Based on the foundation of his architectural practice, Ian Salisbury has over 20 years been appointed in several hundred dispute resolution cases in the United Kingdom and overseas, acting as arbitrator, mediator, adjudicator, and expert witness. He is retained on the panels of several professional appointment bodies including the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and is by invitation on the London 2012 panel of adjudicators.

He decided the very first adjudication under the provisions of the Housing Grants, Construction & Regeneration Act and was the first adjudicator invited to decide costs. Only three of his decisions have been challenged, all being upheld.

Published cases in which his opinion as an expert architect have been relied upon by the Court include Cala v McAlpine [1995] F.S.R. 818, Jones v London Borough of Tower Hamlets [2001] R.P.C. 23 and McGlinn v Waltham Contractors and others [2007] CILL 2441. One decision as an arbitrator has been appealed and upheld: V P Developments v Penwith District Council [2007] EWHC 2544 (TCC).

A very high proportion (about 70%) of his cases reach amicable resolution. Cases where he has been appointed have included: