Resolving Complex
Disputes With Authority.
Meridian ADR provides expert arbitration and adjudication services for commercial, construction, and infrastructure disputes. Our panel of specialist practitioners delivers binding decisions under the Arbitration Act 1996 and the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.
Specialist Dispute Resolution
Two distinct pathways for resolving disputes — each calibrated to the nature, urgency, and value of your claim.
Arbitration
A private, confidential process in which parties submit their dispute to one or more independent arbitrators. The arbitrator's award is final, binding, and enforceable in courts worldwide under the New York Convention 1958.
Adjudication
A statutory right under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 for parties to any construction contract to refer disputes to an independent adjudicator. The process is designed to deliver interim cash-flow protection within 28 days.
Statutory & Regulatory Framework
Every proceeding administered by Meridian ADR is grounded in English law and internationally recognised procedural standards.
Arbitration Act 1996
The foundational statute governing all arbitral proceedings. Codifies party autonomy, establishes the role of arbitrators, and limits court intervention. Awards are enforceable as court judgments.
Housing Grants, Construction & Regeneration Act 1996
Commonly known as the "Construction Act", this statute introduced the statutory right to adjudication for all construction contracts and regulates payment provisions to protect cash flow in the supply chain.
Scheme for Construction Contracts 1998
Implies adjudication provisions into construction contracts that fail to comply with the Act. Sets out the default procedural rules and the adjudicator's powers where the contract is silent.
LDEDCA 2009 (Amendment Act)
Amended the Construction Act to extend protections to oral contracts, require greater payment transparency, and strengthen the statutory notice regime for pay-less notices.
New York Convention 1958
The UN Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. Awards issued by Meridian ADR arbitrators are enforceable in all contracting states with minimal grounds for challenge.
CIArb & RICS Institutional Rules
Meridian ADR practitioners are accredited under the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and RICS. All proceedings may be conducted under CIArb, RICS, or bespoke ad hoc rules as agreed by the parties.
How Cases Are Handled
Transparent, step-by-step procedures designed for clarity, fairness, and decisiveness.
Arbitration Process
Notice of Arbitration
Claimant serves a Notice of Arbitration on the respondent, specifying the dispute and the relief sought. Meridian ADR confirms receipt and opens the file.
Appointment of Arbitrator
Parties agree on a sole arbitrator or a three-member tribunal. If agreement is not reached within 14 days, Meridian ADR appoints from its accredited panel.
Procedural Directions
The arbitrator issues a Procedural Order setting out the timetable, pleading requirements, document disclosure obligations, and the format of any hearing.
Statements of Case
Claimant submits its Points of Claim; Respondent files Points of Defence and any Counterclaim. Further rounds of pleadings may be ordered.
Evidence & Disclosure
Documentary disclosure and exchange of witness statements. Expert evidence is commissioned if technical issues require specialist input.
Hearing or Documents-Only
An oral hearing is held or, for suitable cases, the arbitrator decides on the papers alone. Final written submissions may be invited in lieu of oral argument.
Award
The arbitrator publishes a reasoned, binding award. The award may be registered as a court judgment and enforced worldwide under the New York Convention.
Adjudication — 28 Days
Notice of Adjudication
Referring party serves a Notice of Adjudication on the responding party, identifying the dispute and the redress sought. Meridian ADR receives a copy.
Appointment (Day 1–7)
The adjudicator is appointed within 7 days of the Notice. If Meridian ADR is invoked as ANB, it nominates a suitable adjudicator within 5 days.
Referral Notice (Day 7)
The referring party submits its full Referral Notice with all supporting documents. The 28-day decision period commences from this date.
Response (Day 14–21)
The responding party submits its Response, including any Counterclaim. The adjudicator may request further information or clarifications.
Decision (Day 28)
The adjudicator publishes a binding decision within 28 days (or extended period). Reasons are provided unless the parties agree otherwise.
Enforcement
The decision is temporarily binding and immediately enforceable. Non-compliant parties face summary enforcement proceedings in the TCC.
Our Panel
Independent practitioners of the highest standing. Appointed for their expertise, integrity, and track record of decisive, reasoned decision-making.
Dr. Catherine Harlow KC
Senior Arbitrator & Head of Panel
FCIArb · Barrister · King's Counsel
Former barrister of 22 years, appointed King's Counsel in 2011. Catherine has acted as arbitrator in over 340 proceedings and served as president of the CIArb UK Branch.
James Elsworth FRICS
Head of Construction Adjudication
FCIArb · FRICS · Chartered Adjudicator
Quantity surveyor turned adjudicator with over 290 adjudication decisions. James sits on the RICS Dispute Resolution Service panel and is a fellow of both CIArb and RICS.
Dr. Priya Nair
International Arbitration Specialist
MCIArb · LLM (International) · CEDR Mediator
Doctor of International Arbitration Law from King's College London. Priya handles multilingual proceedings across common and civil law jurisdictions in English, French, and Hindi.
Michael Fairfax
Commercial & Infrastructure Arbitrator
FCIArb · Solicitor (retired) · TEP
Retired senior partner at a leading City firm. Michael's practice focuses on disputes arising from major infrastructure projects and public procurement contracts.
Client Outcomes
Meridian ADR delivered a clear, well-reasoned adjudication decision within 26 days. The adjudicator grasped the technical complexity of our delay claim immediately. We recovered £1.4 million that had been wrongly withheld.
We required an arbitrator with deep knowledge of LNG offtake agreements. Dr. Nair's award was meticulous, commercially astute, and has since been cited by counsel in subsequent proceedings. An exceptional result.
The adjudication procedure was handled with speed and rigour. Our respondent attempted several procedural challenges; all were dismissed with authority. The enforced decision resolved a dispute that had paralysed the project for seven months.
Fee Structure
Transparent, competitive fees reflecting the seniority and expertise of our practitioners. All fees are exclusive of VAT and disbursements unless stated.
Adjudication
All-inclusive fee covering adjudicator appointment, procedural management, and delivery of a reasoned decision within the statutory timeframe.
- ANB appointment service
- Procedural direction
- Up to 40 pages of documents
- Reasoned written decision
- Post-decision clarification
Additional document-heavy or complex cases quoted on receipt of referral.
EnquireArbitration
Daily rate for arbitrator's time, applicable to hearings, deliberations, and award preparation. Procedural management fee charged separately.
- Experienced panel arbitrator
- Procedural Order within 14 days
- Document-only or oral hearing
- Reasoned binding award
- Enforcement assistance
Retainer and deposit structure quoted upon appointment. Estimate provided within 5 working days.
EnquireInternational & Complex
Tailored fee arrangements for high-value, multi-jurisdictional, or technically complex arbitrations requiring a three-member tribunal.
- Three-member tribunal option
- Multilingual proceedings
- ICC / LCIA / CIArb rules
- Seat of arbitration flexibility
- Emergency interim measures
Comprehensive fee proposal issued within 48 hours of receiving your dispute summary.
EnquireSelected Case Studies
Representative matters handled by the Meridian ADR panel. All identifying details have been anonymised in accordance with confidentiality obligations.
Full payment awarded in 27 days following subcontractor's referral of disputed interim applications on a highway project.
Sole arbitrator award in favour of claimant on a long-term gas supply agreement dispute, covering price re-opener, take-or-pay obligations, and force majeure.
Adjudicator found for responding party on defects counterclaim; referred amount reduced by 67% following forensic analysis of contractor's quantum.
Ready to Resolve Your Dispute?
Submit your dispute details and one of our practitioners will provide an initial assessment within 24 hours. Adjudication proceedings can commence within 48 hours of appointment.