Registration has opened for the Conflict Avoidance Conference 2026, bringing construction clients, contractors, consultants, commercial professionals and legal specialists together in London for a full day focused on preventing disputes before they damage project delivery.
The conference will take place on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at Plaisterers’ Hall, One London Wall, London, from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Under the theme “Promoting Co-operation in Construction”, the programme will examine how conflict-avoidance principles can be embedded within procurement, contract administration, project governance and live construction delivery.
London Construction Magazine is a signatory member of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition and supports its objective of encouraging construction organisations to recognise and address emerging disagreements before they escalate into formal disputes, prolonged claims or damaging supply-chain conflict.
The Conflict Avoidance Conference 2026 will focus on the practical behaviours, contractual processes and governance arrangements that can help projects resolve disagreements earlier. Registration is now open, with early-bird tickets available for £99 + VAT until 31 July 2026.
Jump to: Event details | Programme | Speakers | Industry relevance | LCM and the Coalition | Sponsorship | Tickets | FAQ
Conflict Avoidance Conference 2026: Event Details
| Event Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Conflict Avoidance Conference 2026 |
| Date | Wednesday 16 September 2026 |
| Time | 9.00am to 5.00pm |
| Venue | Plaisterers’ Hall, One London Wall, London EC2Y 5JU |
| Theme | Promoting Co-operation in Construction |
| Early-bird ticket | £99 + VAT until 31 July 2026 |
| Audience | Construction clients, contractors, consultants, suppliers, commercial teams, lawyers and infrastructure professionals |
What the Conference Programme Will Cover
The programme begins by examining the current state of the construction industry, including the conditions contributing to disputes, the commercial and operational challenges affecting project teams and the changes expected to influence delivery over the coming years. A major part of the conference will consider why construction clients are adopting conflict-avoidance approaches. Representatives connected with the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme and the Environment Agency will discuss the attraction of earlier intervention, how collaborative practices can be introduced and what clients expect from their contractors and consultants.
The programme will also explore what can be done before a construction contract is signed. This includes building collaborative project teams, establishing the foundations for effective working relationships and using the Conflict Avoidance Toolkit during procurement and mobilisation. Contract drafting and amendment will receive particular attention. Construction contracts are frequently amended to redistribute risk, introduce project-specific obligations or respond to client requirements. The conference will examine why standard forms are changed, when amendments may become counterproductive and how contractual complexity can itself contribute to disagreement.
An international session will consider lessons from infrastructure projects outside the UK, including the use of dispute boards, the influence of project funders and the extent to which conflict-avoidance mechanisms are already embedded within major international programmes. The final sessions will examine why organisations should sign the Conflict Avoidance Pledge, how the principles operate in practice and what the Coalition should prioritise during the remainder of 2026. The conference will conclude with a wider discussion about how the construction industry can move away from entrenched adversarial behaviour and create a culture that addresses problems earlier.
Related LCM Intelligence
The conference follows the Coalition’s forthcoming construction payment and cash-flow interview with Dalkia Engineering.
The client perspective is explored further in London Construction Magazine’s analysis of why UK construction clients are adopting conflict-avoidance methods.
Readers planning their wider industry calendar can also consult LCM’s guide to UK construction and demolition events in 2026.
Construction Clients, Contractors and Legal Specialists to Speak
The conference programme brings together speakers with experience across public-sector procurement, infrastructure delivery, construction contracting, commercial management and dispute prevention.
| Speaker | Organisation or Role | Conference Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Sue Barrett | Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority | Why major clients are adopting conflict avoidance |
| Veronica Flint Williams | Environment Agency | Commercial strategy, partnerships and client expectations |
| Ed Moore | Chief Executive, ResoLex | Pre-contract collaboration and building effective teams |
| Anthony Armitage | General Counsel, Thirdway | Amending standard-form construction contracts |
| Jeremy Glover | Fenwick Elliott LLP and Vice-President of the Coalition | International infrastructure and dispute-avoidance practice |
| Len Bunton | President, Conflict Avoidance Coalition | The Pledge and conflict avoidance in practice |
| Iain McIlwee | Chief Executive, Finishes and Interiors Sector | Supply-chain participation and industry culture |
| Edward Schryver | Group Commercial Director, VVB Engineering | Contractor experience and the practical value of the Pledge |
Why Conflict Avoidance Matters to Construction Delivery
Construction projects inevitably generate differences over payment, design responsibility, variations, compensation events, access, delay, defects, programme obligations and the interpretation of contractual requirements. The presence of a disagreement does not necessarily mean that a project relationship has failed. The greater risk arises when an issue remains unresolved while notices, financial exposure and programme pressure continue to accumulate. Positions can become entrenched, project teams may begin protecting themselves rather than solving the underlying problem and an issue that could once have been managed operationally can develop into adjudication, arbitration or litigation.
Conflict avoidance does not remove contractual rights, prevent legitimate claims or replace proper contract administration. Projects must still issue notices, maintain accurate records, assess payments, manage change and comply with their contractual obligations. Its practical value is in creating a structured route for identifying issues, bringing the appropriate decision-makers together and intervening while there is still an opportunity to protect the programme, commercial relationship and wider supply chain.
Who Should Attend the Conference?
The event is relevant to professionals involved in construction procurement, project delivery, commercial management, contract administration and dispute prevention. This includes public and private-sector clients, developers, project directors, commercial directors, quantity surveyors, project managers, contract managers, principal contractors, specialist subcontractors, consultants, designers, engineers and construction lawyers.
The programme may be particularly useful to organisations working on complex infrastructure and building projects where delivery depends on several contractual interfaces and where unresolved design, programme or payment issues can quickly spread across the supply chain.
London Construction Magazine and the Conflict Avoidance Coalition
London Construction Magazine is a signatory member of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition. Its participation reflects LCM’s editorial focus on the connection between contractual behaviour, commercial pressure, project governance and real construction delivery. Construction disputes rarely emerge from one isolated event. They commonly develop through a combination of delayed decisions, unclear responsibility, incomplete information, disputed payment, poorly managed change and a failure to intervene before the consequences affect the wider programme.
LCM will continue to report independently on the Coalition’s activities and on the wider use of conflict-avoidance methods across UK construction. Membership and participation do not alter the publication’s independent editorial position.
Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
The Coalition has also opened sponsorship opportunities for organisations seeking visibility among construction and infrastructure clients, contractors, consultants and suppliers attending the conference.
| Package | Price | Included Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | £1,750 | Logo on promotional materials, two conference tickets and acknowledgement by the introductory speaker. |
| Gold | £5,000 | Logo on promotional materials, an event stand and banner, three tickets and acknowledgement by the introductory speaker. |
| Platinum | £15,000 | Sponsorship of the post-conference drinks, logo on promotional materials, an event stand and banner, four tickets and acknowledgement by the introductory speaker. |
Organisations interested in conference sponsorship can contact Jeremy Glover at jglover@fenwickelliott.com.
How to Book Conflict Avoidance Conference Tickets
Tickets are now available, with an early-bird rate of £99 + VAT applying until 31 July 2026. Attendees who are not existing RICS members may be required to complete a short registration process before booking through the RICS platform.
Evidence-Based Summary
The Conflict Avoidance Conference 2026 will take place at Plaisterers’ Hall in London on Wednesday 16 September.
The programme will examine client adoption, pre-contract collaboration, standard-form contract amendments, international infrastructure practice and the practical value of the Conflict Avoidance Pledge.
Speakers will represent major construction clients, contractors, consultants, commercial teams and the legal profession.
Early-bird tickets are available for £99 + VAT until 31 July 2026.
London Construction Magazine is a signatory member of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition and will continue covering the development of conflict-avoidance practice across UK construction.
FAQ: Conflict Avoidance Conference 2026
When is the Conflict Avoidance Conference 2026?
The conference will take place on Wednesday 16 September 2026 from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Where is the conference being held?
The event will be held at Plaisterers’ Hall, One London Wall, London EC2Y 5JU.
What is the conference theme?
The 2026 theme is “Promoting Co-operation in Construction.”
How much are conference tickets?
Early-bird tickets are available for £99 + VAT until 31 July 2026. Attendees should check the official event page for subsequent ticket rates and availability.
What topics will the conference cover?
The programme will address the causes of construction disputes, client adoption of conflict avoidance, pre-contract collaboration, contract amendments, international infrastructure experience, the Conflict Avoidance Pledge and wider industry culture.
Who should attend?
The event is intended for construction clients, contractors, consultants, suppliers, commercial teams, project managers, quantity surveyors, lawyers and other professionals involved in project delivery and dispute prevention.
Is London Construction Magazine part of the Coalition?
Yes. London Construction Magazine is a signatory member of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition and supports earlier intervention and collaborative resolution of emerging construction disagreements.
Are conference sponsorship packages available?
Yes. Silver, Gold and Platinum sponsorship packages are available, including promotional visibility and conference tickets. Interested organisations should contact the Coalition using the sponsorship contact provided above.
Source Context and Editorial Note
This London Construction Magazine event announcement is based on information supplied and published by the Conflict Avoidance Coalition concerning the Conflict Avoidance Conference 2026, its programme, speakers, ticket arrangements and sponsorship opportunities.
The article is provided for construction-industry information and event awareness. Conference timings, speakers, programme content, ticket prices, availability and sponsorship arrangements may change. Readers should confirm the latest information through the official conference page before booking or making travel arrangements.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
