The very nature of construction projects and the number of professional parties generally involved in them means that there are inevitably delays and disputes, which are hard to avoid. Where issues arise, it is very important to get specialist advice to ensure that your interests are protected. Our expert solicitors can help you identify problems and how these can be resolved with as little disruption to your business as possible. We can ensure that our advice is focused on the issues most relevant to your dispute and handled by lawyers with significant knowledge of that area of law. It is also advisable to ensure that all construction contracts are drawn up by expert solicitors who can ensure from the start of the project that matters are correctly documented and to try to prevent future issues.
Types of Construction Disputes
We can assist clients in relation to claims on a range of issues that can arise under construction contracts, including:
- Disputes over the terms of a contract or the use of industry standard contracts.
- The use of consumer protection legislation in construction contracts.
- Claims relating to defective designs or workmanship.
- Disputes over payment including final accounts claims.
- Disputes over delays, extensions of time and variations to the works.
- Termination of contracts.
- Issues of contractor insolvency.
- Construction guarantees and warranties.
- Recovery of construction professional fees.
- Professional negligence claims in relation to parties involved in the contract (surveyors, engineers or architects).
Resolving Construction Disputes
The parties involved in a construction contract will be a range of professionals with competing needs. Where there is a dispute, parties will not want to simply concede, but complicated court action is time-consuming and expensive. By taking specialist advice at the start of any dispute can ensure that the best outcome is achieved for your situation.
As with most areas of law, the Courts expect parties to resolve any construction disputes using informal methods where possible. The complexity and nature of the parties involved can make this more complicated, but our lawyers are highly skilled in negotiating on behalf of our clients to ensure that these more informal methods are as effective as possible at resolving the issues. Many disputes are resolved via alternative dispute resolution. Parties though must ensure that they are following the strict protocol that is given for construction and engineering disputes and the Courts will look very badly on those that do not comply with its requirements.
There are various methods that can be used in a construction dispute before resorting to litigation in the Courts including:
- Negotiation
- Mediation
- Adjudication
- Conciliation
- Arbitration
- Expert Determination
Contact our Dispute Lawyers in London
We can advise you on all aspects of construction disputes and help you to successfully resolve the issue. We can give tailored advice to our clients and offer strategic advice using a range of resolution methods. We serve clients all over England and Wales, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Kent.
For more information on commercial issues, get in touch via our online contact form or call our team now on 0203 811 7274.