Challenging Disallowed Cost

Subtle differences in the interpretation of a contract can have a significant impact on the rights and obligations of the parties. In the recent case of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (“Network Rail”) v ABC Electrification Limited (“ABC”), over £13million potentially […]

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Can an Employer Pay a Sub-Contractor Direct and Recover the Payment from the Contractor?

In the recent arbitration appeal case of Nobiskrug GMBH (“Nobiskrug”) v Valla Yachts Limited (“Valla”), two interesting issues were remitted to the tribunal for further consideration relating to the recovery of sums via damages and undue enrichment. Background Nobiskrug was […]

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When Does an Adjudicator’s Error Amount to a Breach of Natural Justice?

One of the few grounds available for resisting the enforcement of an adjudicator’s decision is a claim of breach of the rules of natural justice. In the case of JJ Rhatigan & Co (UK) Limited (“Rhatigan”) v Rosemary Lodge Developments […]

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Adjudication Enforcement – Fraud and Stays of Execution

In the most recent instalment of proceedings between Grandlane Developments Limited (“Grandlane”) and Skymist Holdings Limited (“Skymist”), following its unsuccessful challenge as to the validity of the adjudicator’s appointment, Skymist sought to resist enforcement of the adjudicator’s decision on the […]

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Resisting Enforcement of an Adjudicator’s Decision – The Fraud Defence

Attempts to resist enforcement of adjudication decisions by alleging they were procured by fraud are becoming more common, PBS Energo A.S v Bester Generacion UK Limited [2019] was “one of those rare adjudication cases” whereby the defence was successful and […]

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NEC4 Amendments – What Do You Need to Know?

NEC has published a set of amendments to the NEC4 suite of contracts published in June 2017. Although released in March 2019, these amendments are referred to as the January 2019 amendments (the “Amendments”). This bulletin explains what the main […]

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When is a Contract Formed?

Parties often face tight deadlines and are eager to commence works as soon as possible. As a result, letters of intent are commonly used within the construction industry on the joint understanding that a formal contract will be executed soon […]

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Are You Adjudicating Against the Right Party?

It is an established principle that an adjudicator does not have jurisdiction in respect of a dispute referred against an entity which was not a party to the contract. However, the recent case of Gerard Ferns & Kerry-Ann Ferns v Keith […]

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Life after S&T v Grove; TCC Guidance on ‘Smash and Grab’

In M Davenport Builders Ltd v Greer & Anor [2019], one of the first cases to consider the enforcement of a ‘smash and grab’ adjudication since the Court of Appeal’s landmark ruling in S&T(UK) Ltd v Grove Developments Ltd [2018], […]

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Is Challenging an Adjudicator’s Decision by Using Enforcement Proceedings an Abuse of Process?

The courts have adopted a swift approach to adjudication enforcement. However, in the recent case of Amey LG Limited (“ALG”) v Amey Birmingham Highways Limited (“ABHL”), ALG sought to use that same process to have an adjudicator’s decision declared a […]

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