Senior-led disputes practice
Construction Dispute Triage
Choose the right first step in a construction dispute
A structured first step for construction businesses facing payment, adjudication or other contract disputes. The initial call helps us understand the issue and any urgency before the appropriate next step is scoped.
TURNING DISPUTES INTO ASSETS TM
Construction disputes need early commercial control.
Payment and project disputes can quickly affect cash flow, project delivery, management time and important commercial relationships.
The appropriate first step is not automatically adjudication or litigation. Depending on the circumstances, it may be a solicitor’s letter, negotiation, mediation, further evidence gathering, expert input, defending a claim or no immediate escalation.
Tenarys Law provides a structured construction dispute triage process. It begins by establishing the basic issue and any urgency before the business provides the written information and documents needed for the firm to propose an appropriate initial scope.
Request an Initial Triage15+ years’ disputes experience
Pursuing and defending claims
Experience considering disputes from both sides
Routes matched to the dispute
Letters, negotiation, mediation, adjudication and litigation
Commercial perspective
Cash flow, evidence, cost and project objectives
A structured starting point
Understand what is needed before work is commissioned
Construction disputes are rarely resolved by selecting a process before the facts, documents, deadlines and commercial objectives are understood.
The Construction Dispute Triage provides a structured route from the initial enquiry to a proposed scope of work. It allows Tenarys Law to understand the issue and identify what information and professional input may be required.
What happens next:
- Initial call – We briefly understand the dispute and identify any urgent deadlines.
- Synopsis and documents – You send us a short written overview and the key documents.
- Review and proposal – The firm reviews the material and confirms any further information needed, the proposed scope of work and the fee.
- You decide whether to proceed – If you wish to instruct us, Tenarys sends the retainer and work begins.
The first step
The purpose of the initial call is to understand the basic issue, establish whether anything appears urgent and explain the information required for the next stage.
It is not a legal assessment and does not determine whether adjudication, litigation or another form of escalation is appropriate.
Understand the issue
Clarify what has happened, who is involved and whether the business is pursuing or defending a claim.
Establish any urgency
Identify any live or imminent deadline, threatened adjudication or other reason the matter may require prompt attention.
Explain what information is required
Confirm the need for a written case synopsis and the key documents relied upon by the business.
Set out the next stage
Explain how the firm will review the information before Tenarys Law proposes an initial scope and fee.
Is this relevant to your business?
When should a construction business request an initial triage?
A construction business does not need to have assembled a complete evidence pack before requesting the initial call. Triage may be appropriate where:
An application has been unpaid or underpaid
An application for payment has not been paid in full, or the valuation of completed work is disputed.
A final account or retention remains unresolved
The parties disagree about the final valuation, variations, deductions or the release of retention.
A payment notice or deadline requires attention
There is uncertainty about a payment notice, pay less notice or another live contractual or procedural deadline.
A variation, delay or disruption claim has developed
The parties disagree about responsibility, entitlement, valuation or the effect on the project.
A claim or adjudication has been threatened
A subcontractor, supplier, contractor, employer or other project party has made a claim or indicated that adjudication may follow.
Defects, termination or another contract issue has arisen
The business is dealing with allegations about workmanship, design, materials, termination or another construction contract dispute.
After the initial call
What the firm reviews before work is scoped
- The nature and current stage of the dispute
- The business’s immediate commercial objective
- The documents and information currently available
- Any important information or evidence that is missing
- Whether expert or other professional input may be required
- The appropriate initial scope of legal work
- The proposed fee for that work
This review is used to define the proposed engagement. Tenarys Law will then provide the scope, quotation and retainer for the business to consider.
Request an Initial TriageWhat happens next?
From initial triage to a clear next step
01. Submit the short triage form
Provide a brief outline of the issue, its approximate value and its current stage. There is no need to upload documents at this point.
02. Tenarys Law reviews the information
The outline is reviewed to understand the nature of the dispute, its urgency and whether Tenarys Law may be able to assist.
03. The appropriate next step is identified
Where appropriate, a short call will be arranged with Kevin Timms. The next step may be a viability report or another form of early action.
Construction disputes experience
Commercial judgement backed by disputes experience
Tenarys Law was founded and is led by Kevin Timms, a senior solicitor with more than 15 years’ experience in disputes. His experience includes significant post-completion construction disputes involving payment, defects, project damage, cladding, technical evidence and substantial financial exposure.
The firm’s wider construction capability covers pre-completion disputes, post-completion disputes and construction contracts. Any substantive review and agreed construction dispute work is undertaken through Tenarys Law.
About Tenarys Law and Kevin TimmsStart with a short outline of the issue.
If your business is facing a live or imminent construction dispute, provide a brief outline of what has happened, its approximate value and any urgent deadline.
The first step is a short fact-finding call. The firm reviews the written synopsis and key documents afterwards before Tenarys Law proposes an initial scope and fee.
Start the Short Triage Form