Conflict avoidance pledge

The Construction Playbook, Government Guidance on sourcing and contracting public works projects and programmes Version 1, produced by the Cabinet Office and published in December 2020, is focused on getting projects and programmes right from the start. Its principles and policies are intended to transform how public works projects and programmes are assessed, procured and managed. It is a ‘compact’ between government and industry, setting out how they will work together in future.

It states:

‘The conflict avoidance pledge (CAP) has been developed by a coalition of professional and industry bodies, and demonstrates commitment to conflict avoidance and the use of amicable resolution procedures to deal with emerging disputes at an early stage.

‘Contracting authorities should adopt the appropriate provisions as a standard clause in all public works contracts, and use this mechanism to resolve problems before these escalate into disputes.

‘The CAP captures the ethos of working collaboratively and the use of early interventions techniques, reducing costs and supporting projects and programmes to be delivered on time and in budget.’

On 5 March, 2026 CIAT announced it had signed the Conflict Avoidance Pledge, which involves a commitment to working proactively to avoid conflict and facilitate early resolution of potential disputes. It has been signed by over 100 organisations throughout the construction industry. CIAT’s signing of it signifies the Institute’s commitment to protecting clients’ and practitioners’ interests by reducing cost, delay, and reputational damage from disputes.

CIAT also joined the Conflict Avoidance Coalition Steering Group (CACSG), which allows knowledge sharing, promoting best practices, and supporting early resolution methods, with the aim of making the industry more resilient, efficient, and productive. As a signatory, the Institute now formally encourages the Pledge's principles and is part of the Coalition’s Conflict Avoidance list of Professional Institutions.

Usman Yaqub PCIAT, President of the Institute, said:

"The built environment is under increasing scrutiny, and rebuilding trust requires a collective commitment to higher standards and behaviours. CIAT’s formal adoption of the Conflict Avoidance Pledge demonstrates our support for proactive dispute management and early resolution. We believe that strengthening collaboration across the supply chain ultimately protects clients, improves project delivery and reinforces confidence in our profession."

"We therefore encourage Chartered Practices to demonstrate their support by embedding dispute avoidance principles into their day-to-day practice, committing to early engagement and collaborative resolution, and formally signing the Pledge as a public statement of that commitment."

When practices become signatories to the Pledge they are placed on the Conflict Avoidance Directory and are recognised at either bronze, silver or gold levels, depending on their commitment. Another benefit is access to the RICS Conflict Avoidance Process (CAP), which offers a structured but flexible early intervention pathway involving a neutral expert investigating issues and providing a non-binding, reasoned recommendation that aims to resolve emerging conflicts before they escalate to formal dispute mechanisms.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Conflict avoidance.
• Conflict of interest.
• Delivery model assessment.
• Design for Manufacture and Assembly.
• Government Construction Strategy.
• Procurement.
• Platform approach.
• Public procurement.
• Public project.
• Resolution planning.
• Should cost model.
• The Construction Playbook.
• Whole life costs.