Construction Arbitration Lawyers

When a construction dispute reaches an arbitration clause, the process moves quickly, and the outcome is binding. Our construction arbitration solicitors advise contractors, subcontractors and developers on construction arbitration, from understanding the clause in your contract to preparing for the process ahead.

Two construction workers in safety gear discussing plans at a site entrance.

Arbitration, Adjudication or Litigation

Construction disputes can be resolved in several ways, and which route applies usually comes down to what your contract says. Adjudication is the fast track most construction contracts use first, decided within 28 days but not always final. Construction arbitration is different. Both sides agree, often through a clause written into the contract at the outset, to let an arbitrator decide the dispute instead of a judge. The arbitrator’s award is binding and enforceable in the same way as a court judgment. Our construction arbitration solicitors working with businesses across Manchester and the UK explain which process applies before a dispute reaches that stage, so you are not deciding under pressure.

How Our Construction Arbitration Solicitors Help Contractors and Developers

Construction arbitration can move fast once triggered. Here is where our support typically comes in, whether you are contractor, subcontractor or developer.

Advising on Arbitrator Selection

We advise on how an arbitrator is chosen or appointed for construction dispute resolution, including the experience and construction knowledge worth looking for given the nature of your dispute.

What This Means for You

  • Clarity on whether arbitration or adjudication applies to your dispute
  • Confidence in what your contract’s arbitration clause requires
  • A properly prepared position before the arbitrator’s timetable begins
  • Reduced risk of missing a notice deadline or procedural step
  • A clear understanding of what a binding award means for you

Contact Us for Construction Arbitration


At MAR Legal, a delay on one issue, an arbitration clause, a disputed payment, or a contract that was never properly reviewed, can hold up an entire project. Our construction arbitration solicitors work directly with you to resolve the legal side quickly, so the project keeps moving and your position stays protected.

Get in touch today for a consultation, and let us help you protect your project and your business.

When To Seek Advice

  • Your construction contract includes an arbitration clause you have not reviewed
  • You have received a notice of arbitration from the other side
  • A construction dispute is escalating, and arbitration may be the next step
  • You are unsure whether adjudication or arbitration applies to your situation
  • You want the arbitration clause checked before signing a new contract, ask our solicitors first

Meet the Founder

Marium brings 22 years of experience advising businesses on commercial disputes and regulatory matters across the UK. A Solicitor regulated by the SRA (ID: 277854) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb), she founded MAR Legal to give businesses direct access to senior dispute resolution advice without the overhead of a traditional firm.

Marium Razzaq - Solicitors in Manchester
Marium Razzaq
Solicitor & Director Mar Legal

MCIArb

Why Businesses Choose MAR Legal for Construction Arbitration

Solicitor Led Support

Every arbitration clause and notice is reviewed by our solicitors.

UK Wide Support

We advise businesses across Manchester and the UK, in person or remotely.

Fixed Fee Pricing

Fixed Fee pricing is available for reviewing an arbitration clause or notice.

Construction Sector Knowledge

We work with contractors, subcontractors and developers across the UK on arbitration matters.

Trusted by contractors and developers across the UK for practical construction arbitration advice.

What Our Clients Say

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George Alexo
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I can’t recommend Mar Legal highly enough. From the first consultation they were clear, knowledgeable, and straightforward with their advice — no jargon, no runaround. They were responsive whenever I had questions and clearly had my best interests at heart throughout. If you’re looking for legal support you can actually trust, this is the team.
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Mark West
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Perfect experience! We required our IDs verified for a house purchase in another town. The team were very friendly, helpful and quick to sort everything out for us. I highly reccomend!
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Fast and easy way to verify your ID online. Great customer service.
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Conor Morrison
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I instructed MAR legal to assist with company formation and trademark applications for my business. The whole process was straightforward and handled professionally from start to finish. They were responsive, knowledgeable and made sure everything was completed properly. I would definitely use MAR legal again for future business matters.
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Anah Akbar
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I used MAR legal to prepare my UK will and found the service very professional and easy to deal with. Everything was explained clearly and the process was handled efficiently from start to finish. It gave me real peace of mind knowing everything had been done properly. I would happily recommend MAR legal to anyone looking to put a will in place.
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We have used MAR legal for a range of corporate and commercial matters and have always found them reliable, responsive and easy to work with. Their advice is practical and commercially focused, which is exactly what you want as a business owner. They have supported us with contracts, business agreements and general commercial advice, and everything has been handled professionally and efficiently. Communication has always been clear and turnaround times have been very good. It is refreshing to work with a firm that takes the time to understand the commercial side of a business rather than just giving generic legal advice. We would happily recommend MAR legal to other businesses looking for ongoing legal support.
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Sarah Ibrar
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Tanawish was super helpful and very responsive
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Pooja Cheema
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I needed independent legal advice on a bridging loan for a refinance and MAR legal handled it well. They were quick to respond, easy to deal with and turned everything around within 24 hours. The fees were reasonable and there were no delays. I would be happy to use them again.
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I used MAR Legal for independent legal advice on a mortgage and was very pleased with the service. I was able to get a same day appointment, which was really helpful, and everything was turned around within 24 hours. They talked me through everything in a way that actually made sense and were easy to deal with throughout. I would use MAR legal again without hesitation.
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MAR legal assisted with drafting an employment contract for my business and the service was very good. They took the time to understand our requirements and produced a clear and well structured contract that suited our needs. The advice was practical and the process was handled efficiently. I would be happy to use MAR legal again for future legal support.
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How Our Company Formation Process Works

01

Initial Consultation

Tell us about the dispute and whether your contract includes an arbitration clause.


02

Clause or Notice Review

We review the arbitration clause, or any notice served and explain what it means for your position.


03

Preparation

We help you prepare your position, evidence and timetable ahead of the arbitration.


04

Resolution

Our construction arbitration solicitors explain the arbitrator’s award and what it means once a decision is reached.

Visit our Manchester Construction Arbitration Lawyers

MAR Legal is based at Regus, 3 Hardman St, Manchester M3 3HF, in the heart of the city’s business district.

The office is a short walk from Deansgate and Manchester Oxford Road stations, with St Peter’s Square and Deansgate-Castlefield tram stops both within 10 minutes on foot. The nearest car park is on Quay Street, a couple of minutes away.

We advise businesses across Manchester and the wider North West, including Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Bolton and Bury, as well as clients across the UK.

Construction FAQs

Construction arbitration is a private process for resolving a construction dispute, where both sides agree to let an independent arbitrator decide the outcome instead of a court. It is usually triggered by an arbitration clause written into the construction contract at the outset. The arbitrator considers evidence from both sides and issues a decision, known as an award, which is binding and enforceable in the same way as a court judgment.

Adjudication is a fast-track process under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, decided within 28 days, though the decision is only binding until the dispute is finally resolved. Arbitration is a separate process, usually triggered by a clause in the contract, where an independent arbitrator reaches a final and binding decision. Many construction contracts use adjudication first, with arbitration available if either side wants a final resolution.

Generally, yes. An arbitration award is binding on both parties once issued, and the grounds for challenging it in court are narrow, covering issues such as the arbitrator exceeding their authority or a serious procedural irregularity. Simply disagreeing with the outcome is not enough to overturn an award. This finality is one of the reasons arbitration clauses are written carefully, since the decision reached is difficult to unpick once made.

There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor, but construction arbitration moves quickly once a notice is served, and the clause governing it can be dense to read under pressure. A solicitor can review the clause before a dispute arises, explain a notice you have received, and help you prepare your position and evidence within the arbitrator’s timetable.

There is no fixed timescale. It depends on the complexity of the dispute, the number of parties, and the procedure both sides agree to follow. A straightforward dispute between two parties can conclude faster than a multi-party dispute involving several contractors or subcontractors. The arbitration clause in your contract, and any rules it refers to, usually set out the procedural steps that shape how long the process runs.

Often the parties agree on an arbitrator jointly, drawing on someone with relevant construction or engineering experience. Where they cannot agree, the construction contract or the arbitration rules it refers to will usually set out an appointing body that selects one instead. Getting this stage right matters, since the arbitrator’s expertise and approach shape how the rest of the process runs.

Appeals against an arbitration award are limited under the Arbitration Act 1996 and are not available simply because a party disagrees with the outcome. Grounds are narrow, covering serious irregularity in how the process was conducted or, in some cases, a point of law where the arbitration agreement allows it. This limited right of appeal is part of what makes arbitration a faster route than litigation.