You want to know about Adjudication? Statutory Adjudication via the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

You want to know about Adjudication?

Statutory Adjudication via the Construction Act : Housing Grants Construction and  Regeneration Act 1996 Local Democracy Economic  Development and Construction Act 2009 Intent – Cashflow ; cheap and quick 

ADJ ADJUDICA UDICATION TION of of d dispu ispute tes s ar arising ising un unde der r a “ Con Const struc uction tion Con Contr trac act ” : What is a “Construction Contract?”  Typ ypes es of of D Dispu ispute te:  Payme ayment nt Time Time Def Defec ects/ ts/ sp spec ecifi ifica cation tion co comp mpli lian ance ce Br Brea each of h of Co Contr ntrac act

Rules of the game : Adjudication Rules – set out in the  Contract The Scheme for Construction Contracts  Regulations 1998 / 2011 Nomination / appointment of  Adjudicator

The procedure: Dispute exists  Notice of Adjudication  Appointment of Adjudicator  Referral within 7 days  Response / Reply / Rejoinder  Meeting or questions?  Decision within 28 days of Referral  Extension of time for Decision? 

Costs of the Adjudication : Adjudicator’s Fees  Party Costs  Bridgeway v Tolent [2000]  Yuanda v WW Gear [2010]  Interest : Contractual interest for late payment  Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 

1. Decision is temporarily binding 2. What if they don’t pay? – enforcement of the Decision in Court 3. Reasons for non-enforcement –  Lack of Jurisdiction  Breach of Natural Justice  Insolvency of payee

TRICKS OF THE TRADE : 1. Get the right Adjudicator 2. Define and break-down the dispute 3. Help the Adjudicator to decide in your favour 4. Pick your strongest issues and consider tackling the dispute slice by slice EVIDENCE, EVIDENCE, EVIDENCE 5. Witness Statements and Expert Reports 6. Calderbank Offers to settle

TRAPS FOR THE UNWARY : 1. Get the process right ! 2. Define your dispute 3. Avoid irrelevance / going off track 4. Opinions don’t count 5. Non-disputed points can be taken as agreed ! 6. Is your dispute too big? 7. Keep your costs proportionate 8. You only have one bite at the cherry !

Recent Judgments : Aspect v Higgins [Court of Appeal 2013]  – Limitation period re. payment of an Adjudicator’s Decision Twintec v Volkerfitzpatrick [2014] –  Injunction to stop an Adjudication due to incorrect appointment procedure

Questions…? Richard Hildrick BSc(Hons) MSc MRICS MCIOB FCIArb Email: richard@rjhconsulting.co.uk Tel No: 01347 811155