Construction Adjudication
Statutory adjudication under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 — independent, impartial, and delivered within the statutory timetable.
Andrew Howard has acted as Adjudicator in fifty-nine appointments to date, covering payment, valuation, extensions of time, defects, loss and expense and final account disputes across the commercial, residential, institutional and infrastructure sectors.
Referring parties can apply for his nomination through any of the four leading adjudicator nominating bodies: the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Construction Industry Council, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution.
Typical subject matter
- Interim and final account payment disputes
- Valuation of variations and change
- Extensions of time and prolongation
- Loss and expense claims
- Defective workmanship and materials
- Termination and repudiation
- Compliance with payment notice regimes
- Set-off, abatement and withholding
Where to apply for nomination
Andrew is on the active adjudicator panels of the following institutions. Referring parties can request him by name on their application.
RICS
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Dispute Resolution Service.
CIC
Construction Industry Council Low Value Disputes & Model Adjudication Procedure.
CIArb
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Dispute Appointment Service.
CEDR
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution.
How a reference proceeds
Appointment & conflict check
On receipt of a nomination, a conflict check is carried out within hours. Where the appointment is accepted, terms and a proposed timetable are issued the same working day.
Referral
The Referring Party serves its Referral Notice with supporting documents. A direction for the Response and any Reply is issued, consistent with the contractual or Scheme timetable and the time reasonably required for a considered decision.
Further submissions & questions
Where necessary, written questions are issued to the parties to clarify quantum, valuations, programme analysis, or points of contract or statutory construction. Site visits or meetings may be directed where proportionate.
Decision
A reasoned decision is issued within the statutory twenty-eight days (or any agreed extension), addressing every matter referred, with findings on liability and quantum supported by reference to the evidence, the contract and the authorities.
Fees
Fees are charged at an hourly rate disclosed on appointment. Estimated total fees are provided in advance where the scope of the reference allows, with updates as submissions are received.
Contracts & statutory framework
Appointments are accepted under all standard forms and bespoke contracts where the statutory right to adjudicate applies, including:
- JCT — all standard and intermediate forms
- NEC3 and NEC4
- FIDIC (where domestic UK Act applies)
- ICC / CIOB / IChemE forms
- Bespoke construction and consultancy contracts
- Professional appointments (architect / engineer / QS)
- Scheme for Construction Contracts (where contract silent)
- Ad hoc consensual references
Considering Andrew as adjudicator?
Initial enquiries and conflict checks are provided without charge. Please include the contract, the parties and a brief description of the dispute.