International Construction Law Association: ICLA Dublin Conference 2026

This years ICLA Conference will be taking place on May 19-20th 2026, at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in Dublin, Ireland

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is one of Ireland’s most prestigious cultural venues, offering a unique blend of 17th-century heritage and cutting-edge contemporary art. Located in the historic Royal Hospital Kilmainham (RHK) in Dublin

This year’s theme is "Megaprojects at home and abroad: Delivery models for project success and dispute avoidance"

This landmark event will address one of the most pressing challenges facing the construction industry today: the successful delivery of megaprojects through innovative contracting and delivery models.
As Ireland embarks on transformative infrastructure projects like the Dublin Metrolink, the timing is ideal to convene global experts to share insights on alternative delivery models that have proven successful worldwide. The conference will explore how to move beyond traditional public works contracts toward collaborative frameworks that better allocate risk and reward innovation.

Background and Rationale:

Ireland's construction industry stands at a critical juncture.
The recent approval of the Dublin Metrolink project – one of the largest infrastructure investments in the state's history – highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. Despite this momentum, Ireland has limited experience in delivering megaprojects of this scale and complexity.   

Traditional public works contracts in Ireland have been characterised by:
• Unfavourable risk allocation that places excessive burden on contractors
• Limited flexibility for innovation and value engineering
• Adversarial relationships that increase disputes and costs
• Brain drain as experienced contractors seek opportunities abroad

Key Conference Themes:

Delivery Models for Infrastructure Success
Examination of PPP, Alliance Contracting, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and hybrid models. Sessions will feature case studies from successful implementations worldwide, with particular focus on how these models can be adapted to the Irish legal and regulatory framework.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Risk Allocation Innovation
Moving from traditional risk transfer to collaborative risk sharing approaches. Expert panels will explore how modern contracts incentivise innovation while protecting all stakeholders, including detailed analysis of risk matrices and gain-share/pain-share mechanisms. 

Legal Framework Evolution
How legislation and regulations must adapt to support modern delivery methods. Sessions will address procurement law reform, dispute resolution innovations, and the role of technology in contract management and compliance.

This conference is designed for senior decision makers and practitioners involved in Megaproject Delivery:

• Government Officials and Policymakers
Those responsible for infrastructure planning, procurement policy, and regulatory frameworks
• Construction Law Practitioners
Lawyers specialising in major projects, international contracts, and dispute resolution
• Major Contractors and Developers
Companies engaged in or pursuing megaproject opportunities
• Project Finance Professionals
Banks, funds, and advisors involved in infrastructure financing
• Engineering and Design Firms
Organisations providing technical services for major projects
• Dispute Resolution Professionals
Arbitrators, mediators, and adjudicators specializing in construction
• Academic Researchers
Scholars studying project delivery, construction law, and infrastructure policy

JOIN US IN DUBLIN TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF MEGAPROJECT DELIVERY

For further information about Tickets or our upcoming Sponsorship packages, please contact Annemarie.bradburn@rimkus.com