Dispute resolution

Diploma in Arbitration

• 420 hours formal CPD

Online

£3780 + VAT

Save 10% when you book all 3 modules together

Seeking work in the capacity of an arbitrator, planning to act in representing parties, or simply interested in the field of arbitration?

Ensure you have the relevant skills and knowledge but also the ability to apply this in practice.

Overview

Who should attend?

Professionals working within the built environment who want to gain a comprehensive and practical knowledge of the arbitral process or wishing to act as an advocate in arbitrations.

What will you receive at the end of the course?

The programme is structured to be equivalent to a Level 7 qualification on the National Qualification framework, equating to a post graduate qualification.

Apply for membership of CIArb (MCIArb)

RICS is a recognised Course Provider with CIArb. Those that
successfully complete the Diploma in Arbitration can apply for membership of
CIArb (MCIArb).

The RICS Diploma in Arbitration is also the key criteria for admission onto the RICS President’s Panel of Arbitrators as and when vacancies arise.

Format

This 18-month course has been designed to provide comprehensive and intensive training to develop your practical skills and knowledge and further your understanding of the principles of arbitration so that you can confidently advise or represent parties.

The course is run fully online, this includes webinars, tutorials and assessments.

✔ Flexibility

Study from a place that suits you

✔ Interact with your trainer

Ask your trainer questions during live webinars or through our online platform

✔ Watch your session again

Revisit tutorials through an online recording, available after the session

✔ Participants forum

Share your thoughts and experience with your peers

✔ Get your formal CPD

Assessment: The course modules will be assessed by assignments and time-controlled examinations. Please refer to the course brochure for more information, including the credit value of each module.

Take ownership of your career - Diploma in Arbitration (PDF 6.59MB)

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The Legal System

Comparison of common law and civil law

Contractual

Quasi-contract

Tort

Arbitration Law including the Law of Evidence (Part 1)

History of Arbitration

Arbitration in the context of other methods of dispute resolution

The Arbitration Act

Evidence as it applies in arbitration

The jurisdiction, powers duties of the arbitrator

The powers and duties of the parties

Arbitration agreements

The role of arbitral institutions, arbitration rules and administered schemes

Commencement of arbitration

Practice and Procedure (Part 2)

Commencing the arbitration

Managing the reference submissions

Oral evidence

Costs

Evidence

Awards

Techniques of judging

Interest

Enforcement

The hearing

Learning Outcomes

Develop your knowledge of the Law of Obligations within the context of the English Legal System and Civil Law that underpins a more detailed study of dispute resolution.
Gain a full understanding of the Law of Arbitration and ensure you are aware of the underlying requirements relating to the presentation of evidence to a tribunal.
Examine the arbitration practice and procedure as defined by the Arbitration Act 1996
Develop the necessary skills for drafting and evaluating evidence and award writing.

FAQ's

No, however you'll need to have a good concept of English and be able to produce essays and exam answers in English. The tutorials and assessments will be conducted in English with some marks in the assessments being attributed to; English, punctuation and grammar.

The diploma runs for 18 months, however you have 4 years from first registering to complete the diploma.

Yes, you can but please bear in mind that this diploma is based on UK domestic law. If you are based in the Middle East or Africa, we also offer a Diploma in International Arbitration which is based on UNCITRAL Model Law. Click here to find our more: Diploma in International Arbitration (MENA) (rics.org)

You can pay for each module individually, payment for each module must be received before the module start date. Or if you would like to book all three modules together you can benefit from a 10% discount.

It’s possible to complete the modules out of order but we strongly recommend you complete them consecutively, particularly that you complete Module 2 before moving on to Module 3.

Reading materials are not provided and costs vary depending on where you purchase them.

Some previous study may potentially mean you are eligible for exemption, however please be aware this is assessed on an individual basis and may involve a fee. Please get in touch with us for more information drseducation@rics.org

All tutorials are recorded but to benefit from discussions and activities which take place at the tutorials we highly recommend they are attended.

You will have the opportunity to resit the assessments, please note there will be a resit fee for each assessment.

We understand that this diploma is often completed alongside work and personal commitments so we will allow you to defer your learning to a later diploma cohort. The first deferral you request is free of charge but any subsequent deferrals will be charged at £150 plus VAT. Please bear in mind that this diploma needs to be completed within 4 years of its start date.

When shortages on a panel are identified, applications are invited from those who have completed the diploma, meet the appropriate criteria and are able to fulfil the current recruitment need. Find out more about our panels here: Panel of Dispute Resolvers & Expert Witnesses (rics.org)

For your business

Interested in this course for your employees? Request a callback from our dedicated training support team by emailing training@rics.org or calling +44 (0) 2476868584

Course Dates:

Diploma in Arbitration (Full Course) - Monday 24 March 2025 info Book the entire Diploma in Arbitration course upfront and save 10%

£3780 + VAT

Diploma in Arbitration: Module One - Monday 24 March 2025

£1250 + VAT

Diploma in Arbitration: Module Two - Monday 22 September 2025

£1475 + VAT

Diploma in Arbitration: Module Three - Monday 18 May 2026

£1475 + VAT

Meet the trainers

Chris Dancaster

Chartered Arbitrator and Adjudicator, Christopher Dancaster

Chris Dancaster is a hugely experienced Chartered Quantity Surveyor and a practising Arbitrator and Adjudicator, having been appointed to over 500 disputes. He is a long-serving member of both the RICS Panel of Construction Adjudicators and the RICS Panel of Construction Arbitrators. Chris was Course Director of the CEM Diploma in Adjudication from inception until 2017 when the Dispute Resolution courses were disbanded. Chris is also on the tutorial faculty of the CIArb. Chris teaches all aspects of arbitration and adjudication practice but in particular, he draws on his wealth of experience to guide delegates through the perils and pitfalls of conducting the dispute resolution process in practice.

What our delegates say...

“The quality of the tutors chosen for the different modules was what made this course stand out for me. Each was very experienced in their respective fields. There was a university professor of law to take us through the Law of Obligations module and a practicing arbitrator taught the final Award Writing module. This gave a real insight into the different aspects of the arbitral process.”

Liam Melly

Forensic Delay Analyst, Assured CE Ltd

“The course was well constructed and a great eye opener to the basics of Contract and Tort through to the intricacies of an arbitration. I got a lot out of each assessment in my submissions and in my professional life. Each of the relevant tutors were clearly experts and highly knowledgeable. Their knowledge provided an oasis of welcome learning inputs, always at the right time. I have enjoyed the course, thoroughly and miss its deadlines and learning.”

Richard McConn

Director, D G Jones & Partners

“I thought online learning balanced with in-the-room tutorials worked well. It was interesting to meet other people who had been involved in rent reviews. You have to be disciplined to learn online and force yourself to make time for it, but it was an adaptable programme, accessible and flexible in terms of time.”

Robert Burke

Director, Lambert Smith Hampton

Choose a surveyor to be your arbitrator

This scenario hints at the fact conflict often occurs on construction and engineering projects, large or small

£3780

+ VAT

Save 10% when you book all 3 modules together

Diploma in Arbitration