Construction Workshop Series Continues with Practical Focus on Resolving Disputes
On Wednesday 24th June, we were pleased to welcome construction professionals back to our Norwich office for the second workshop in our 2026 Construction Workshop Series, which focused on the three principal methods of resolving construction disputes: litigation, arbitration and adjudication.
Delivered in our informal boardroom-style format, the session encouraged practical discussion around the advantages, processes and key considerations of each approach, giving attendees a greater understanding of the options available when disputes arise.
The workshop began with a session on litigation, led by Lauren Nelson-Smith, Solicitor in our Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team. Lauren explained the process of starting a claim, from the pre-action stage through to court proceedings, and highlighted the importance of complying with the Pre-Action Protocol.
Attendees explored the purpose of the protocol, the steps involved in setting out a claim and the potential consequences of failing to comply. Lauren also explained how claims are allocated between the Small Claims, Fast, Intermediate and Multi Tracks, together with the practical implications each track has on matters such as recoverable costs, expert evidence and trial length.
Director and Head of Litigation Peter Hastings then explored arbitration as an alternative to court proceedings. He explained how arbitration enables parties to appoint an independent arbitrator to determine a dispute, with the resulting decision being legally binding.
Peter discussed the benefits of arbitration, including greater flexibility, confidentiality, reduced costs and, in many cases, a quicker resolution than traditional litigation. He also outlined the process for commencing arbitration and the types of disputes for which it is particularly well suited.
The final session focused on adjudication, another widely used method of dispute resolution within the construction industry. Peter explained that adjudication is a statutory right under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and plays an important role in maintaining cash flow and resolving disputes efficiently throughout construction projects.
Attendees were guided through the adjudication process, from serving a Notice of Adjudication and the appointment of an adjudicator, through to the submission of evidence by both parties and the delivery of a binding decision. The discussion also highlighted why adjudication remains one of the most effective and commonly used forms of dispute resolution within the construction sector, particularly where time and cash flow are critical.
As with our first workshop, the boardroom setting encouraged open discussion throughout the morning, with delegates sharing their own experiences and asking practical questions based on real-life scenarios.
Our Construction Workshop Series has been designed to complement our Annual Construction Seminar by providing smaller, focused sessions that explore specific areas of construction law in greater depth. The series will conclude later this year with a practical workshop on mock mediation (taking place on Wednesday 23rd September), giving delegates the opportunity to understand how mediation works in practice and how to prepare effectively.
For more information or to book a place at an upcoming event, please contact events@rogers-norton.co.uk
Rogers & Norton’s specialist Construction team advises developers, contractors, consultants, property owners and commercial landlords on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious construction matters.
For more information on our legal services or to arrange an appointment with a member of our team, contact us at 01603 666001, email enquiries@rogers-norton.co.uk or complete the ‘Request a Consultation’ enquiry form on our website.