References

Context

The project involves the construction of a residential tower in Warsaw, Poland, under a lump-sum contract valued at €25.8M (excl. VAT). Following termination of the contract by the Client, an arbitration dispute arose between the two parties concerning the final account, contractual penalties, damages and the contractor's claims. Argos Construction acted as quantum expert in support of the contractor INSO, in order to analyse and value the company's counterclaim.

Mission

Disputes & Arbitration

Objectives

• Analyse and respond to the Client's statement of claim on a line-by-line basis;
• Assess and value the contractor's counterclaim (additional works, losses and damages, termination costs, interest);
• Identify and demonstrate errors and omissions in the valuation carried out by the opposing party's expert.

Stakes

• Contract value: ≈€25.8M — lump-sum contract;
• Total gap between the parties' positions: over €17.5M;
• Key issues in dispute: termination penalty (10% of the contract price), damages for delay (76 days), additional works arising from the Client's variations, payments to subcontractors, defective works, loss of margin on unexecuted works.

Context

As part of an ICC arbitration between a Turkish contractor and an Algerian project owner, Argos Construction acted as an independent expert.
The project under arbitration is located in Algeria and involves a mixed development combining new construction and refurbishment to create a real estate complex including a shopping center, a hotel, office spaces, an underground parking facility, and a conference center.
The total construction cost amounts to €100 million, with an initial execution period of 27 months.
The project experienced a delay extension of 22 months, and the parties were unable to determine their respective responsibilities.Describe the project context in 3 to 5 sentences: nature of the project, stakeholders, issues encountered and the value added by Argos Construction.

Mission

Argos Construction was appointed by the contractor (the respondent) as an independent expert to provide an opinion on the causes of the project delays and their financial consequences.

Objectives

• Analysis of contractual, technical, and administrative documents
• Review of contemporaneous project records
• Preparation of a report analyzing the causes of delays and their financial impact
• Review of opposing expert reports and preparation of rebuttal reports
• Participation in arbitration hearings to support our findings

Stakes

• €30 million in additional costs and damages claimed by the contractor
• €40 million in damages claimed by the project owner

Context

The project involves the construction of 3 buildings comprising 121 residential units and 2 commercial units, together with 38 villas, located in Ajaccio.
Works commenced in early 2023 before being suspended in July of the same year.
Argos Construction intervened, from late 2025, in the capacity of ad hoc administrator to assist the guarantor (GFA) in fulfilling its obligation to complete the works.

Mission

E.g.: Contract Management

Objectives

• Take all decisions necessary for the management and completion of the programme;
• Redefine the programme;
• Assess the works and interventions remaining to be carried out;
• Prepare a projected financial statement;
• Submit the amended building permit application;
• Procure and supervise, acting as substitute project owner specifically responsible for completion, all necessary works;
• Audit the purchasers' accounts;
• Arrange for formal certification of programme completion;
• Organise the handover and acceptance process;
• Settle the final accounts with the contractors.

Stakes

• Duration of remaining works: 40 months;
• Value of remaining works: ~€ 20 M excl. VAT.

Mission

Critical path analysis — hotel complex (3 hotels, 800 rooms, 22 ha)

Objectives

• Contractual and technical delay analysis
• Compliance issues analysis
• Hearing preparation and advocacy

Stakes

• Delay of at least 5.5 months on an initial 14-month schedule
• €8M plus interest

Results

Reports submitted; amicable settlement reached

Mission

Criticality analysis of events — court-appointed expertise

Objectives

• Analysis of unitary and cumulative impacts of changes
• Analysis of delays attributable to the general contractor

Stakes

• 8-month delay on an initial 18-month schedule
• €15.5M on an initial €42M contract (37%).

Results

Reports submitted, proceedings in progress.

Mission

Delay and cost impact analysis — court-appointed expertise (termination)

Objectives

• Critical analysis of the opposing party's report and impact assessment
• Report on the contractual situation

Stakes

• €8.5M on a €32M contract (32%).

Results

To come.

Mission

Final account analysis — weather-tight stage

Objectives

• Analysis of design changes and time entitlements
• Review of the general contractor's claims and Architect's opinion
• Analysis of the account line items

Stakes

• 6-month delay on an initial 2-year schedule
• €5M on a €11M contract (32%).

Results

To come.

Mission

Technical advisor to the Owner — amicable expertise

Objectives

• Analysis of the general contractor's claim files
• Review of pricing and conclusions

Stakes

• 6-month delay on an initial 56-month schedule
• €20M on a €300M contract.

Results

Amicable negotiation.

Mission

Delay and quantum expertise — ICC arbitration (termination)

Objectives

• Analysis of disruptive events and damages
• Review of the Owner's claim
• Hearing advocacy (in English)

Stakes

• €10M on a €25M contract (i.e. 40% of the contract amount).

Results

Awaiting ruling.