On 3 October 2023, Ciarb's Thames Valley Branch promoted a discussion about the CIC Low Value Disputes Model Adjudication Procedure.
The Construction Industry Council (‘CIC’) has updated its model procedure for adjudication of small to medium sized contract disputes via the 2nd edition of its Low Value Disputes Model Adjudication Procedure (‘LVD MAP’).
The LVD MAP was initially launched in 2020 and has proven to be popular with smaller contractors and subcontractors, many of whom would otherwise have found adjudication too costly and complex. The 2nd edition updates reduce the adjudicator’s capped fee and raise the threshold value for disputes which can apply the procedure from £50k to £100k, making adjudication more accessible to those involved in lower value disputes. Adjudicators can draw on their authority under the Construction Act and Regulations to decide whether or not it is appropriate to adopt the procedure - they do not require both parties to agree to it! The overall objective of the LVD MAP is to enable more SMEs to engage with adjudication as a means to resolve their disputes in a cost effective and efficient manner.
Martin Burns, RICS Head of ADR Research & Development, chaired the CIC working parties which first developed and then updated the LVD MAP. Martin has worked at RICS for 33 years, specialising in dispute resolution.
RICS has already appointed more than 350 adjudicators under the LVD MAP. Martin also explained how to become an adjudicator hearing these disputes.