How do we define summary adjudication?

Designed to support SMEs, summary adjudication is a streamlined dispute resolution process offered by RICS, specifically designed for construction claims under £20,000. This process allows for a quick decision, typically within 14 days of referral, by an adjudicator who provides summary reasons limited to one A4 page.

There will be no inspection or site visit involved and the fee will be capped at £1000 + VAT. If either party wants full reasons, they will be able, at their own expense, to ask the adjudicator to produce them, once the summary adjudication has been completed. 

What is the difference between summary adjudication and arbitration?

While both summary adjudication and arbitration serve to resolve disputes in the construction industry, summary adjudication is quicker and less costly. It is designed for smaller, less complex claims, whereas arbitration often involves a more detailed and lengthy process, making it more suitable for complicated disputes.

There is an application fee of £250+VAT for this type of nomination. The cost for RICS summary adjudication is capped at £1,000 + VAT. However, either party can request full reasons from the adjudicator at their own expense once the summary adjudication has been completed. Our adjudicators are highly qualified professionals and have extensive experience in their relevant area.

Summary Adjudication is designed to be swift, with a decision normally made within 14 days from the referral. This timeline makes it an ideal choice for resolving urgent disputes efficiently, allowing both parties to continue their work with minimal disruption. For further legal advice, you can speak to a RICS professional.

Decisions made through summary adjudication must be adhered to, however they are not necessarily final. Parties can later refer the same dispute to litigation or arbitration, where a new decision may be made.

Apply for summary adjudication

To resolve your dispute quickly and cost-effectively, apply for the nomination of a summary adjudicator through RICS.

FAQs (PDF 0.47MB)

Published date: 17 November 2020

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