Architects, like all others in construction, are having a tougher time than usual in ensuring they are paid on their projects. With new work increasingly scarce, they are understandably cautious about kicking up a fuss with existing clients over late or non-existent payment. However, where matters have gone beyond a joke and the relationship between the architect and the client has failed irredeemably, what is the architect to do? Many options have been discussed in previous articles, but adjudication does remain a possible course of action. Unfortunately, the most likely reason for not getting paid in today's economic climate is that the client is in financial difficulties. The daunting prospect of launching any sort of claim, including adjudication, against the client for outstanding payments will be only be exacerbated if large legal bills are racked up, only for the client to become properly insolvent. The advantage of adjudication over other forms of claim is that it is'quick and dirty' (well, reasonably), which minimises the fees.
展开▼
