Notice of adjudication: definition and example
The notice identifying the dispute to be adjudicated and the remedy sought, starting the applicable procedural timetable.
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 paragraph 5 of Part I of the Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998 and paragraph 7 of Part I of the Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998.
The notice identifies the dispute being referred and the remedy sought. Under the England-and-Wales Scheme, the referral must follow within seven days of the notice. Appointment and service need careful coordination; a poorly defined notice can create jurisdictional or procedural disputes.
Check the applicable rules before starting the clock. A claim viability review can organise the underlying claim, while formal procedure may require specialist advice.
Worked example
The facts
A subcontractor is considering referring a disputed valuation to adjudication.
What happens
It defines the dispute and requested decision from the existing exchanges.
It checks that the referral documents and appointment arrangements can meet the applicable timetable.
What this shows
The notice starts a procedural sequence; it should not be sent as a casual payment reminder.
Sources
- Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998, SI 1998/649, Schedule, Part I, para 5 (Notice of intention to seek adjudication). legislation.gov.uk.
- Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998, SI 1998/649, Schedule, Part I, para 7 (Notice of intention to seek adjudication). legislation.gov.uk.