Management of Contracts and Contract Claims

Contracts Administration and Management

£5250.00

Introduction

International contracts aim to minimise disputes, but disagreements remain inevitable. Such disputes can arise due to party failures or misunderstandings regarding contract obligations. The Management of Contracts and Contract Claims training course delves into the intricacies of claims and counterclaims. It explores how to reduce or avoid these through effective contract management, evaluates claims upon receipt, and addresses dispute resolution methods. Above all, the course emphasizes strategies for preventing disputed claims. 

This training course addresses commercial disputes in contracts written in English and utilizes techniques applicable to resolving various dispute types. It covers:

  • Causes of claims and disputes

  • Improving contracts management to reduce disputes and expedite resolutions

  • Negotiation skills applicable to various scenarios

  • Methods for dispute resolution beyond courts and arbitration

  • Impact of foreign legal systems

  • Management of dispute resolution processes

TRAINING OBJECTIVES

This training course aims to enable participants to:

  • Understand the origins of claims and counterclaims

  • Differentiate between claims and counterclaims

  • Identify common causes of claims and disputes and methods to prevent them

  • Develop contract management procedures to mitigate disputes while addressing unjustified claims

  • Enhance negotiation skills for dispute resolution

  • Understand dispute resolution methods involving third parties

  • Grasp Traditional and Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques, including resolving disputes without court or arbitration involvement

  • Employ contract provisions to minimise claim and dispute risks

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This comprehensive training course is valuable for:

  • Contracts Analysts

  • Contract Engineers

  • Cost/Planning Engineers

  • Individuals involved in tendering/contracting functions

  • Project Managers

  • Contract Administrators

  • Contracting Unit Supervisors

  • Claims Managers and Business Audit Officers

  • Contract Strategists

  • General Managers involved in contract negotiation and disputes

  • Commercial Managers

  • Legal Department staff seeking new techniques and an international approach

  • Anyone involved in dispute strategy and management

 

TRAINING APPROACH

This training course is conducted with high interactivity and delegate participation. The trainer employs real examples, including personal experiences, and engages delegates in discussions and role-play negotiation sessions to resolve disputes in realistic scenarios.

Participants are encouraged to bring real problem examples for confidential discussion and to share industry-specific issues. The course also allocates time for general discussions and one-on-one discussions with the trainer.

TRAINING OUTLINE

Day 1: Causes and Differences in Claims and Counterclaims

  • Typical Causes of Claims

  • Poor Requirements Drafting

  • Lack of Clarity in Scope of Work/Services

  • Misunderstanding Legal or Technical Obligations

  • Claims and Counterclaims by Clients and Contractors/Suppliers

  • Deliberate "Misunderstanding"

  • Rights of Set-Off

  • Key Contractual Provisions Relevant to Claims and Counterclaims

  • Obligation to Perform Work

  • Standards

  • Programme

  • Acceleration

  • Variations

  • Extension of Time

  • Force Majeure

Day 2: Types of Claims and Counterclaims

  • Distinctive Features of Different Claim Types in Construction and Other Sectors

  • Re-Measurement Disputes

  • Valuation Disputes for Variations

  • Variations - Disputes on Change Occurrence

  • Contract Breaches

  • Workmanship Quality

  • Re-Work

  • Goods Rejection

  • Liquidated Damages and Penalties

  • Warranty Claims

  • Unique Aspects of EPC/Turnkey Contracts

  • Interface Problems: Contractor Responsibility

  • Handling Change with Limited Client Involvement

  • Documentation Challenges in EPC/Turnkey Contracts

Day 3: Presenting and Evaluating Claims and Counterclaims

  • Claim Presentation Requirements

  • Notices

  • Timing and Time Limits

  • Binding Nature of Time Limits

  • Format

  • Information

  • Supporting Documents

  • Claims Evaluation and Management Essentials

  • Identifying Claim Causes

  • Dispute Warning Signs

  • Recording Claims

  • Reviewing Claims

  • Requesting Additional Information

  • Realistic Assessment

  • Admissions and Denials Timing

  • Settlement Offers

  • Independent Review

  • Cumulative Effects

  • Effective Claims Management for Dispute Avoidance

  • Involvement of Legal Counsel

  • Legal Process Management

  • Goal Setting

  • Decision Trees

  • Cost Control Considerations

Day 4: Dispute Resolution

  • Understanding Disputes

  • Introduction to Dispute Resolution Methods and Techniques

  • Internal Dispute Resolution Within Contracts

  • Win-Win Negotiation Measures of Success

  • Defining Wins for Parties

  • Negotiating Without Prejudice

  • Offer Making

  • Compromise

  • Bargaining

  • Interest-Based Negotiations

  • Transitioning from Rights-Based Thinking

  • Expanding Resolutions to Additional Issues

  • Non-Financial Solutions

  • Long-Term Business Relations

  • Conflict Identification and Resolution

  • Defusing Conflict

  • Preventing Disputes from Escalating

  • Traditional Dispute Resolution

  • Litigation

  • Use of Foreign Courts

  • Enforcement

  • Arbitration

  • Domestic Arbitration

  • International Arbitration

  • Single or Panel Arbitration

  • Enforcement Challenges

  • Evidence and Document Production Differences Among Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods

  • Mediation

  • Med/Arb and Arb/Med

  • Adjudication

  • Expert Determination

  • Early Neutral Evaluation

  • Mini-Arbitration

  • Dispute Review Boards

Day 5: Ethics and Dispute Avoidance

  • Ethical Concerns

  • Audit Trails

  • Maintaining Ethical Conduct Perception

  • Ethical Considerations in Interest-Based Settlements

  • Applying Anti-Corruption Systems to Claims as in Tendering

  • Prevention Trumps Resolution

  • Preventing Claims and Counterclaims

  • Preventing Disputes

  • Avoiding Litigation and Arbitration

  • Practical Implementation of Techniques

  • Role-Playing Straightforward Negotiation Scenarios Involving Typical Contractual Claims, Counterclaims, and Disputes

Certificate of Completion: Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from Al-Majd Pathways Centre (APC).