Construction dispute advice
for UK businesses
Know where you stand before you decide whether to negotiate, adjudicate, litigate or take another step.
Breach of Contract and Commercial Disputes
A construction dispute can stop payment, delay a project and take time away from the business. You may have done the work but not been paid. The contract may be unclear. The other side may be blaming delays, defects or variations.
My Commercial Lawyers helps contractors, subcontractors, developers, architects, consultants and construction professionals review the facts, contract and evidence before deciding the next step.
Share the issue, contract and key facts so the team can review whether this is something they can help with.
Is this the right page for you?
This page is for you if you are dealing with a construction payment, contract or project dispute and need clear advice before taking action.
You may be a:
Main contractor
Subcontractor
Developer
Architect
Consultant
Construction business owner
Construction professional
You may be dealing with:
- An unpaid construction invoice
- A disputed final account
- A JCT, FIDIC or NEC contract dispute
- A contractor or subcontractor dispute
- A developer dispute
- A delay claim
- A defective works dispute
- A variation dispute
- A termination issue
- A payment notice or pay less notice issue
- A construction adjudication concern
- Construction litigation
You may be thinking:
We’ve done the work, but we haven’t been paid.
The contract is not clear.
This is holding everything up.
Is it worth taking legal action?
The contract is not clear.
If you do not know whether to keep chasing, negotiate, send a formal response, adjudicate or litigate, the first step is to understand your position.
Breach of Contract and Commercial Disputes
Many construction disputes start with a practical problem.
- The payment has not arrived.
- The other side has raised complaints about the work.
- A contractor has missed deadlines.
- A developer is withholding payment.
- A subcontractor says the contract terms have changed.
At first, it may feel like another email or call will fix it. But if the dispute keeps dragging on, it can affect cash flow, project delivery, suppliers, staff and your time.
Before taking action, you need to know:
- What the contract says
- What the evidence shows
- Whether the other side has a valid argument
- Whether the dispute is worth pursuing
- What route may fit
- What the next instruction may cost
You do not need legal action for the sake of it.
You need to know where you stand.
How My Commercial Lawyers helps with construction disputes
My Commercial Lawyers starts with the facts, contract and evidence.
The aim is to help you understand the dispute before you spend money on the wrong action.
1. Clarify the issue
The team reviews what has happened, what is being claimed and what the other side has said.
This may include payment disputes, delay claims, defects, variations, termination, contract terms or project disruption.
2. Review the contract and evidence
The contract, notices, invoices, emails, project records and other documents are reviewed so your position can be understood.
This helps avoid guesswork.
3. Explain the options
The right route depends on the dispute.
Possible next steps may include:
- Negotiation
- A formal response
- Adjudication
- Litigation
- Settlement discussions
- Another route based on the facts
Adjudication may help in some construction disputes, but it is not right for every matter.
4. Make the next step clear
If the matter is suitable, the next instruction is scoped before work begins.
You should know what work will be carried out, what the fee is and what the expected timeline is for that instruction.
Construction disputes we can review
Unpaid construction invoices
You have completed the work, but the money has not come in.
My Commercial Lawyers can review the contract, payment terms, invoice, emails and evidence of completed work before advising on the possible next step.
Contractor and subcontractor disputes
Disputes between contractors and subcontractors can involve payment, scope, delay, defects, variations or termination.
The team can review the documents and explain what the contract and evidence may mean for your position.
Developer disputes
Developers may face disputes over payment, project delays, defective works, contractor performance or contract terms.
My Commercial Lawyers can review suitable developer disputes where there is a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Construction contract disputes
Construction contracts can affect payment rights, notices, extensions of time, variations, termination and defects.
The team can advise on disputes involving JCT, FIDIC, NEC and other construction contracts where suitable.
Delay claims
Delay disputes can affect payment, completion dates and liability.
The right response depends on the contract, project records, notices and the cause of delay.
Defective works disputes
Defect allegations can lead to withheld payment, counterclaims or project disruption.
The team can help review the allegations, contract terms and evidence before you decide how to respond.
Variation disputes
If the parties disagree about changed work, extra work or payment for variations, the contract and evidence should be checked before action is taken.
Construction adjudication
Adjudication can be a fast route for some construction disputes, especially payment disputes.
But the first step is to check whether adjudication fits the facts, value, contract and evidence.
Construction litigation
Where suitable, My Commercial Lawyers can support construction litigation, including matters in the County Court, High Court and Technology and Construction Court.
Know the scope, fee and timeline before each instruction begins
My Commercial Lawyers works on a fixed fee instruction basis.
A construction dispute may involve more than one instruction. For example, one case may include several separate stages, such as reviewing the contract, advising on the position, preparing a response, starting adjudication or taking litigation steps where suitable.
Each instruction is scoped before it begins.
This means you know:
What work will be carried out
What the fee is for that instruction
What the expected timeline is
What is included
What is not included
What may need a separate instruction later
This helps keep the process clear and reduces the risk of confusion about fees, scope or timing.
The aim is clear advice, clear scope and practical next steps before you spend money on the wrong action.
Clear construction dispute advice before you act
A construction dispute can feel urgent, but rushing into the wrong route can create more cost and delay.
My Commercial Lawyers helps you understand:
- What the contract says
- What the evidence shows
- Whether the dispute is worth pursuing
- Whether adjudication may be suitable
- Whether litigation may be needed
- What the next instruction may involve
- What the fee and timeline are for that instruction
The focus is not to make every dispute formal.
The focus is to help you take the right next step.
My Commercial Lawyers is authorised and regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
What Happens After You Enquire
Share the issue, contract and key facts
You do not need to know the legal route before you enquire.
Start by sharing what has happened.
1. Complete the website form
Tell the team about the dispute, who it involves and what help you need.
2. Join your Trello matter board
After submitting the form, follow the instructions to download Trello and join your matter board.
This gives the team one place to collect the key facts, documents and updates.
3. Upload the key documents
Share the contract, invoices, emails, notices, payment records and any evidence linked to the dispute.
4. Suitability is reviewed
The team reviews the facts, contract and evidence to check whether this is something they can help with.
5. The next step is confirmed
If the matter is suitable, the next step, fixed fee instruction, client care letter and invoice are arranged before work begins.
You can find out whether your matter fits before committing to the next step.
Construction disputes FAQs
What is a construction dispute?
A construction dispute is a disagreement linked to a construction project, contract, payment, delay, defect, variation or performance issue.
It may involve a contractor, subcontractor, developer, architect, consultant or construction professional.
What should we do if we have not been paid for construction work?
Start by gathering the contract, invoice, payment terms, emails and evidence of completed work.
The right next step depends on the contract, value, evidence and what the other side has said.
Can you help with JCT, FIDIC and NEC disputes?
Yes. My Commercial Lawyers can review suitable construction disputes involving JCT, FIDIC, NEC and other contract forms.
Is adjudication the best way to resolve a construction dispute?
Adjudication may help with some construction disputes, especially payment disputes. But it is not right for every matter.
The facts, contract, value and evidence should be reviewed first.
Can you help if the other side is blaming delays or defects?
Yes. The team can review delay or defect allegations, the contract terms and the evidence before advising on the possible next step.
Can you help developers?
Yes. My Commercial Lawyers may be able to help developers where there is a payment, contract or project dispute with a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Can you help subcontractors?
Yes. My Commercial Lawyers can review suitable subcontractor disputes involving payment, scope, delay, defects, variations or termination.
Can you conduct litigation?
Yes. My Commercial Lawyers can conduct litigation where suitable. The right route depends on the facts, contract, evidence and value of the dispute.
How does the fixed fee instruction basis work?
Each instruction is scoped before it begins.
You are told what work will be carried out, what the fee is and what the expected timeline is for that instruction.
A case may involve several separate instructions.
What happens after I submit the form?
You will be asked to follow the instructions to join your Trello matter board.
This helps the team collect the facts, contract and evidence in one place before suitability and the next step are reviewed.
Check your construction dispute options
Get in touch with our team for trusted legal advice and support.
If you have a payment, contract or project dispute, you do not need to keep guessing.
Share the issue, contract and key facts so My Commercial Lawyers can review whether this is something they can help with.
You can find out whether your matter fits before committing to the next step.
Email Address
reception@mycommerciallawyers.com
Telephone Number
+44 (0) 208 087 4177
Office Address
7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR
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