New guidance aimed at avoiding costly construction site disputes has been launched by the DTI
The new adjudication guidance has been introduced four years after legislation in the shape of the Construction Act and the Scheme for Construction Contracts Regulations came into force to limit costly court battles.

While a review of this original legislation has found that the industry as a whole is better at delivering projects without the extraordinary delays and material waste of the past, findings from the Construction Umbrella Bodies' (CUB) review and government consultation document Improving adjudication in the construction industry (2001) both called for greater clarification of key contentious issues in the adjudication process.

It was deemed that guidance, not new legislation, was the best way to ensure that the original Act is used to its full effect.

The new guidance advises adjudicators of practical steps to make the process as smooth and successful as possible. The review bodies also called for amendments to the 1998 legislation to prevent the party calling for adjudication from having to pay the other's legal costs.

For more information call the DTI public enquiries line on 020 7215 5000 or go to www.dti.gov.uk

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor