The Secretary for Development Carrie Lam urges the wider use of a partnering approach and the dispute resolution advisors system in public works contracts to encourage the resolution of all differences in opinion before formal disputes arise.

Opening a forum on the use of various alternative dispute resolution methods in public works projects today Mrs Lam said the Government has decided an addition of 15 upcoming contracts, equivalent to about 50% of all upcoming major contracts to commence between mid-2009 and early 2010, and two existing contracts, by means of supplementary agreements, will adopt the dispute resolution advisors system.

To ensure a sufficient supply of good quality dispute resolution advisors the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre will help organise training courses.

"Once disputes arise the Government is keen to see them resolved in a speedy manner so justified payments to contractors can be secured in the shortest time possible," Mrs Lam said.

"I am glad the Construction Industry Council Committee on Subcontracting is about to issue a guideline on dispute resolution. The guideline will provide a host of different alternative dispute resolution methods for employers and contractors in the public and private sectors to choose from in order to cater for different scenarios where disputes may arise."