Construction Dispute Resolution 101
Hard Hats, Hard Lessons: The Real Cost of Construction Disputes and how NOT to do it.
What you will learn
Through the astonishing real-life court case of a routine construction dispute gone wrong, this workshop will teach you how to:
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How to spot early warning signs of conflict and prevent escalation.
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How to choose the best resolution pathway for your situation.
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How to make better decisions at key conflict junctures to contain cost and risk.
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How to apply practical conflict-prevention strategies to protect your client, your project, and your reputation.
Construction Dispute Resolution 101
When the Dust Settles: Lessons from a Construction Dispute Gone Wrong
COURSE CONTENT
It started with one unpaid invoice and ended five years later in financial ruin, reputational damage, and heartbreak : through a real-life case-study worthy of a courtroom drama, we dissect an all-too-common construction dispute.
The twists and turns of its dramatic escalation will allow you to explore each decision point and discover how they could have been handled differently. You’ll uncover how poor communication, rigid positions, and ignored warning signs turned a simple disagreement into a legal nightmare.
By walking through the chain of missteps, you’ll learn how to recognise these same patterns in your own projects and understand the practical tools available to resolve or even prevent conflict altogether.
This 3-hour accredited workshop is designed for any professional who wants to keep their projects, and sanity, intact.
With no prior dispute-resolution experience required, this workshop provides a practical roadmap for successfully dealing with common conflicts in the construction industry.
COURSE INFO
CPD CREDITS AND CATEGORY |
0.3X Category 1 CPD Credit |
DATE: |
11 March 2026 |
TIME AND VENUE: |
8h00-11h00 |
PRICING: |
R550 SAIA EC and SACAP Accredited |
Meet your instructor
Professional Architect and Mediation Specialist Ryan von Ruben
Ryan von Ruben is a Cape Town–based architect. After graduating from the AA School of Architecture, he worked for John McAslan and Norman Foster before establishing his own practice in London in 2005. He is also an accredited mediator and lectures at the University of Cape Town. He leads RVR2 Architecture and Mediation, a practice focused on design through engagement, heritage and regulatory compliance, and conflict-resolution within the built environment.
He founded the CIFA Mediation Clinic and developed a three-part CPD programme that introduces architects to facilitative mediation, conflict prevention, and the strategic management of professional relationships. His mediation work draws on negotiation theory, risk analysis, and collaborative problem-solving.
Ryan has practiced architecture for nearly three decades and has lived and worked in the UK, USA, France, and South Africa. He is also a published novelist.