Circumstantial Silence in Construction Projects– Implications for Variations and Claims

In construction projects, silence can be strategic — yet it often serves as a precursor to conflict. Whether stemming from tactical delay, ambiguity in communication, or the avoidance of contractual obligations, the deliberate withholding of a response can significantly alter the balance of power between parties. Speakers: Dr. Waleed El Nemr, FCIArb, Vice Chair – Ciarb Egypt Branch Eng. Maged Raouf Fayek, MCIArb, Contracts & Claims Director, CCE – KSA. Moderator: Prof. Dr. Ismail Selim, Chair, Ciarb Egypt Branch An insightful seminar titled “Circumstantial Silence in Construction Projects – Implications for Variations and Claims”. Building on the acclaimed paper presented and published at the AACE International Conference in Anaheim, California (June 2025), this session dissected how silence is used as a tool to gain advantage and how to effectively manage it. For reference regarding the paper and the previous US version of this topic, you may visit: AACE International LinkedIn page . The Seminar is jointly organized by the Ciarb Egypt Branch, Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA), and the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) Egypt Section