This guidance note – based upon the law and practice of England and Wales – aims primarily to assist those individuals who are:  

• either nominated as adjudicators by RICS or by other adjudicator nominating bodies (ANBs); or
• appointed directly by the parties as adjudicators;

in regard to a dispute relating to works carried out under a construction contract as defined in Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.

Whilst the guidance is not intended as an exhaustive treatise on the law and practice of adjudication generally, it does set out to assist the disputing parties themselves – and those acting for them – by making them aware of key issues and the procedures likely to be followed.

Among the key topics covered are: 

• the principles of adjudication, including the statutory and contractual framework;
• appointment and acceptance thereof (in applications to RICS or in party appointments), responsibilities of RICS and the adjudicator, and objections to nomination;
• powers and duties of the adjudicator, establishing the procedure, establishing the facts and law, use of evidence; and
• the adjudicator’s decision and enforcement, including fees.