Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry
5 Nov 2025 - 14 Apr 2027
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£3919 + VAT
Overview
Gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to become an adjudicator with the RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry. This 18-month programme, developed in line with National Occupational Standards, equips professionals with a comprehensive understanding of construction adjudication, from legal principles to the production of decisions. The syllabus focuses on adjudication in the UK governed by The Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (Construction Act).
Who is this course for?
The RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry is designed for professionals seeking to develop their skills in adjudication and further their career in dispute resolution within the construction industry. This programme provides the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to navigate complex construction disputes effectively.
This course is suitable for professionals working in:
- Construction and engineering
- Legal and consultancy services
- Contract and project management
Professionals who commonly take this course include:
- Chartered Surveyors
- Quantity Surveyors
- Construction and Commercial Managers
- Claims Consultants
- Legal professionals with a focus on construction law
- Project Managers handling contractual disputes
Professionals who have benefited from this course include experienced practitioners expanding into dispute resolution to support their current service offerings.
Why choose RICS as your training provider?
Completing the RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry enables you to meet the relevant National Occupational Standards and seek fee-earning work as an adjudicator. RICS training is delivered by experienced practitioners, ensuring you gain practical skills and knowledge that align with real-world requirements.
What does the course cover?
The RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry provides a comprehensive understanding of adjudication, from its legal foundations to the practical skills required to run adjudication proceedings and produce enforceable decisions. The programme is structured into four modules, covering key areas of adjudication practice.
- Legal foundations of adjudication: gain a thorough understanding of the nature of law, including contract law, tort law, and the rules of evidence as they apply to adjudication.
- Application of adjudication law: explore how statutory and contractual adjudication operate in practice, understanding the legal framework governing the adjudication process.
- Managing the adjudication process: learn how to initiate, plan, and conduct an adjudication, including drafting notices, responses, and submissions.
- Decision writing and enforceability: develop the ability to write and deliver clear and reasoned decisions, applying advanced knowledge of contract and tort law.
- Practical dispute resolution skills: develop your ability to assess disputes, analyse evidence, and make determinations as an adjudicator.
Course format
The RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry is a distance learning programme designed to provide flexibility while ensuring a structured learning experience. The course takes place over 18 months and is divided into four modules, combining guided self study, online tutorials, and formal assessments.
Participants will engage in:
- Self study: work through course reading and materials, including legal principles, case studies, and adjudication procedures.
- Online tutorials and assessments: attend structured tutorial sessions throughout the programme, designed to reinforce learning and clarify key concepts.
- Practical application: develop the skills required to manage adjudication proceedings, from drafting submissions to delivering decisions.
To help you plan effectively, you’ll need to allocate time for:
- Course reading: regularly review materials that provide the legal and procedural foundation for adjudication. Approximately 6 hours per week.
- Exercises and Self-assessment questions: Use self-assessment questions to test your understanding of the course reading. Some units will require exercises to be written and submitted to provide you with feedback.
- Assessment preparation: dedicate time to working on assignments, including case studies and decision-writing exercises, to demonstrate your understanding of adjudication.
Required reading materials
A significant aspect of learning in this programme is guided reading. There are some essential textbooks that you will be required to source. Other materials will be provided to you.
- Legal Method, McLeod
- Cheshire, Fifoot and Furmston’s Law of Contract, Furmston
- Tort, Giliker
- The Modern Law of Evidence, Keane
- Construction Adjudication, Coulson QC
- Pleadings Without Tears, Rose
- Adjudication Construction and Engineering Disputes, Molloy & Cope
- A Practical Guide to Construction Adjudication, Pickavance
Reading programme may be subject to change, required textbooks and further details will be confirmed prior to course commencement
What do you receive after completing the course?
Completing the RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry demonstrates your expertise in construction adjudication and your commitment to professional dispute resolution. Here’s what you gain:
- Diploma in Adjudication: a formal qualification that equips you with the legal knowledge and practical skills required to act as an adjudicator or represent parties in adjudication.
- This programme is designed to level 5 of National Qualification framework making it equivalent to a foundation degree.
- Pathway to fee-earning adjudication work: successful candidates will have their details included in a pool for consideration for vacancies on the RICS Panel of Adjudicators, subject to any further assessment or mentoring requirements.
- CIArb Fellowship eligibility – Completion of the full Diploma in Adjudication enables you to apply for Fellowship (FCIArb) with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), following successful completion of their peer interview process.
This qualification is a recognised industry standard, supporting professionals in expanding their dispute resolution expertise and progressing towards adjudication practice.
Assessment format
The assessment process for the RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry ensures that participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to act as adjudicators.
What to Expect
- Written examinations: assessments covering key legal principles, contract and tort law, and adjudication procedures.
- Case study assignment: a practical exercise requiring candidates to draft an adjudication decision based on a provided dispute scenario.
- To successfully complete the Diploma, candidates must achieve a pass grade in the assessment for each Unit. A 55% pass grade is required for Units 1-3. The final exam requires a 70% pass rate in Unit 4, which focuses on delivering an adjudication decision.
Resitting assessments
If you’re unsuccessful in an assessment, you can resit with the next cohort. Resits incur a fee ranging from GBP 150 - 300, depending on the type of assessment.
Course schedule
The Diploma in Adjudication is structured across four units, with a blend of self-study, tutorials, and exams. Each unit begins with independent reading, followed by scheduled tutorials that provide in-depth discussions and support. After completing the tutorials, there will be an exams or an assignment to submit. Download the course calendar below to see the scheduled tutorials and assessment dates. Please be aware that dates may be subject to change.
Published date: 27 June 2025
Matthew Molloy
Director, MCMS Ltd
With 20 years’ experience in dispute resolution, Matthew has been appointed in over 700 construction and engineering disputes as either Adjudicator, Arbitrator, Mediator, Expert Determiner, Conflict or Dispute Avoidance Panel/Board Member. These disputes have concerned a number of high profile projects both within the UK and overseas, and have involved complex technical and legal issues in a variety of sectors, including education, private and public housing, offices, hotels and leisure, sports stadia, roads and infrastructure, utilities, energy and process engineering. Matthew delivers content in an informed but relaxed style. His key focus during training is ensuring delegates can turn learnings from the “classroom” into practice.
Paul Jensen
Construction contracts consultant, Paul Jensen Associates
Paul is a Quantity Surveyor and member of RICS since 1968. Paul developed an interest in the legal aspects of the construction industry during his 14-year stint as a Chief Estimator and Quantity Surveyor for a medium-sized business, and as a result went on to study law and qualify as a barrister. During training, Paul explains legal subject areas in a way that makes seemingly complex matters accessible and easy to understand. He draws on his immense experience as an arbitrator and adjudicator to illustrate how arbitration and adjudication operate in real-life. His style is geared to promoting learning through lively discussions, which he initiates by asking students to respond to challenging questions.
Published date: 09 March 2021
“I can apply my newly acquired knowledge during my day to day job whilst valuating applications for payment and provide a build up for the certified amount, when valuating quotations and review entitlement for various compensation events. I do feel much more confident reading and interpreting various terms and conditions of ongoing construction contracts.”
Valentina Mirea, Senior Commercial Manager
Lendlease Consulting
“For areas I found challenging, there was always the opportunity to speak to one of the lecturers for some guidance. Ultimately, I did have some one-to-one correspondence with one of the lecturers, which was exceptionally good. I can go into any contract with confidence and I know it isn’t an issue if a dispute happens. I’m ready to go.”
Andy Wood, Managing Director
Spectrum Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
“I’ve been involved in adjudication and dispute resolution for many years. The Diploma in Adjudication has not only built upon my existing knowledge and experience to allow me to really raise the bar on the expert advice I provide to clients, but has reinforced and provided the skills needed for me to act as an adjudicator.”
Lisa Rushton, Director
LJR Commercial Solutions Ltd
For your business
Equip your team with the skills they need to excel in adjudication. Our RICS Diploma in Adjudication in the Construction Industry programme provides a recognised qualification for those looking to advance their career in dispute resolution.
Group Discounts
Book three or more places and receive a 10% discount. Please note that only one discount can be applied per booking, and group discounts cannot be combined with the Early Bird rate (if applicable).
Contact Us
To discuss training options for your employees or to take advantage of group discounts, contact our dedicated training support team:
- Email: drstraining@rics.org
- Call: +44 (0) 2476868584
Notify me about upcoming courses
Register your interest in a future course, and one of our team will be in touch to assist you.
- Starting June 2026
- Starting November 2026
Recruitment for the RICS President's Panel takes place when there are vacancies or a need to increase the Panel size . Once Panel recruitment is necessary, we try to contact those who have successfully completed the diploma and invite them to submit an application for desk top review. Successful applicants will then be invited to attend a familiarisation day and Panel interview to assess eligibility for the Panel.
Reading materials are not provided and costs vary depending on where you purchase them.
No, however you'll need to have a good concept of English and be able to produce essays and exam answers in English. The tutorials and assessments will be conducted in English with some marks in the assessments being attributed to; English, punctuation and grammar.
The diploma runs for 18 months, however you do have 4 years from your first registration with the awarding body to complete the diploma.
Yes you can but please bear in mind that this diploma is based on UK domestic law.
You can pay for each unit individually, however payment for each unit must be received by the unit start date.
Absolutely, you can pick and choose, but we strongly recommend you complete the units consecutively. Unit 4 cannot be started without first completing the learning for units 1-3 unless you have an exemption. Please bear in mind, if you do decide to complete the full diploma then needs to be completed within 4 years from registration.
Some previous study may potentially cross over with some aspects of the diploma but this is assessed on an individual basis. If you are interested in applying for an exemption please get in touch and we can provide further information.
Yes - you'll have access to a discussion forum where you can communicate with other delegates and get support from our dedicated training and qualifications team.
All tutorials are recorded but to benefit from discussions and activities which take place at the tutorials we highly recommend they are attended.
You can resit the assessments, however there is a resit fee of £150 - £300 plus VAT depending on the type of assessment.
We understand that this diploma is often completed alongside work and personal commitments so we will allow you to defer your learning to a later diploma cohort. The first deferral you request is free of charge but any subsequent deferrals will be charged at £150 plus VAT. Please bear in mind that this diploma needs to be completed within 4 years of its start date.
The final unit assessment consists of producing an enforceable decision in the allocated time. It's a case study style assessment where you'll be provided with a scenario and must use this information to produce an enforceable decision.
Yes - each unit has a reading programme that is broken down into the topics which should be read each week and the recommended study hours. This programme is reviewed by the tutor at the beginning of each module and released to around 2-4 weeks prior to the start of the unit.
