Aspect Contracts (Asbestos) Ltd v Higgins Construction plc

Subject Matter

ADJUDICATION — Adjudicator’s decision — Finality — Reference of dispute under construction contract — Whether precluding litigation of same dispute — Whether adjudicator’s decision giving rise to separate cause of action with new limitation period — Whether term to be implied to that effect — Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998, Sch, para 23(2)

[2013] EWHC 1322 (TCC); [2013] Bus LR 1199; [2013] BLR 417; [2013] WLR (D) 211, QBD

BUILDING — Contract — Adjudication — Reference to adjudicator of dispute under construction contract — Adjudicator making award — Whether adjudicator’s decision giving rise to separate cause of action for recovery of payment under award if dispute finally determined in favour of unsuccessful party — Whether term to be implied to that effect — Whether restitutionary right to recovery of any overpayment — Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, s 108 — Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998, Sch, para 23(2)

[2013] EWHC 1322 (TCC); [2013] Bus LR 1199; [2013] BLR 417; [2013] WLR (D) 211, QBD

[2013] EWCA Civ 1541; [2014] 1 WLR 1220; [2014] Bus LR 367; [2014] 1 EGLR 5; 151 ConLR 72; [2014] BLR 79; [2013] WLR (D) 463, CA

[2015] UKSC 38; [2015] 1 WLR 2961; [2015] Bus LR 830; [2015] 4 All ER 482; [2015] 2 All ER (Comm) 965; 160 ConLR 28; [2015] BLR 503; The Times, 22 June 2015; [2015] WLR (D) 261; Case details, SC(E)

CONTRACT — Construction — Implied term — Adjudicator in construction contract dispute making award in defendant’s favour — Claimant making payment in accordance with award — Claim for repayment of sum paid — Defendant counterclaiming for damages in excess of amount awarded by adjudicator — Whether implied term in contract providing claimant with cause of action for repayment if dispute finally determined in his favour — Whether claimant’s cause of action accruing at date of payment made in accordance with adjudicator’s award — Whether defendant’s cause of action accruing at date of breach of contract or duty — Whether claim or counterclaim statute-barred — Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, s 108 — Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998, Sch, para 23(2)

[2013] EWCA Civ 1541; [2014] 1 WLR 1220; [2014] Bus LR 367; [2014] 1 EGLR 5; 151 ConLR 72; [2014] BLR 79; [2013] WLR (D) 463, CA

[2015] UKSC 38; [2015] 1 WLR 2961; [2015] Bus LR 830; [2015] 4 All ER 482; [2015] 2 All ER (Comm) 965; 160 ConLR 28; [2015] BLR 503; The Times, 22 June 2015; [2015] WLR (D) 261; Case details, SC(E)

Appellate History

Commentary

UK Supreme Court Blog
Case Comment: Aspect Contracts (Asbestos) Ltd v Higgins Construction PLC [2015] UKSC 38 [2015] Cas Com 28