Construction minister Brian Wilson launched new guidance for avoiding costly construction site disputes in July. Disputes will be handled by 'referees'.
The new guidance arises from a review of current practice carried out by the Construction Umbrella Bodies (CUB) in 2000, and a government consultation document called Improving adjudication in the construction industry (2001). The guidance only amends the 1998 legislation in one area: to prevent the party calling for adjudication from having to pay the other party's legal costs.

At the launch, Wilson commented: "Clearly it is impossible to make real progress with partnering, or a team-based approach to construction projects, without first establishing a fair approach to payments."