Adjudication: definition and example
A fast way to have a construction dispute decided by an independent adjudicator, usually within 28 days of the referral.
By Jack Butler-Kettle · Updated
Guidance for England and Wales. Check the contract, amendments and facts that apply to your job.
What it means in practice
Read this alongside section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and Part I of the Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998.
Adjudication is a dispute-resolution process, not an automatic debt-collection service. The dispute, jurisdiction, notices and evidence need to be identified before a referral. For contracts covered by the Construction Act, the statutory framework provides a right to adjudicate; permitted extensions can change the usual decision period.
A claim viability review can help assess the evidence and proportionate next steps. Formal proceedings and specialist representation need a separately agreed scope.
Worked example
The facts
A flooring subcontractor and main contractor disagree about £12,000 of measured work.
What happens
The subcontractor identifies the disputed valuation and exchanges its supporting measurements.
Before starting adjudication, it checks the applicable procedure, costs and documents needed.
What this shows
A defined dispute and organised evidence support a considered decision about adjudication; they do not guarantee the result.