OUR PROGRAMMES
Certified Adjudicator
Programme information

This certification is suitable for qualified dispute adjudicators who offer dispute avoidance and/or dispute adjudication services to the infrastructure industry.
A FIDIC Certified Adjudicator is someone with expert knowledge of the FIDIC Standard Forms of Contract with experience, knowledge and ability to act impartially and independently as an Adjudicator on Dispute Boards under these forms and/or any contracts based on them.
This certification programme takes place once/twice a year with a written test, peer to peer assessment or review, and /or an online assessment.
If you have questions on certification as an Adjudicator currently listed on the FIDIC President’s List, please contact us by email: [email protected]
To inform us of your interest in the new certified programme, please fill out out the Expression of Interest (EOI) form:
The flowchart below provides a guide to the application process and the steps needed to qualify for the FCL certification exams.
Click on the diagram to expand.
PRE-REQUISITES
- A professional qualification as an Engineer, Architect, Lawyer, Quantity Surveyor, or in project/contract management / resident engineer or equivalent in the construction and/or engineering sector
- Minimum of 10 years working experience on construction projects and/or on construction and engineering contracts and in the management or dispute resolution aspects of construction and engineering contracts
- Experience/involvement at senior level in mediation, operational dispute boards or arbitration proceedings arising out of construction contracts over a period of 5 years either as adviser to one of the parties, arbitrator, mediator, dispute board member or party representative
- Understanding of the provisions of the FIDIC Standard Forms of Contract and ability to interpret construction and/or engineering contract documentation
- Attendance at a training course in construction contracts which include training in dispute resolution aspects and of Award/Decision making and writing (eg. Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Module or CEDR meditation, FIDIC Module 3 or equivalent).
COMPETENCES
- Good English language proficiency and understanding
- Good soft skills to enable candidate to obtain the confidence of parties and communicate with all stakeholders in all situations
- Properly apply and manage the Dispute Board process whether as member or chair in an expeditious, diligent and orderly manner
- Good knowledge of ethics and what constitutes improper conduct for a Dispute Board member
- Ability to understand and analyse the issues / evidences and propose/draft solutions and /or reach decisions on disputes referred.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
- Curriculum Vitae / Resume
- Proof of qualifications
- Document detailing description of experience of construction contracts (at least 10 years of which involved the management and/or dispute resolution aspects of construction and engineering contracts)
- Letters from two referees operating in the construction sector who have known the applicant and can attest to their skills for at least five years
- Proof of attendance at training courses described in pre-requisites.
Fees
- Non-refundable application fee of CHF 100
- Certification fee of CHF 2,000 (stage 1 fee: 450 CHF, Stage 2 fee: 1,550 CHF)
- Yearly renewal fee of CHF 500 (registration renewal)
Assessment details
ASSESSMENT
This is an assessment of the candidates existing skills and knowledge as such there is no teaching or coaching. The candidate must attend ready to be assessed.
The Adjudicator certification programme also includes a second stage assessment (role playing, assignment submission etc.) Once you have passed the examinations, you’ll be notified to participate in the peer-to-peer assessment.
The examination takes place in two phases:
- Phase 1: Multiple choice test – online.
- Phase 2: 2-day assessment with the assessors in class or online with overnight assignments.
Candidates will be tested on:
- Knowledge of FIDIC Contracts, including all main FIDIC publications providing for Dispute Boards or Adjudication, the FIDIC Golden Principles and also multi-lateral development banks specific requirements
- Contract/construction law principles under common and civil law jurisdictions
- Evidence law and procedures
- Dispute Board (DB) good practice and procedures
- Ethical standards
- Technical matters, delay analysis and the evaluation of quantum for both variations and time related costs and basic financial knowledge of VAT, bank guarantees etc.
- Decision making and Award writing skills
- Ability to manage and control a meeting, hearing or site visit
- Time Management
- Interpersonal skills
Candidates must pass Phase 1 to sit Phase 2;
The pass mark for Phase 1 is set at 70% or as may be adjusted from time to time by the FCL.
The assessment for Phase 2 will be graded as a pass or fail of the assessment course.
The candidate may re-apply for certification not less than 6 months after the first attempt.
Phase 1: Multiple choice test
You will be invited to attend an online assessment answering multiple choice questions (MCT) on the FIDIC suits of contracts. The questions will be a mix of questions that have one correct answer and ones that may have a number of correct answers. They may be written in the positive (which is correct) or negative (which of the following is wrong). The tests will have very strict time limits and will require you to know the contract rather than rely upon the opportunity to look up the answer.
Phase 2: 2-day assessment
The 2-day assessment is a continual assessment of the candidate’s overall suitability to perform as an adjudicator/ DB member. You will be invited to attend two-day assessment which will include overnight written assignments based on real dispute scenarios, role plays, award writing and essay style assignments.
AWARD OF CERTIFICATION
If you are successful in both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 assessments, you will be awarded your Certified Adjudicator certification.
RE-CERTIFICATION
The Adjudicator certification is valid for one year subject to payment of the registration fee, and holders can apply for re-certification providing that during that year they can provide evidence of having completed a minimum of:
- Five days of dispute resolution cases that relate to FIDIC contracts, AND
- Eight hours of continuous professional development (CPD) in the form of conferences, courses and seminars (as attendee or speaker, in person or on-line), or non-executive boards and committees, or presenting articles that are published, that cover one or more of the following ‘FCL learning outcomes’:
Contract Management, FIDIC Contracts; Procurement and Commercial Risk; Project Commercial Challenges; Risk, Liability and Force Majeure; Claims, Disputes and Arbitration; Dispute Avoidance; Sustainability Management; Ethics and dealing with Fraud and Corruption; Knowledge and Understanding of FIDIC, Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Quality Management, Business Development Skills, Management and Leadership Skills, Global Infrastructure Knowledge.
The evidence should be presented as certificates of attendance, self-attestation statements, or publication articles, together with details of dates and venues, and submitted, together with the relevant fees to FCL ahead of expiration of the original certification.
Dates
The annual programme dates will be available later in 2021.
(Further information on the certification assessment dates will be provided in the future).
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