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The facts

HS Works (鈥淗SW鈥�) was employed by Enterprise Managed Services (鈥淓nterprise鈥�) to carry out construction at various locations in and around Greater London. Issues arose between the parties in relation to the evaluation of the final account and to a number of contra charges said to be due to Enterprise. There were two different adjudications involving two different adjudicators.

In the first decision, the adjudicator decided that 拢1,835,252.26 interest plus VAT and the adjudicator's fees should be paid by Enterprise. In the second decision the adjudicator decided that the proper valuation of the sub-contract works allowing for contra charges was 拢23,253,931.09. The effect of the second decision could mean that all or part of the sum decided to be due under the first decision should be repaid, if paid at all. Each party argued that the decision which was adverse to its interests was an invalid decision on the grounds of jurisdiction or natural justice.

Both parties issued its claim to enforce the relevant adjudication decision. Both parties also issued summary judgment applications. Directions were given so that the hearing of both applications was heard at one hearing.

The issues

There were a number of issues before the court, however, the main issue related to whether or not both adjudications were valid and if so, how should they be given effect? In determining the validity of the adjudication decisions, the court was required to determine whether or not the adjudicators applied the rules of natural justice.

The decision

The first area the court looked at was how, the court deals simultaneously with two adjudication enforcements which decided different things but which might or do impact on each other. There are the cases in which one or other of the other decisions is invalid on jurisdictional or natural justice grounds. This class of case gives rise to no problem as an unenforceable decision can be ignored for all practical purposes in connection with the enforcement of a valid decision.

The more difficult case arises when there are two enforceable decisions which might or do impact on each other. In Mr Justice Akenhead's opinion, the following steps need to be considered before one can consider whether in effect one can permit a set off of one decision against the other:

a) It is necessary to determine at the time when the court is considering the issue whether both decisions are valid; if not or if it cannot be determined whether each is valid, it is unnecessary to consider the next steps

b) If both are valid, it is then necessary to consider if, both are capable of being enforced or given effect to; if one or other is not so capable, the question of set off does not arise

c) If it is clear that both are so capable, the court should enforce or give effect to both of them, provided that separate proceedings have been brought by each party to enforce each decision. The court has no reason to favour one side or the other if each has a valid and enforceable decision in its favour

d) How each decision is enforced is a matter for the court. It may be wholly inappropriate to permit a set off of a second financial decision as in such circumstances where the first decision was predicated upon a basis that there could be no set off.

It was held that both adjudication decisions were valid and enforceable. Therefore the parties and the courts were required to give effect to both decisions. The court has a discretion however as to how any order or orders on judgment should be drawn. On balance, it was held in this case that the orders should be drawn to reflect the facts. It would be pointless, at least on an administrative basis for Enterprise to hand over a net sum due pursuant to the first adjudication direction followed by HSW having to hand back all or the bulk of what had just been paid to it by Enterprise.

Comment

The court also considered how and when a dispute crystallises. It was held that negotiation and discussion are likely to be more consistent with the existence of a dispute, albeit an as yet unresolved dispute. It was suggested by Mr Justice Akenhead that the court is likely to be readily willing to infer that a claim is not admitted and that a dispute exists so that it can be referred to arbitration or adjudication.