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Dispute resolution

Construction dispute solicitors

Practical help when a build, a payment or a building contract turns into a dispute.

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  • Jason Alcock
  • Martin De Ridder
  • Ian Meadows
  • Louise Palmer
  • Alexander Medford
  • +5 more
Your dispute resolution team
Legally Sound podcast

Tenant rights and construction disputes

In short

Ansons Law's construction dispute solicitors act for developers, contractors, sub-contractors, businesses and property owners in payment disputes, defective work, delays and breaches of building contracts. For many construction payment disputes, adjudication under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 can produce a binding decision in around a month. Most construction claims must be brought within six years, or twelve where the contract is a deed.

Adjudication
A binding decision in around a month for many payment disputes
Time limit
Usually six years, or twelve where the contract is a deed
Before you sue
Pre-action protocols the courts expect you to follow
Head of dispute resolution
Jason Alcock, Director
Construction disputes Make an enquiry

Time limits and latent defects

Most construction and property claims must be brought within six years, or twelve where the contract is a deed, under the Limitation Act 1980. Latent defects, which only come to light later, can raise more complex timing questions, so check your position early.

How do construction disputes work?

Construction disputes often turn on the contract and the paperwork. The form of contract, the payment terms, the notices served and the records kept all shape what each side can claim. Good records of instructions, variations, delays and defects strengthen your position enormously.

For many construction payment disputes there is also a fast statutory route called adjudication, under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. It can produce a binding decision in a matter of weeks rather than months.

What about property disputes?

Disputes about land and buildings rather than building work have their own pages. Boundary, neighbour, tenancy, deposit and co-ownership disputes are covered on our residential property disputes page. Commercial lease disputes, forfeiture, renewals under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, break clauses and dilapidations are on our commercial property disputes page.

If your dispute is about a construction project, a building contract or the work itself, this is the right page.

How do we resolve a construction dispute?

Construction disputes have a habit of escalating quickly. Money is tied up, work stalls and the people involved still have to deal with each other. The priority is to protect your position and get the project or the property back on track.

We understand both the legal and the commercial pressures. In both areas the commercial relationship usually matters as much as the legal position, so we weigh up settlement against the cost and disruption of a full dispute. Mediation and negotiation resolve a large share of these disputes without the cost of a trial.

Going through papers at the round table in the Ansons Law office in Lichfield
What we do

What our construction and property dispute solicitors can help with

From a payment dispute on site to a defect that appears years later, we help you take the right next step.
The team

Your dispute resolution team

The solicitors who handle construction disputes at Ansons Law. Every card opens the person's profile.
Meet the whole team
Jason Alcock Director, Head of Dispute Resolution and Employment Jason Alcock Martin De Ridder Managing Director Martin De Ridder Ian Meadows Director, Dispute Resolution & Property Litigation Ian Meadows Louise Palmer Senior Associate Solicitor Louise Palmer Alexander Medford Associate Solicitor Alexander Medford Victoria Simpson née Ramshaw Associate Solicitor Victoria Simpson née Ramshaw Rachael Wood Advanced Paralegal Rachael Wood Robin Heslop Consultant Solicitor Robin Heslop Ranjit Shergill Associate Director Ranjit Shergill Charlie Woolman Trainee Solicitor Charlie Woolman
Questions

Construction and property dispute questions

What is adjudication?

Adjudication is a fast dispute process for construction contracts that can deliver a binding decision in around a month. It is often used for payment disputes and avoids the time and cost of full court proceedings, though either party can still pursue the matter further afterwards.

The work done on my property is defective. What can I do?

You may have a claim against the contractor, and sometimes against the designer or consultant as well. The starting point is the contract and the evidence of the defect, so it helps to document everything and take advice before the position hardens.

How long do I have to bring a construction claim?

Generally six years from the breach, or twelve years where the contract was made as a deed, under the Limitation Act 1980. Latent defects can raise more complex timing questions, so it is worth checking early.

Do I need to follow a particular process before suing?

Usually. Construction and property disputes have pre-action protocols the courts expect you to follow, and there are quicker routes such as adjudication for construction payment issues. We will guide you through the right one.

Accreditations and awards

Talk to a construction dispute solicitor

Tell us about the project or the property and what has gone wrong. We will set out your options, including quicker routes such as adjudication where they apply.

Call 01543 263 456
Offices

Our offices

Our dispute resolution team works from our offices across the Midlands. Every office can take your enquiry.
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Insights

Property dispute guides

All insights
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