technical Director in Qatar, considers the challenges faced by the State to deliver on its ambitious plans to host the FIFA World Cup 2...

Andrew Miller, Driver Trett Associate Director, discusses the reasonableness of the Plan, and the role of the quantum expert in the dispute resolution...

La majorité des Contract Managers le savent, sur un marché à forts enjeux, il est primordial d’aligner les intérêts des sous-traitants avec ceux de l’...

Get to know the newly promoted Country Director for Oman, Jonathan Sanderson.

Nous proposons ici de nourrir une réflexion basée sur les apports théoriques et empiriques des deux prix Nobel déconomie 2016 - Oliver Hart et Bengt H...

Alasdair Snadden, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, explores the need for diversity in the construction industry, and the strength of a team over th...

Ben Bury, Partner at HFW, discusses some of the recent events that have affected Hong Kong over the last 18 months, and considers how they may have de...

King Wah Liew, Country Director of Malaysia, discusses the typical challenges faced by contractors in the country during the covid-19 pandemic; and th...

Operations Manager Jung-guk Lee explores Claims under Contract; Claims for damages; and how to advance hire value claims for plants in the event of de...

Get to know the newly promoted Country Director for Australia, Mukul Soul. In this article, Mukul discusses his career path to date and considers some...

Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Ashlea Read, discusses how the use of drones in construction sites is increasing year on year, and how the benefit...

This short article focusses on the retrospective quantification of acceleration claims, written by Principle Quantum Expert, John Mullen.

Regional Head of Diales APAC, and Quantum and Delay Expert, Garth McComb, shares insight into what sets apart a Diales Expert, and some of his experie...

Joe Durkin, Investment Manager at LCM Finance, gives insight into how contractors are increasingly turning to litigation funding across the Middle Eas...

Asia Pacific Managing Director, Alasdair Snadden, and Danna Er, Partner at Eldan Law LLP, take a look at Singapore's response to the Covid-19 pandemic...

Indonesia is the world’s 16th-largest economy, and as an archipelago country, infrastructure continues to play a key part in the growth of the country...

Senior Consultant, Angie Chai, discusses the infrastructure developments of the Greater Bay Area, China. Looking at their socio-economic impact, she t...

It is common practice for subcontracts to be placed at varying times during the course of the project. If delays occur during the currency of the proj...

This, the second in the series, covers programmes and progress reports, which show what you planned to do, what you actually did, and when.  The impor...

In this Q&A for the Driver Trett Digest, we catch up with Senior Vice President in New York, Simon Braithwaite. We ask how he has found starting a new...

The first of a series of five articles, discussing the common inadequacies and problems with records that Driver Trett face, when producing or assessi...

In this article, Operations Director for Driver Trett in Bristol, Nicola Huxtable, discusses a case where we supported a contractor to recover losses ...

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) comes in a variety of forms and fundamentally means a process of resolving a dispute other than through litigatio...

Writing for issue 20 of the Driver Trett Digest, Dr Hamish Lal, Josephine Kaiding and Léa Defranchi of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, discuss the...

Contractors looking to claim relief and compensation for the impact of Covid-19 have often looked at their contract provisions for Force Majeure and C...

Phil Duggan, Head of Expert Services in the Middle East, discusses his recent experiences of comparing the FIDIC 1999 Conditions to those of the 2017 ...

Andrew Miller, Driver Trett Associate Director from our London office discusses the importance for time and cost records, when proceeding with a claim...

Consultant Jacob Petrou, based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, discusses how European contractors can ensure oversight and management of supply and sub...

Consultant Laura Geary evaluates and compares Negotiation and Mediation, and summarises the factors to consider when deciding whether either form of A...

In recognition of World Mental Health Day 2020, we asked members of our team around the world, how they have found looking after their mental health d...

We would like to wish a happy Moon Festival to all who are celebrating, and send our thanks to our clients China Gezhouba Group Co., LTD who delivered...

We have collated the questions asked from our webinar on Delay analysis methods and techniques used in UAE court litigation, and provided the answers ...

Senior Consultant for the Netherlands, Erald Kahmann, discusses some basic principles about the preparation and management of a claim. The article is ...

What’s the rush all about? To accelerate, or not? That is the question.

Driver Group CEO, Mark Wheeler, talks about why the journey to becoming an Expert is just as important, as being a specialist in your field.

Meet Paul Emmett Brown, a witness of fact at an arbitration hearing. The project has suffered Covid-19 related issues, or not, as the case may be... R...

David Wileman deciphers the downsides to mediation, and whether there actually are any...

Phil Duggan, Regional Head of Diales in the Middle East, discusses the impact of Covid-19 on the construction industry and its affects across the regi...

We get to know Chris Sunderland, the new Director of Business Development and Marketing for Driver Trett and Diales. We delve into his past and look t...

PAUL DARLING OBE QC from 39 Essex Chambers offers his insight as an Advocate in the first remote trial in the Technology and Construction Court - host...

Our mental health, and general well-being, has taken a battering in 2020. What methods work for you in achieving positive well-being?

Driver Trett Digital Digest

Michael Neill looks at common challenges encountered by contractors when dealing with change on construction projects.

Kelvin Ng takes us through his career, experiences, and training enabling him to become a Diales Expert.

Kirsti Olson, Partner at Dentons UK and Middle East LLPA takes a look at why it is crucial to ensure payment and pay less notices are served correctly...

Impacts of Covid-19 on British Colombia’s construction industry

Craig Palmer's insight into the importance of accurate cost records.

In this article Keith Strutt explains how important good experts are, and takes us through the development process that Diales experts go through to e...

Maintaining your payment obligations whilst furloughing commercial and finance staff 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the economy and politics of most countries worldwide. Canadian provinces and territories are swiftly implementi...

The coronavirus pandemic continues to have a profound impact on the economy and it is expected to have a significant negative effect on the constructi...

Certain standard forms of contract, such as those in the CCDC, NEC and FIDIC suites for example, are very prescriptive as to when and how notices for ...

Those of you that have attended a Driver Trett seminar, or training course, in the past will be familiar with the mantra “Records, Records, Records”.

Claims that started and finished in the sewer. White Constructions v PBS Holdings

Messrs Stuart Holdsworth and Stuart Macdougald-Denton talk to us about what it’s like to be a Diales technical expert and give some tips and advice fo...

Gavin Hughes highlights the benefits of modular constructions and looks at its future.

Jeremy Ingham, one of our technical experts summarises how fire damaged buildings can be assessed to allow repair rather than demolition.

With the number of reported confirmed cases of the virus on the rise on a daily basis and on a mass global scale, we will explore the options of how a...

Peter Jansen, consultant at Maples Teesdale LLP explains why careful and decisive operation of the contract’s mechanisms to mitigate the effect of mai...

Dr Hamish Lal, Brendan Casey and Léa Defranchi, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld discuss the impact of issue conflicts in International Commercial Arbit...

The time, cost and pain involved in resolving disputes (whether on complex multi-billion pound international projects, or smaller domestic contracts) ...

Jane Hughes, Senior Associate Solicitor Stevens & Bolton LLP looks at Willow Corp S.A.R.L and MTD Contractors Limited [2019] EWHC 1591 (TCC) and the a...

In this article Professor Colin Eddie, Technical Expert Diales looks at the past, present, and future of tunnelling.

Adrian Dobbie-Holman, Associate Director Driver Trett Dubai looks at global claims, how they are viewed by the courts and how they might be avoided.

EXPO 2020 in Dubai is fast approaching. The immovable deadline for this incredibly important event for the UAE will put significant time pressure on a...

David Wileman, Operations Director Driver Trett UK talks about the importance of a mentor, effective training and how knowledge should be shared.

Mandatory adjudication has a history of more than 20 years. Although still subject to some criticism, it has proven to be a time and cost-efficient al...

Ahmed Haridy, Senior Consultant Driver Trett Kuwait sheds some light on the common shortfalls in translated documents submitted to courts.

Kevin O’Neill, Operations Director Driver Trett Canada asks if the new legislation is really needed and how do we prepare?

What are the challenges Saudi Arabia face in delivering some of the iconic giga-projects announced as part of the Vision 2030?

This article reviews the adjudicator appointment procedure and timeframe by comparing the schemes under the UK’s Housing Grants, Construction and Rege...

In this final post in our series, we look at one of the most difficult roles in any sport played anywhere. The role of referee or umpire is always a c...

Football is arguably the most popular game in the world. Although the individual must be their best, football is 100% a team sport.

What can the Ontario construction industry learn from adjudication in the UK?

Professional riders are now among the world’s fittest elite athletes. Every aspect of their training, nutrition physical and mental wellbeing is measu...

Marathon running is one of the biggest challenges in terms of physical endurance.

The pinnacle of the world of motor racing is widely accepted as Formula 1. To succeed in this sport requires a team to operate at the peak of technica...

In this series of posts Driver Trett celebrate some of the great sporting events going on at this time of year by taking a moment to look at what busi...

Lee Barry, Quantum Expert, describes some of the nuances associated with expert services in the Middle East compared to those of Common Law in the UK.

Stephen Lowsley, Delay Expert compares Critical Path Analysis as a project management tool and its use in delay analysis.

We recently spoke to Stefan at an event in the Houses of Parliament, London learn more about his background, his career in consultancy and what he is ...

Zulifqar Ali, Associate Director, Driver Trett UK explains the importance of records and their details.

David Bunn, Planner, Driver Trett UK asks whether prospective or retrospective delay analysis should be used when the facts are known - under a NEC co...

David Wileman, Operations Director, Driver Trett UK examines the updates to the Treated Acceptance and Dividing Date concepts in NEC4.

Andrew Agathangelou, Technical Director, Driver Trett UK assesses the usefulness of statistical techniques to assess the probability and risk associat...

Marine Maffre Maucour, Senior Consultant, Driver Trett France explains India’s Reform of Arbitration: an attempt at commercial attractiveness

James Millen, Technical Director, Driver Trett APAC looks at Technology-Assisted Review with eDiscovery – a scientifically proven and court-endorsed A...

Robert Dean, Senior Consultant, Driver Trett UAE asks if it can be argued that excessive change on mega projects can have unpredictable effects, so ho...

Binu Joseph and Sean Hugo, Senior Consultant and Operations Director - Abu Dhabi, Driver Trett UAE take a look at the as-planned versus as-built metho...

Antony Smith, Senior Partner, Beale & Co discusses arbitration: a preferred mechanism of alternative dispute resolution.

Alistair Cull, Operations Director, Driver Trett UK looks at changes to the adjudication process in the UK.

Kirsteen Cacchioli - Technical Director, Driver Trett UK revisits the guidance surrounding ‘smash and grab’ adjudications and the precedent that could...

Mark Castell, Regional Managing Director and Head of Diales in Europe takes a ‘grey haired’ view on dispute avoidance and resolution in mainland Europ...

Shane O’Regan - Associate Director, Driver Trett Qatar, examines the risky practice of key performance indicators within the public works authority fr...

Garth McComb - Director, Driver Trett Malaysia delves into the pleasures and perils of artificial intelligence in supporting expert witnesses.

David Pritchard - Senior Consultant, Driver Trett Singapore asks whether Driver Trett should plunge into the ‘BIG’ data trend? Do we have the right ta...

Reading between the lines of expert reports and testimony, paying particular attention to what isn’t there.

Exploring the region’s ongoing drive for innovation - including their approach to managing their futuristic construction projects.

Looking at the practical effects of confidentiality in the mediation process.

Common practices and challenges of delay analysis on complex mega projects that are so prevalent in the Middle East.

Insight into the cutting edge eDiscovery practices and tools being used to support clients across the Asia Pacific region.

Paul Battrick - Managing Director, Driver Trett gives a ‘simple’ explanation of the ins and outs of FIDIC claims.

Karen Wenham - Director, Driver Trett Australia explains the realities of concurrent delays and the varied approaches and outcomes available through d...

Yamin Shihab – Vice President, MHPM-Driver, UAE outlines the project management approach of integrated project delivery and its potential for Middle E...

Kirsteen Cacchioli - Technical Director, Driver Trett UK provides a summary of the guidance surrounding ‘smash and grab’ adjudications and a precedent...

The use of modern planning software allows the contractor to run various ‘what-if’ scenarios to determine the most effective way of reducing the impac...

What cunning plan can be deployed to create great savings in construction and engineering?

Dominique Auger – Director, Driver Trett Paris recently joined the team having previously worked with Driver Trett as a client. the Digest asks for he...

Alasdair Snadden – Country Manager, Driver Trett Singapore outlines the human need for recognition and its role in the continual development of succes...

Irina Comaromi - consultant, Driver Trett UK discusses her journey through the company’s Minerva programme and the opportunities open to the next gene...

Stephen Homer – Partner, Ashfords LLP outlines the responsibility of architects when proposing designs, in particular in relation to a recent case he ...

Andrew Agathangelou – Diales Delay Expert explores the various paths open to delay analysts.

Stuart Holdsworth - Diales Technical Expert explores the development of tensile structures over the past twenty five years to provide shelter for even...

Michael King - Director, Driver Trett Glasgow and Diales quantum expert appeared as quantum expert in the Technology and Construction Court in April 2...

Dan Preston – Partner, RPC’s construction and project team summarises the key points and lessons to be learned from a recent court judgment.

Derek Sayers – Associate Director, Driver Trett Canada talks to the Digest about the growth of construction in the country and the changing approach t...

Paul Battrick – Managing Director, Driver Trett and co-author of the FIDIC Rainbow Suite articles attended the FIDIC Users Conference held in London d...

Kevin O’Neill – Operations Director, Driver Trett Canada continues the story of adjudication’s emergence in Canada* and the next steps in its introduc...

John Brells - Managing Director, Driver Trett Asia Pacific talks to the Digest about the future for Driver Trett across the region.

Sandra Somers – Director, Driver Trett Singapore explores the slow growth of the numbers of women entering the construction industry and highlights so...

The business that eventually became Driver Group plc has roots dating back to Northampton in the early 1970s.

Hugo-Frans Bol – Director, Driver Trett mainland Europe talks to the Digest about the Group’s Regional presence and growing cross-continental collabor...

David Wileman – Diales Delay Expert addresses the risks of being an optimist, especially when it leads to spending more than originally planned.

Tom Comerford – Regional managing Director, Driver Trett UK and Diales quantum expert discusses the UK team and his aspirations for the future of the ...

Craig Sandison – Associate Director, Driver Trett Dubai outlines the process of expert determination, its benefits and the increasing attraction for u...

Michael Foster – Director, Driver Trett UK explains four key areas of change, affecting quantity surveyors, in the application of NEC4

Mark Castell – regional Managing director and delay and quantum expert highlights some of the key nuances of contract management in mainland Europe an...

Anthony Crowley – Country Manager, Driver Trett Kuwait explains how he came to be in Kuwait and some of the joys and challenges of setting up business...

Marine Maffre Maucour & Joanna Closa – Consultants, Driver Trett Paris highlight the success that Paris has achieved in becoming synonymous as a world...

Matt Mullins – Senior Consultant, Driver Trett UK reminds us that a notice is nothing to be scared of or offended by, just an essential element of eff...

Richard Bailey – Partner, Goodman Derrick explores the nuances of recoverable consultants’ costs as they apply to adjudication and any enforcement act...

Paul Battrick – Diales expert and David Brown, partner, Clyde & Co in Paris settle down for a conversation about the potential pros and cons of standi...

David Hardiman – Director, Driver Trett Australia outlines the Australian government’s responses to their growing population and related infrastructur...

Stuart Holdsworth, Hooman Baghi and Rob Gray – Structural Engineers, Diales Technical team continue their discussion as to why a lack of focus on accu...

Kevin O’Neill – Operations Director, Driver Trett Eastern Canada discusses what the revised act involves and the benefits it should deliver to the Ont...

Gary Coward – Associate Director, Driver Trett UK identifies some of the key changes in the fourth edition of the NEC form of contracts, almost a quar...

Richard Chamberlain – Diales expert, explores the romantic claims notions, and extravagant lengths, that some contractors’ claims appear to strive for...

Simon Hay – Technical Director, Diales technical team identifies and addresses the relevant causes and solutions for damp in both modern and historica...

Nicola Huxtable – operational Director, Driver Trett UK explains the application of oral variations, their enforceability and their future.

During the summer Mark Wheeler, Global Chief Operating Officer, delivered a talk to the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors’ (Chartered...

John Mullen – Diales principal and quantum expert outlines the recoverability of the costs of preparing a claim and the key considerations for success...

Andrew Agathangelou – Diales expert exposes the varied outcomes of alternative delay analysis methodologies, how two experts can reach such definitive...

Mark Wheeler – Chief Operating Officer, Driver Trett explains that whilst ending a relationship can be painful, timely endings are those that are most...

Mark Wheeler – Chief Operating Officer, Driver Trett explores the Japanese principle of Kaizen. He outlines how the application of continuous improvem...

Stephen Osuhor – director, Driver Trett UAE outlines the key aspects and benefits of engaging a project manager, especially in the early stages of a p...

Christian Merrett – director, Driver Trett UAE explores the challenges of concurrency, its application to UK disputes and the potential pitfalls for t...

Paul Battrick – Driver Trett and co-author of the FIDIC rainbow suite of articles, recently attended the FIDIC users’ conference in London. The event ...

Sean Hugo – Associate Director, Driver Trett outlines the practice of third-party funding and how it applies in the jurisdictions of the United Kingdo...

Mark Wheeler – Chief Operating Officer, Driver Trett explains inherent risks of being careful what you wish for (out-loud) and how contract language m...

THE GROWTH OF LARGE VOLUMES OF ELECTRONIC RECORDS

Nicola Huxtable – Operational Director, Driver Trett, UK explores the ‘niceties’ of smash and grab adjudications and reminds us that those initiating ...

Paul Gogarty – Consulting Director, Driver Trett explores the varied methodologies and approaches for contra charging, set-off, counterclaim, and abat...

Keith Strutt - Operations Director, Driver Group London 1.1 THE QUESTION Discuss the differences between negotiation and mediation. When to employ neg...