Using adjudication to resolve payment disputes

Every day, individuals and organisations enter into contracts for building and construction work. Sometimes disputes arise over payment.

The Construction Contracts Act 2004 (the Act) provides for a rapid adjudication to resolve these disputes, whether they are written or oral contracts.

Adjudication is when an adjudicator – a registered, trained professional experienced in construction contract administration and dispute resolution – is appointed to review the issue and expedite payment.

Adjudication claims must be lodged within 90 business days of a payment dispute arising (details over page). The Act also ensures payment terms and conditions in contracts are fair to all parties.

What the Act covers

• Most building work
• Civil engineering
• Demolition work
• Electrical work
• Plumbing and gas work
• Painting and decorating work
• Supply of building materials
• Hire of plant or equipment
• Earthworks and landscaping
• Maintenance
• Professional services (e.g. architectural design, surveying)

The Act does not cover salary or wage disputes (see ‘Frequently asked questions’).

A business day includes any day other than Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, or any day between 25 December and 7 January.

Who is who?

Claimant – the party that claims payment under the terms of the construction contract.
Respondent – the party that benefited from the claimant’s construction work, service or materials.
Appointor – a person or an organisation that is allowed to appoint adjudicators.
Adjudicator – registered, trained professionals who are authorised to review and determine construction contract payment disputes.

Making a claim for payment

A claim for payment for work or the supply of goods and/or services must be made in accordance with the written contract. In the case of an oral contract the payment claim must:

• be in writing;
• be addressed to the other party to which the claim is made;
• state your name, the date of the claim and amount claimed;
• (if you are the contractor) itemise and describe the obligations performed and to which the claim relates in sufficient detail for the principal to assess the claim;
• (if you are the principal) describe the basis of the claim in sufficient detail for the contractor to assess the claim; and
• be signed by the claimant and given to the party to which the claim is made.

Where a payment claim is disputed or not paid on time or not paid in full, a payment dispute has usually arisen

Within 90 business days the claimant may:

• prepare a written application for adjudication;
• provide it on each party to the contract;
• provide it to a registered adjudicator, who has been appointed by the parties to the dispute; or
• serve it to a prescribed appointor, whether chosen by one or all of the parties in dispute; and
• provide any deposit or security for the costs of the adjudication.

Frequently asked questions