Within reason: TCC content to enforce succinct Decision

In Bexhill Construction Ltd v Kingsmead Homes Ltd [2023], the TCC held that an adjudicator’s decision was enforceable and rejected arguments that the adjudicator had breached the rules of natural justice by not considering all defences raised. Background Kingsmead Homes […]

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Pay first, or risk disappointment: court declines to save ‘true value’ adjudication commenced prematurely

In Henry Construction Projects Ltd v Alu-Fix (UK) Ltd [2023], the TCC declined to enforce a true value adjudication decision where that adjudication had been commenced before the contractor had discharged its immediate payment obligation to its subcontractor arising from […]

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The first answer is often the right one: Court of Appeal upholds Adjudicator’s ‘Primary Decision’

In Sudlows Ltd v Global Switch Estates 1 Ltd [2023] EWCA Civ 813, the Court of Appeal has provided useful guidance as to the approach to be adopted when considering potential overlap between adjudication decisions. Background to the Case Global […]

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No get-off through set-off: TCC rejects Defendant’s attempt to set-off competing adjudication awards

FK Construction Ltd v ISG Retail Ltd [2023] In FK Construction Ltd v ISG Retail Ltd [2023], the Court declined to exercise its discretion to permit set-offs arising from other adjudication decisions between the same parties.  The Background to the […]

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Courts Enforce ‘Alternative Decision’ of Adjudicator Despite Breach of Natural Justice.

Adjudication is a quick and efficient method of resolving construction disputes which sometimes results in rough justice being served.  But while that goes with the territory, the adjudicator must nevertheless observe the rules of procedural fairness and ‘natural’ justice, as […]

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The worst part: inappropriate use of Part 8 proceedings in an effort to resist enforcement

Issuing a Part 8 claim is a strategy respondent parties sometimes adopt in an effort to resist enforcement of an adjudicator’s decision. However, the criteria set out in Part 8 are narrower than is commonly imagined, and often as not, […]

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Life after death? The uncertain effect of an Adjudicator’s Decision on subsequent contract procedures

It is often said that an adjudicator’s decision is of ‘temporary finality’. That is to say, it is contractually binding upon the parties unless and until their underlying dispute is finally determined by way of arbitration or litigation. But quite […]

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Court refuses to enforce two adjudication awards where the claimant is subject to a CVA

The ability of a party in a company voluntary arrangement (“CVA”) to enforce an adjudicator’s decision is a question to be determined on a case-by-case basis. The recent decision in FTH Limited v Varis Developments Limited [2022] provides a useful […]

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Natural Justice: it must be done

Questions of procedural fairness remain important in adjudication. In the recent case of Liverpool City Council -v- Vital Infrastructure Asset Management (VIAM) Ltd (In Administration) [2022] the Technology and Construction Court provided declaratory relief rendering an adjudicator’s decision unenforceable because […]

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Lessons from the Court of Appeal: How not to go about enforcing a judgment on behalf of a company in liquidation

In John Doyle Construction Limited v Erith Contractors Limited [2021], the Court of Appeal (“CoA”) discussed the principles which apply when enforcing an adjudicator’s decision in favour of an insolvent company. Background In 2010, Erith Contractors Limited (“Erith”) engaged John […]

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