Bellway Homes Ltd v Surgo Construction Ltd [2024] EWHC 10 (TCC) (27 November 2023)

Bellway Homes Ltd v Surgo Construction Ltd [2024] EWHC 10 (TCC) (27 November 2023)

The court held that only one dispute was referred to adjudication, namely the sum due on the payment application, with two alternative routes to resolution. The adjudicator did not exceed jurisdiction by determining the true value after rejecting the smash & grab claim, as this was expressly sought in the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2024] EWHC 10 (TCC)
Parties
Claimant: Bellway Homes Limited; Defendant: Surgo Construction Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
27 November 2023
Procedural Posture
Summary Judgment Application to Enforce Adjudication Decision / Judgment on Application for Summary Judgment
Outcome
Application granted; summary judgment for the claimant.
Legal Topics
Adjudication Enforcement, Jurisdiction of Adjudicator, Payment Disputes, True Value Adjudication, Smash and Grab Claims
Construction Law Contract Law Adjudication Enforcement Jurisdiction of Adjudicator Payment Disputes True Value Adjudication Smash and Grab Claims

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 9 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Bellway Homes Limited

Claimant

Surgo Construction Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Summary Judgment Application to Enforce Adjudication Decision / Judgment on Application for Summary Judgment

  1. 1 Whether multiple disputes were referred to adjudication without consent, depriving the adjudicator of jurisdiction
  2. 2 Whether the adjudicator exceeded jurisdiction by determining the true value after rejecting the 'smash & grab' claim

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that only one dispute was referred to adjudication, namely the sum due on the payment application, with two alternative routes to resolution. The adjudicator did not exceed jurisdiction by determining the true value after rejecting the smash & grab claim, as this was expressly sought in the alternative in the notice and referral. The defendant's jurisdictional objections were rejected and summary judgment was granted.

Court Disposition

Application granted; summary judgment for the claimant.

Orders

  • Defendant to pay claimant £148,431.70 forthwith.
  • Interest to accrue at £33.03 per day thereafter.