HQ Law advises on the consequences of adjudication decisions, including payment and enforcement strategy. If a decision is not complied with, early review of the decision, jurisdiction history and procedural record is important.
Enforcement strategy depends on the particular decision and procedural history. HQ Law can review the record and advise on the appropriate next step.
HQ Law separates the initial assessment/demand from court proceedings so the client can first test whether a formal demand produces payment. Court route and final fee depend on the value and issues involved.
Review the decision, payment position, main jurisdiction/natural justice history and apparent enforcement issues, then issue a formal demand where appropriate.
For suitable County Court adjudication enforcement proceedings within an agreed scope.
Counsel or other disbursements, if required, are additional and agreed separately.
For suitable enforcement proceedings where High Court/TCC issue is appropriate. Complex jurisdiction, natural justice, fraud or insolvency issues may require a bespoke quote.
An adjudicator's decision is ordinarily binding on the parties unless and until the dispute is finally determined by litigation, arbitration or agreement. If a monetary decision is not honoured, enforcement proceedings are usually brought promptly. The 2026 Technology and Construction Court Guide says a monetary enforcement claim will usually proceed under CPR Part 7, accompanied by an application seeking abbreviated directions and summary judgment under CPR Part 24.
The Guide says a TCC judge will ordinarily provide procedural directions within three working days of receiving the application, and that an enforcement hearing will ordinarily be listed within about six to eight weeks of those directions, with shorter periods possible in straightforward cases. It also states that enforcement proceedings involving less than £100,000 should ordinarily be commenced in the County Court unless there are features justifying High Court proceedings.
The construction contract, Notice of Adjudication, referral and key pleadings where relevant, the adjudicator's decision, evidence of non-payment and the history of any jurisdiction objections.
Ordinarily no. Enforcement is designed to be rapid, and the court expects parties to address the limited grounds on which enforcement may be resisted.
Typical issues include whether the adjudicator had jurisdiction and whether there was a material breach of natural justice. The suitability of any separate Part 8 challenge requires careful analysis.
No. Enforcement gives effect to the adjudicator's temporarily binding decision. The underlying dispute may still be finally determined later through litigation, arbitration or agreement.
Related guidance: Read: adjudication decision unpaid — what happens next? →
Key sources: HGCRA 1996, s.108 · Technology and Construction Court Guide 2026, section 10.
Tell us who the parties are, what has happened and any immediate deadline. We can then carry out an initial conflict check and consider the next step.
