As a group of contractors, subcontractors, developers, legal representatives, quantity surveyors, engineers, architects, claims consultants, adjudicators, academics and others involved in the adjudication of construction disputes, we are committed to improving the profile and representation of women as adjudicators. In particular, we consider that women should be appointed as adjudicators on an equal opportunity basis. To achieve this, we will take the steps reasonably available to us – and we will encourage other participants in adjudication to do likewise – to ensure that, wherever possible:
- committees, governing bodies and conference panels in the field of adjudication include a fair representation of women;
- lists of potential adjudicators provided to or considered by parties, legal representatives (including in-house counsel) or otherwise include a fair representation of female candidates;
- Adjudicator Nominating Bodies (ANBs) include a fair representation of female candidates on their rosters and lists of potential adjudicator appointees, where maintained by them;
- where they have the power to do so, legal representatives, adjudicators, representatives of corporates and ANBs will, when appointing adjudicators, advance equality of opportunity between male adjudicators and female adjudicators;
- gender characteristic statistics for appointments are collated and made publicly available by the ANBs and any other institutions collating data on adjudication; and
- senior and experienced adjudication practitioners support, mentor/sponsor and encourage women to pursue adjudication appointments and otherwise enhance their profiles and practice.