In this course, students study advanced topics in construction contracting. It is a follow-up to CIV1279H, which provides a general introduction to contract documents. The course specifically focuses on the claims and alternative dispute resolution processes. The complexity of today's contracts and the increasing dynamics of project scope and work plans can result in change orders and/or conflicts between project stakeholders — typically between the owner and the contractor.

In this course, students study means to reduce conflict and claims through designing protocols for tracking project scope changes; evaluation of the conditions under which to file a claim (form the contractor perspective); and assess means to evaluate the merit of a claim (from the owner perspective). Because claims could be contentious, industry best practices have evolved to seek alternative means to resolve conflicts in project plans. The students will compare alternatives for reducing conflicts and resolving claims, including their applicability to various project conditions, and how to manage an alternative dispute resolution process.