What is adjudication in construction?

Alice Tupe, an Associate Solicitor at Steel Raymond, specializing in construction disputes, introduces a series about adjudication and its benefits for businesses in resolving construction disputes.

Adjudication is a form of alternative dispute resolution for construction disputes, introduced by the Housing Grants, Regeneration and Construction Act 1996 (Construction Act). This act aimed to assist smaller companies that struggled to afford the expensive and time-consuming court process, providing a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to traditional litigation or arbitration.

The adjudication process typically lasts 28 days, though this period can be extended by agreement between the involved parties.

An adjudicator is appointed by the parties to help resolve the dispute. They review and consider all submitted documents from both sides before making a decision.

Adjudicators are not necessarily lawyers, but often are, particularly senior lawyers with expertise in the construction industry, such as barristers specializing in construction law. However, they can also be other experts within the construction industry, such as chartered surveyors or professionals from similar bodies.