Independent construction adjudicator

Independent adjudicator appointments backed by engineering and construction-law experience.

Chris Hough MSc, CEng, FICE is a solicitor and experienced construction adjudicator. He has given decisions in disputes valued at more than £10 million and is currently listed by TeCSA as an Accredited Panel Adjudicator.

Make an appointment enquiry View Chris’s background Open / print adjudicator profile

Chris Hough as adjudicator

Chris’s combined engineering and legal background enables him to engage with technical, contractual and quantum issues in construction disputes. His adjudicator panel experience has included ICE, RICS, RIBA, TeCSA and UK Adjudicators. He founded adjudication.co.uk and has also been registered as an arbitrator with ICE.

He has served on the ICE Law & Contract Management Committee. He completed and passed the FIDIC assessment course for membership of the President’s DAB panel.

Typical subject matter

Payment and valuation disputes
Final accounts and variations
Delay, disruption and extension-of-time issues
Defects and technical disputes
Construction and engineering contract interpretation

Independence

Appointment enquiries are separate from party representation.

HQ Law keeps the independent adjudicator proposition distinct from instructions to represent a party. Please identify all parties and representatives at the outset so conflicts and independence can be considered before an appointment is accepted.

Independent appointment

Questions about appointing an adjudicator.

How is an adjudicator appointed?

The route depends on the construction contract and any applicable adjudication rules. Appointment may be agreed by the parties, made under the contractual mechanism, or made by an adjudicator nominating body.

How quickly must a statutory adjudication be decided?

The statutory framework ordinarily requires a decision within 28 days of referral, subject to the referring party consenting to up to 14 additional days or both parties agreeing a longer period.

What about conflicts?

An adjudicator must act impartially. Appointment enquiries should identify the parties, advisers and project at the outset so conflicts and independence can be considered before acceptance.

Is the adjudicator role separate from HQ Law acting for parties?

Yes. Independent appointment enquiries are treated separately from party-representation work, with conflict and independence considerations addressed before an appointment is accepted.

Key source: HGCRA 1996, s.108.

Appointment information

Information to include in an appointment enquiry.

Full names of all parties and representatives.
The construction contract form, edition and relevant amendments.
The proposed appointment route or nominating body.
Short description and approximate value of the dispute.
Any existing Notice of Adjudication and appointment deadline.
Any facts that could be relevant to conflicts or independence.

Next step

Make an adjudicator appointment enquiry

Provide the names of all parties and representatives, the contract form, broad nature and value of the dispute, proposed appointment route and any appointment deadline.

Appointment enquiry Call 07843 580 112