An Analysis of the Demarcation of Construction Projects for Dispute Resolution by Adjudication
Publication: Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction
Volume 14, Issue 2
Abstract
The Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 seeks to improve productivity of the UK construction industry by imposing on qualifying construction industry contracts a transparent payment protocol and a right to contractual parties to refer disputes for resolution by adjudication. A qualifying construction contract is defined to exclude certain types of construction industry contracts from the ambit of the legislation. These exclusions have been the subject of extensive and costly litigation concerning the demarcation between contracts types within, as against those outside, the legislation. Using legal research methods, this paper critically analyzes the issues in the litigation to extract implications for adjudication practice and policy review. As a reflection of the global nature of payment challenges and disputes on construction projects, the UK legislative intervention is being emulated in many countries. The UK experience therefore offers lessons on how the demarcation problem may be approached in other jurisdictions.
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Data Availability Statement
No data, models, or code were generated or used during the study.
References
List of Cases
ABB Construction Ltd. v. Norwest Holst Engineering Ltd.
ABB Zantingh Ltd. v. Zedal Building Services Ltd.
Absolute Rentals Ltd. v. Gencor Enterprises Ltd.
Allen Wilson Shopfitters v. Buckingham.
Aspect Contracts (Asbestos) Ltd. v. Higgins Construction PLC.
Baldwins Industrial Services PLC v. Barr Ltd.
Barrie Green v. GW Integrated Building Services and G&M Floorlayers (Derby) Ltd.
Bryen & Langley Ltd. v. Boston.
C Spencer Ltd. v. MW High Tech Projects UK Ltd.
Captiva Estates Ltd. v. Rybarn Ltd. (in Administration).
Cartwright v. Lydia Fay.
Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd. v. Whessoe-Volker Stevin Joint Venture.
Edenbooth Ltd. v. Cre8 Developments Ltd.
Equitix ESI CHP (Wrexham) Ltd. v. Bester Generacion UK Ltd.
Fahstone Ltd. v. Biesse Group UK Ltd.
Gibson Lea Retail Interiors Ltd. v. Makro Self Service Wholesalers Ltd.
ICCT Ltd. v. Pinto.
Laker Vent Engineering Ltd. v. Jacobs E&C Ltd.
Lovell Projects Ltd. v. Legg and Carver.
Midland Expressway Ltd. v. Carillion Construction Ltd. (No. 2).
Millers Specialist Joinery Co. Ltd. v. Nobles Construction.
North Midland Construction PLC v. AE&E Lentjes (UK) Ltd.
Nottingham Community Housing Association Ltd. v. Powerminster Ltd.
Palmers Ltd. v. ABB Power Construction Ltd.
Parkwood Leisure Ltd. v. Laing O’Rourke Wales and West Ltd.
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Samuel Thomas Construction v. J & B Developments.
Savoye v. Spicers Ltd. No. 1.
Savoye v. Spicers Ltd. No. 2.
Severfield (UK) Ltd. v. Duro Felguera UK Ltd. No. 1.
Severfield (UK) Ltd. v. Duro Felguera UK Ltd. No. 2.
Shaw v. Massey Foundation & Pilings Ltd.
Staveley Industries PLC v. Odebrecht Oil & Gas Services Ltd.
Steve Domsalla (t/a Domsalla Building Services) v. Dyason.
Westfields Construction Ltd. v. Lewis.
Westminster Building Co. Ltd. v. Beckingham.
Westshield Ltd. v. Whitehouse.
List of Statutes
Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Exclusion Order 1998, SI 1998 No. 648.
Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
Statutory Instrument 648/1998.
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Published In
Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction
Volume 14 • Issue 2 • May 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 16, 2021
Accepted: Nov 17, 2021
Published online: Mar 11, 2022
Published in print: May 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Aug 11, 2022
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