Claims & Dispute Management
Even the most well-executed capital projects and businesses are not immune to claims and disputes. What sets successful outcomes apart is how these challenges are managed.
With the right expertise, what begins as a challenge can be turned into a strategic advantage.
Trusted Consultants. Global Expertise.
HKA is the world’s largest and most experienced claims and dispute management practice. Trusted across the global engineering and construction industry, we operate in every major jurisdiction.
What sets HKA apart is our experience across all industry sectors and project types – from large-scale, complex projects to medium- and small-scale developments. We draw from a deep and talented pool of consultants and rapidly deploy the team or individual best suited to your requirements.
Our multi-disciplinary team of specialists works collaboratively to:
- Prepare and defend complex claims
- Transform claims governance frameworks
- Anticipate risks to prevent disputes
- Deliver expert determination
- Facilitate alternative dispute resolution
Why HKA
Comprehensive Claims & Dispute Services
As the leading consultancy in this field, HKA delivers a full spectrum of services across all aspects of claims and dispute management – spanning industries, jurisdictions, and project types.
Claims Analysis
Incisive investigation. Unrivalled experience.
Our experts bring deep insight and proven methodologies to the analysis of contractual entitlement, causation, and the financial and operational impacts of disputes. Using advanced in-house technology and AI capabilities, our teams deliver thorough and incisive investigative services.
We’ve supported clients across sectors — from buildings, infrastructure and energy to technology, manufacturing, and transportation — on projects of every scale, including some of the world’s most complex megaprojects.
HKA’s strength lies in our multi-disciplinary knowledge and the depth of our global team. We bring together leading specialists in planning delay, disruption, and quantum, alongside engineers, architects, project and commercial managers, and quantity surveyors.
Our capabilities also include over 500 forensic technical experts, digital modelling (including BIM), data scientists, economic damages professionals, and forensic accountants.
From rigorous investigations to clear, compelling presentations, our teams are trusted for their expertise, independence, and authority.
We serve a wide range of clients globally, including:
- Claimants and defendants
- Owners and government bodies
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Architectural and engineering firms
- Law firms
- Insurers
- Commercial and investment banks
Claims Governance
Proactive management. Significant savings.
Poorly managed risks often escalate into costly claims and disputes. A proactive approach to claims governance helps clients reduce exposure, protect margins, and improve project outcomes.
Drawing on decades of experience, we work with clients to design and implement governance frameworks that enhance oversight, transparency, and collaboration. These frameworks deliver tangible benefits:
- Early identification of emerging risks
- Improved visibility across contracts and portfolios
- Streamlined monitoring through digital tools
- Standardised processes that build confidence and accountability
- Enhanced performance across current and future engagements
We also strengthen in-house capabilities through tailored training, practical guidance, and tools that support effective claims management and project delivery.
Dispute Avoidance
Anticipate conflict. Enhance performance.
Our deep understanding of conflict drivers — gained through extensive investigations — enables us to help clients anticipate and prevent disputes before they arise.
Effective dispute avoidance starts with procurement and continues through every phase of the project lifecycle. We combine contract, commercial, and planning expertise with technical insight to:
- Recommend optimal contracting frameworks and procurement strategies
- Optimise risk allocation, including warranties and indemnities
- Develop robust contract administration procedures
- Analyse schedules and audit programme sequencing
- Validate quality and payment mechanisms
- Design tailored project controls
Our people have decades of experience resolving disputes through alternative pathways, including mediation, adjudication, and expert determination. Our integrated, multi-disciplinary delivery model and impartiality inspire confidence and enable resolution — even in the most complex situations.
We support clients through a range of ADR mechanisms:
- Expert determination – Trusted across industries and jurisdictions
- Third-party independent assessment – Including virtual workshops to explore creative solutions
- Mediation – From single joint expert roles to our unique Project Neutral approach, which uses technical analysis to support negotiated settlements
- Adjudication – Acting as adjudicator, party representative, impartial advisor, or expert witness
- Dispute boards – Representing clients in proceedings and contract adjudication
How we can help
Across major capital investments and complex projects, claims and disputes can have a serious impact – delaying delivery, inflating costs, and straining relationships.
HKA’s services are designed to meet these challenges head-on, supporting clients across sectors including construction, energy, manufacturing, transportation, technology, and beyond.
With deep insight into the causes of conflict, we help clients identify risks early and take proactive steps to prevent disputes – protecting progress, performance, and outcomes.
Our experts cut through complexity to uncover the facts, apportion responsibility, and quantify the effects of claims, contractual breaches, and technical failures – across commercial, operational, and financial dimensions.
Combining analytical rigour with interpersonal skill, we guide parties towards fair, efficient, and lasting resolutions – whether through negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, or formal proceedings.
With deep insight into the causes of conflict, we help clients identify risks early and take proactive steps to prevent disputes – protecting progress, performance, and outcomes.
Our experts cut through complexity to uncover the facts, apportion responsibility, and quantify the effects of claims, contractual breaches, and technical failures – across commercial, operational, and financial dimensions.
Combining analytical rigour with interpersonal skill, we guide parties towards fair, efficient, and lasting resolutions – whether through negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, or formal proceedings.
Whether in construction, energy, technology, manufacturing, or transport, our integrated multidisciplinary delivery model provides trusted advice and practical solutions that protect value and performance.
