By Peter G. Merrill

It is virtually impossible to complete a large construction project without any disputes developing between any of the parties. Those who plan ahead will most likely be less adversely affected by the disputes that might develop. Although Dispute Review Boards (DRB) have been around for many years, they traditionally only offer advisory opinions upon which the parties should be able to resolve their dispute through discussions based on those advisory opinions. If the parties can not resolve their dispute after considering the advisory opinion of the DRB, they would need to proceed on to an outside arbitration or to litigation, whichever is specified in the construction contract, or Dispute Review Board Agreement, to reach a final and binding resolution to the dispute. (more…)