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Ireland Adopts ICC Arbitration for High-Value Public Construction Contracts

Ireland, in a significant change, has decided to make ICC Arbitration the default dispute resolution mechanism for public construction contracts above €1 million.

The decision was announced by the Irish Office of Government Procurement (OGP) on 16 June 2026. While parties may still choose a domestic procedure as a mutual choice, ICC Arbitration will apply by default to qualifying contracts.

The move is expected to strengthen confidence in the process of resolving complex construction disputes by providing a transparent and internationally recognised arbitration framework. It also throws light on the increasing acceptance of institutional arbitration for domestic disputes, in addition to cross border commercial matters.

The President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration said the decision reflects the OGP’s trust in ICC Arbitration and gives the parties to the contract confidence that disputes will be resolved fairly and efficiently.

To support the implementation, ICC, in collaboration with ICC Ireland, will be organising training programs to build awareness of the ICC Arbitration process and assist the legal practitioners and law firms in navigating the process.

This initiative aligns with the overall objective of ICC i.e., promoting accessible, and effective dispute resolution processes worldwide.