Abstract

The Egyptian construction industry's growth has increased the potential for complex disputes.

Dispute Boards (DBs) are globally recognized as an effective Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) method for dispute prevention and timely resolution. However, their adoption in Egypt remains limited. This study identifies and quantitatively assesses the misconceptions hindering DB adoption through a literature review and structured interviews with 16 industry experts with direct DB experience. The research reveals barriers: a significant trust disparity between employers (average pre-trust: 5.1/10) and contractors (average pre-trust: 7.6/10), a misconception of high cost (actual average: 0.251% of contract value), and systemic challenges like delayed appointments and challenges in the enforcement of DB decisions. In response, this paper proposes targeted amendments to Clause 21 of the FIDIC 2017 contract, derived directly from the practical findings. The amendments are designed to mandate timely DB constitution, introduce cost caps, enhance transparency, and establish clear enforcement mechanisms, including summary enforcement. This research aims to provide a practical, evidence-based framework through contractual amendments to FIDIC 2017 Clause 21 that address the barriers hindering effective Dispute Board implementation in Egypt.

School

School of Sciences and Engineering

Department

Construction Engineering Department

Degree Name

MS in Construction Engineering

Graduation Date

Fall 2-15-2026

Submission Date

1-5-2026

First Advisor

Samer Ezeldin

Second Advisor

Waleed El Nemr

Committee Member 1

Ibrahim Abotaleb

Committee Member 2

Ossama El Hosseiny

Committee Member 3

May Haggag

Extent

132 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Disclosure of AI Use

Other

Other use of AI

Check the grammar, spelling, and clarity of the sentences

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Available for download on Wednesday, January 27, 2027

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