26.1 What is a Dispute Board?

In the context of construction contracts, a Dispute Board (DB) comprises a board of one or three persons, independent of the contracting parties, engaged to perform an overview role of the execution of the project and the Contract. Its primary function is to assist the parties to avoid disputes if possible or, if avoidance is not possible, to assist them to a speedy, cost-effective and acceptable resolution of disputes, and avoid the need for arbitration or litigation. The Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (DRBF) defines a DB as follows: