Construction Claims & Disputes | Qualifications, Memberships and Accreditation

The construction claims and disputes industry is a highly specialised field that demands both technical expertise and an in-depth understanding of legal principles. Professionals working in this area whether as claims consultants, quantum experts, delay analysts, or dispute resolution specialists, typically pursue a combination of academic qualifications, professional memberships, and industry-recognised accreditation. These credentials help ensure credibility, competence, and adherence to ethical standards when handling complex claims and disputes.

That said, this guide is not intended to suggest that you must pursue every qualification mentioned. Many successful professionals in this field hold only a bachelor’s degree but have achieved their positions through ambition, experience and practical understanding gained over time.

Ultimately, completing these qualifications will not automatically entitle you to call yourself a Quantum or Delay ‘Expert’. Instead, they should be viewed as valuable enhancements, opportunities to deepen your knowledge, strengthen your analytical approach and refine the way you present and communicate your work.

Key Academic Qualifications

An Undergraduate Degree

As a minimum you should be Degree qualified before attempting to make the move into a claims and disputes role. Ideally in a relevant subject.  However, the list of relevant subjects is exhaustive. As there is no specific ‘Planning Degree’ (That I am aware of), candidates are often qualified in subjects such as various forms of engineering or project management degrees.

A degree programme trains you in critical thinking, evaluation and analysis, and writing skills, all of which translate directly into quantum or delay analysis and report writing.

Employers therefore often see a degree as a minimum assurance of competence and a marker of professional maturity.

MSc/ LLM in Construction Law

If you’re looking to further your career in a construction claims and disputes role, one of the most valuable and popular qualifications you can achieve is a Master’s in Construction Law.

This qualification is held by many of the leading professionals in the construction claims and disputes sector of construction and for some, it is regarded as essential to succeed in a specialist quantum or delay orientated role.

Note: This list focuses on UK universities offering a named Master’s in Construction Law (or closely‑titled variants such as Construction Law & Dispute Resolution / Arbitration). Programme details can change; always check the course page for the latest intake information. 

Funding your course

Course fees vary by provider, but you should budget circa £12k-14k for tuition in total.

You can either self‑fund or seek employer sponsorship (full or partial). Sponsorship can be attractive, but it almost always comes with a training‑repayment agreement: if you leave during the course or within a set period afterwards, you may have to repay some or all of the fees. These agreements typically last up to two years after completion, with a sliding, pro‑rata reduction in what you owe over time.

This can limit your mobility. A common scenario is candidates who complete an LLM/MSc while working for a contractor, consultancy or client organisation in a role that isn’t disputes‑focused. After graduating, they realise they need to move to a specialist claims and disputes consultancy to apply their new knowledge—only to find the repayment obligation complicates the move. Some specialist firms will buy out that obligation; many will not.

A practical alternative is to secure a role with a specialist claims and disputes consultancy first, then agree financial support for the Master’s as part of your offer. You may be asked to finish probation or meet a minimum tenure before enrolment, but you’ll have a clear commitment to fee support and protected study time from the outset.

Professional Memberships

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Recognised globally, RICS chartered status (MRICS/FRICS) signifies high standards in professional competence and ethics.

Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)

Particularly valuable for engineers providing expert testimony or acting as technical assessors in disputes.

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)

Globally recognised professional body dedicated to promoting the highest standards in ADR.
Grades: ACIArb (Associate), MCIArb (Member), FCIArb (Fellow).

Professional Bodies and Organisations

The Society of Construction Law (SCL)

A prominent professional organisation that focuses on promoting the study and understanding of construction law. It brings together legal professionals, contractors, clients, consultants, and other stakeholders in the construction industry to encourage discussion, share knowledge, and improve legal practices in construction.

Membership with the SCL is particularly beneficial for those looking to enhance their legal expertise and build stronger networks within the legal and construction sectors.

The Adjudication Society

A non-profit organisation supporting knowledge, networking and CPD in construction disputes (talks, papers, case updates, CPD and practitioner forums). Becoming a member of the Adjudication Society demonstrates a commitment to staying informed and professionally engaged within the construction disputes community.

RICS Courses and Diplomas

RICS offers a structured pathway for professionals engaged in construction claims and disputes to develop, certify and demonstrate their expertise across all major forms of dispute resolution, from foundational understanding to expert-level. Key accreditations include:

RICS Accredited Expert Witness

On successful completion of RICS’ Expert Witness Certificate and assessments, candidates with suitable experience can apply for accreditation.  Earning the RICS Expert Witness Accreditation reflects a strong commitment to professional excellence and recognised expertise in expert witness practice.

RICS Diploma in Arbitration

The Diploma in Arbitration is a recognised qualification, structured to be equivalent to a Level 7 qualification. Upon completion you can apply for membership of CIArb (MCIArb).

RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry

A specialist post-graduate-level qualification that equips professionals with the legal insight and practical skills required to conduct and decide adjudications in construction disputes. It is one of the core routes to becoming a qualified adjudicator.

RICS ACRE™ Mediation Accreditation

A globally recognised qualification that equips professionals with the practical skills and structured methodology needed to mediate construction and property disputes effectively.

RICS Expert Determination Training

 Equips construction professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required to manage and conduct expert determinations—from appointment through to issuing a reasoned decision—thus enhancing credibility and capability in technical dispute resolution.

RICS Foundation Certificate in ADR

Introductory training covering all dispute resolution processes.

RICS Conflict Avoidance Process (CAP) Practitioner Training

Promotes early dispute resolution and proactive conflict management.

Additional Specialist Qualifications

Advanced Professional Award in Expert Witness Evidence (APAEWE)

A high-level specialist qualification for professionals acting or aspiring to act as expert witnesses. It is the only Master’s level qualification for expert witnesses in the UK and Internationally.

BTEC Level 7 Advanced Professional Award in Forensic Delay Analysis in Construction

An advanced training programme designed to equip practitioners with the expertise required to carry out forensic delay analysis on major construction disputes at expert-witness level. The awarding body is Pearson (the UK’s major awarding body for BTEC/SRF qualifications) and delivered by Dr Alan Whaley, Autonomy Expert Services (AES) in partnership with QA Associates Limited (as assessment/verification).

Level 7 Professional Diploma in Expert Witness

Provided by the College of Contract Management (CCM) UK, equipping you with the procedural knowledge, report-writing skills and courtroom readiness expected of expert witnesses in construction and dispute roles.

In Summary

Qualifications, memberships, and accreditations in the construction claims and disputes industry are more than just credentials, they represent a professional’s dedication to excellence, ethics, and technical proficiency.

However, as mentioned before, while these credentials are valuable, they are not the sole measure of success. Many accomplished professionals have built exceptional careers through years of relevant experience, and a continuous desire to learn. Formal qualifications should therefore be viewed not as a box-ticking exercise, but as meaningful opportunities to strengthen one’s understanding, enhance professional credibility, and refine the quality and presentation of one’s work.

By combining practical experience with ongoing professional development and active engagement in recognised industry bodies, practitioners can ensure they remain adaptable, knowledgeable, and respected in an ever-evolving field.                                                                     

Nilam Modhwadia
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Maxim Recruitment
LinkedIn

Nilam is a Senior Recruitment Consultant based at our head office in Leicester, where she leads the UK and international Construction Disputes division. She specialises in recruiting top-tier professionals across the construction disputes sector; including claims consultants, quantum experts, delay analysts, and dispute resolution specialists. Nilam partners with premium, and often exclusive, employer clients, connecting them with exceptional talent to drive project success.