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CIPAA 2012, Contract Law and You

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5/10/2014

CIPAA 2012, Contract Law And You


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CIPAA 2012, Contract Law And You


My views on the law of contract, with emphasis on Construction Industry & Payment Adjudication Act 2012 Malaysia I am
a lawyer who, as a journeyman who has been an entrepreneur, IT Project Manager and Marketing Evangelist, believes
that CIPAA 2012 has the potential to benefit the construction industry in Malaysia as a whole.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

SEARCH THIS BLOG


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What Is The Difference Between Adjudication, Mediation, Arbitration and


Litigation?
BLOG ARCHIVE

Litigation v Alternative Dispute Resolution

November (1)

Litigation is the civil action initiated in courts and the outcome is decided by the Judge. It
is typically complicated and involves high value matters and are brought before a Judge
who draws on the depths of available legal knowledge and precedents, with the
assistance of opposing lawyers, to make a decision within the rigid legal procedural
structure. It is therefore easy to see why litigation is costly and of considerable length.

July (1)

ADR was introduced to enable parties in a dispute to enlist a third party


(mediator/adjudicator/arbitrator) to decide in a faster period and free (or freer) from the
legal confines that is associated with litigation, to lower costs.

December (2)

Here's an overview comparison of ADR

May (1)
March (1)
February (1)
January (1)
September (1)
August (3)

MY BLOG LIST

Inforrm's Blog

MEDIATION
very informal

Privacy in Court Proceedings:


Exposed Dominic Crossley

high confidentiality

eLawyer Law Blog Forum

lower cost than arbitration

Four Lame Excuses Not To Quit Your


Job

shortest period - may conclude within 1 -2 days

Media Law Journal


The news according to Mike Hosking

ADJUDICATION
less formal than arbitration, rules of evidence do not apply
Adjudicator controls content and outcome of proceeding (if any)

LawEddie.com
Why Lawyers Should Learn How To
Count

Legal in Malaysia

lower cost than arbitration


shorter than arbitration - in CIPAA 2012, Adjudicator has to decide within 45
days

HK Global Resources

decision is interim as it may be appealed or stayed or overturned by arbitral


award or Court
monetary remedies only
ARBITRATION
rules of evidence do not apply but procedural rules applicable
remedies must be legal capable of being performed
may take years to conclude
costs may be higher than litigation because of thoroughness and expediency
Posted by Jonathan Rozario at 2:44 AM

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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013

When Will CIPAA 2012 Come into Effect?


The construction industry in Malaysia awaits with bated breath and wondering when will
the Minister sign the statute into effect.
It is my humble opinion that the Government needs to protect itself from the possibility of
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dealing with a lorry load of payment claims arriving at the doors of its various ministries
and agencies once the Construction Industry Payment & Adjudication Act 2012 ("CIPAA
2012") comes into effect. It is envisaged that the exemption card may be played by the
Government, albeit selectively initially, to minimize the claims arising from payment
disputes of the construction projects - ongoing or completed, pursuant to s. 40 of CIPAA
2012.
The potential "stop work" or "go slow" as a consequence of adjudication decisions being
enforced by unpaid parties for ongoing Government initiated projects weighs in heavily.
The impact of such actions maybe too crippling for the Government to deal with unless it
already has in placed legal personnel trained to deal with the appeal process to avoid
enforcement. Or else the Government must ready bags full of funds to fork out to deal
with unfavorable adjudication decisions to avoid enforcement.
With so much on the Government's plate, is it any wonder why no one seems to know
when CIPAA 2012 will come into effect?
Posted by Jonathan Rozario at 8:25 PM

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SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013

Pay Now, Argue Later and CIPAA 2012


The Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre of Arbitration (KLRCA), has often summarised the
core concept of the Construction Industry Payment & Adjudication Act 2012 (CIPAA 2012)
to be "Pay Now, Argue Later". CIPAA 2012 was introduced in Malaysia with the sole aim
of addressing the payment problem faced by sub-contractors, suppliers, agents,
professional service providers, (collectively referred to "Claimant") etc in the construction
industry, whose only remedy for payment disputes was costly and protracted litigation in
either the court or arbitration. Now, payment disputes can be brought before KLRCA
certified adjudicators for speedy and cost effective decision.
What happens when the Claimant/ himself does not come to the adjudicator with "clean
hands"? What happens if the Claimant has been accused of defective work which has
resulted in non-payment by the Respondent? Pay Now, Argue Later will have a bearing on
the payment dispute as the adjudicator will be tasked in determining the extent of work
done and decide the amount to be paid.

Defective Work In Construction Projects


The nature of defective work
The nature and type of defects in construction and engineering projects can vary, and not
forgetting that the point at which the defects become apparent. On one end of the scale
minor defects can easily be corrected before the building or plant is handed over to the
employer, while at the other extreme major or significant defects may occur long after the
original work has been completed and require extensive remedial works to fix.
Some of the defects can arise because the work was not carried out in a 'good and
workmanlike manner' in accordance with good practice or a particular design, or because
the wrong materials have been used matters which would usually be the responsibility
of the building contractor and its supply chain.
Alternatively a particular design is not working in the manner that it should as the designer
could be at fault.
In the frequently used design and build scenario, the contractor would normally have
primary liability for both types of failure although it may have consequential claims
against its designers and supply chain.
On one view identifying a defect should be easy: something has usually not been
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provided in the manner that it should have been, the foundations of a building could crack
and subside, the air-conditioning units fail or the roof leak. However, in considering
'defects' as a matter of principle, work may be defective even if it has been carried out
with all due skill and care but it fails to meet a particular specification.
For example, brickwork may be erected correctly but the wrong type or colour of brick
could have been used in breach of planning permission.
Potentially difficult arguments can arise where work has been carried out incorrectly by
the contractor but the architect or engineer's design is also at fault. In these situations,
the contractor may deny liability on the basis that even though the work was carried out
defectively, it did not cause the damage complained of. An employer will not be as
concerned as the contractor and architect to get to the bottom of exactly who is at fault
for that as long as it can claim against one or both of the parties and both still exist.
It is often important to distinguish between patent and latent defects. A patent defect is
one that is detectable either at or before apparent practical completion or during
the defects liability period. In the past, the courts have held that patent defects must be
apparent on inspection but need not necessarily have been seen by the people carrying
out that inspection. By contract, a latent defect is one which has been concealed in the
works and may not become apparent for many years.
Typical contractual provisions
The standard form construction contracts contain provisions dealing with the treatment of
defective work during the course of construction, at completion and during the defects
liability or rectification period. By way of illustration, the contract form may provide that the
employer may issue instructions requiring the opening up for inspection of any work
covered up or tests of materials or goods or executed work. The cost of opening up or
testing is added to the contract sum, unless the inspection shows that the materials,
goods, or work are not in accordance with the contract - the contractor then bears those
costs.
The question of defects often arises in the context of practical completion (PC), and
whether or not completion can be said to have occurred even though minor defects exist.
In the absence of any definition, guidelines have been developed from case law which
broadly state that:

at the date of practical completion the work should be complete and


free from patent defects;

PC will be achieved notwithstanding the presence of latent defects,


because such defects are by definition not apparent;

any defects which are not apparent at PC which do become evident


during the defects liability period may be addressed in that period;

discretion usually exists to certify PC when minor work remains to be


carried out, although it is possible to insist on completion of all snagging items
before PC.

Rights and remedies


An issue which often arises in the context of construction projects is whether the
contractor has a 'right to return' to the site to remedy defects. However, there is no such
right unless one is specifically conferred upon the contractor by the defects liability
provisions or otherwise in the contract. Where there is no express right for the contractor
to return to the site to attend to remedial works, or the relevant period has passed, an
employer is entitled to employ others to rectify defects. However, where a third party is
appointed and that is thought to be unreasonable in the circumstances of the case then
the employer may be criticised for failing to mitigate its loss.
The standard forms use different terminology for the defects rectification period, including
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'rectification period', 'maintenance period' and 'defects correction period'. The nature and
scope of such periods depend on the mechanism adopted in the particular contract, and
they are typically seen as applying to the whole of the works, the relevant part or section.
The length of the period will be negotiated by the parties and the nature of the works to be
undertaken.
In circumstances where defective work is present, several legal remedies may exist.
Starting with remedies in contract, where defective work is present as a consequence of
a breach of contract then a claiming party is entitled to be put into the position it would
have been if the work had been correctly carried out. This is achieved by a monetary
award. The claiming party's losses may be assessed on the basis of:

the reasonable cost of repair of the defect work;

the difference in value or loss of amenity of the relevant work.

In strict legal terms the date for assessment of the loss is when the defect is noticed, but
when considering the cost of repair the date of assessment is usually taken as when it is
reasonable in the circumstances to undertake the relevant works. A party seeking to bring
an action for breach of contract in relation to defective works has six years to do so if the
contract is executed under hand (signed by a single, authorised representative) or 12
years if the contract is executed by deed. Those periods run from the date of the breach
of contract. In the case of patent defects this should be obvious, as it is the date when the
defective work is carried out, but for latent defects the date of cause in action is usually
taken as being the date on which PC is certified or given. Similar considerations would
arise in relation to allegations of defective design.
Betterment
Where repair works result in a better or newer building, a deduction in damages will not
usually be made if the claiming party had no reasonable choice but to undertake the
works in that way. However, if a party chooses to rebuild to a higher standard than was
strictly necessary it may only be entitled to recover the cost of those works less a credit
for the betterment element of it. While each case will turn on its own facts, if works are
said to be unnecessarily expensive the test to be applied is whether the claiming party
acted reasonably in proceeding in that way. If not, it may struggle to recover the additional
costs.
Pure Economic Loss
Defects in buildings can also pose significant problems for subsequent owners who take
on responsibility for a building without having procured the relevant work. This is because
there would be no claim in contract, unless separate rights or a warranty had been
conferred on that new owner. If this situation arises and the subsequent owner has no
remedy in contract it raises the question over whether the owner can recover its costs
and losses in any other way, for example in tort. The general rule is that damage to a
building which is attributable to a defect in the structure of that building is not recoverable
such damage is known as 'pure economic loss' as the only loss sustained is the fact
that the new owner has paid too much for the property.
In 2011 the Court of Appeal clarified that, ordinarily, contractors will not owe duties not to
cause pure economic loss. Therefore they will not owe such duties to subsequent
owners.
Limited exceptions may apply if the new owner is able to show that the contractor had
assumed responsibility for that loss through the provision of skilled advice or services or
at least some design responsibility, and that the owner had relied on that advice or
services or design. Such situations have been held to arise, for example, where a
specialist subcontractor provides services to the contractor who employed it and where a
civil engineer provided design services. However, such situations are complicated and
the preferable route would always be to ensure that any new owner had the appropriate
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contractual protection to try and guard against its losses.


Set off, abatement and withholding
Defective work also raises issues relating to certain 'self help' remedies, including
common law set off or abatement and equitable set off.
Common law set off or abatement: A summary of the legal principles :-

in a contract for labour and materials where performance has been


defective the employer is entitled to maintain a defence of abatement;

the measure of the abatement is the amount by which the product of


the contractor's endeavours has been diminished in value as a result of the
defective performance;

depending on the facts, this difference may be determined by


comparing the market value of what has been constructed with what ought to
have been built, or by reference to the cost of remedial works (but not the cost
of the remedial works themselves);

the measure of abatement can never exceed the sum which would
otherwise be due to the contractor as payment;

abatement is not available as a defence to a claim in respect of


professional services;

claims for delay, disruption or damage caused to anything other than


that which the contractor has constructed cannot feature in a defence of
abatement.
Equitable set-off
This is permitted where a party has a cross-claim which it would be unjust not to take into
account. This is a wide test and will cover any cross-claim 'closely connected' with the
claim being made.
The issues surrounding set off and abatement lead us to the restrictions on those rights
under CIPAA 2012. The Act provides that a party to a construction contract may not
withhold payment after the final due date. Period. Unlike similar statute in the UK which
provides that a party may not withhold payment after it becomes due unless it gives an
effective notice of its intention to withhold payment including its grounds for doing so to
the other party. This is to stop contractors abusing their position to wrongfully withhold
sums due to subcontractors who typically have no quick or cheap means to challenge the
withholding.
The "Pay Now, Argue Later" principle of CIPAA 2012 may result in prolonged litigation.
The losing party of the adjudication decision will seek to appeal the decision in court and
stay the execution of the decision. This will certainly defeat the noble aim of CIPAA 2012
to resolve payment disputes quickly and cost effectively.
Practical issues
As a starting point, it is worth thinking about how defects and completion issues should
be addressed at procurement stage. Whether something is defective will often depend
not so much on whether it is completed competently from a workmanship perspective but
on the precise standard and specification to be met. Similarly, if specific tests are to be
passed these will need to be provided for contractually, and consideration given to
whether general or liquidated damages should apply in the event of failure. The precise
standard and level of completion required for PC is something which can often cause
arguments, so careful consideration should be given to whether the completion
requirements are clear and what risks they may hold.
It goes without saying that those passing their obligations down a supply chain should
seek the same assumption of responsibility in relation to defects.

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Turning to the execution phase of the contract, the practical issues tend to focus around
evidence and notices. Defects are most likely to be picked up on site if there is regular
monitoring and testing. It will be a commercial judgement for employers and contractors
as to how much they wish to spend monitoring and testing the works, but what is crucially
important is that if defects are identified that are likely to have implications for the project
then comprehensive records will need to be taken. Similarly, if it is intended to reduce a
payment or advance a claim as a result of a defect, then consideration should very rapidly
be given to the basis of the claim. It is also not uncommon for issues to arise as to
whether an employer waived or agreed to allow a defect to remain. Again, evidence of
agreement or waiver should be obtained.
Post completion, if a defect occurs within a defects liability period under a contract then in
all probability the employer will be entitled to require the contractor to correct the defect. In
some forms this is the case even if it is not clear that the defect is the contractor's
responsibility, although the contractor will be entitled to payment if it is proved the defect
is not one for which is it responsible.
Clearly, early consideration should be given to the contractual procedures and relevant
notices. Even if the defects liability period has ended the contractor will in the vast
majority of cases remain liable in damages.
If you are an end user who did not employ the contractor or design team then you will
want to consider whether you have the benefit of any assignment of the relevant building
contract or professional appointments, or alternatively whether you have collateral
warranties or third party rights.

YONG MOK HIN v. UNITED MALAY STATES SUGAR INDUSTRIES


LTD
[1964] 1 LNS 230
DW3, a civil and structural engineer, who inspected the work at the end of the same
year also testified about the defective work as enumerated in para. 7 of the
statement of defence. The plaintiff sought to argue that the architect had supervised
the work and had issued the certificate Exh. P2, had signed in the plaintiff's pass
book, and lastly the defendant company had by their letter stated that the work was
satisfactory. In my judgment such certificate or letter only represents the approximate
value of the work done or materials used. It is not conclusive on the parties as an
expression of satisfaction with the quality of the work or materials. That is subject to
readjustment upon the issue of the final certificate. Having considered the evidence,
I am satisfied that the work was defective and was due to bad workmanship.
The defendant company opted to accept repudiation and sue for damages for
incomplete and defective work. The law with regard to the measure of damages is
adequately stated at p. 442 of the 9th Edn. of Hudson on "Building and Engineering
Contracts".
... the direct measure of damage will be the difference between the
reasonable cost to the employer of repairing the defects or completing the
work, together with any sums paid by or due from him under the contract, and
the sums which would have been payable by him under the contract if it had
been properly carried out. (Where the former does not exceed the latter, only
nominal damages would be recoverable). Such damages are clearly
recoverable within the first branch of the in Hadley v. Baxendale [1854] 9 Ex
341 as likely to arise in the usual course of things from the breach".
The editor cited several authorities and I think it would be sufficient if I only cite the
case of Hirt v. Hahn [1876] 61 Missouri 496.
B agreed to erect a house for the plaintiff according to plans by a certain day.
The defendants were B's sureties. After partly completing, B ceased work,
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and the plaintiff, after giving notice to the sureties, entered and completed
and sued the sureties. Held, that the measure of damage was what it cost the
plaintiff to complete the house substantially as it was originally intended, and
in a reasonable manner, less any amount that would have been due and
payable to B by the plaintiff had B completed the house at the time agreed by
the terms of his contract".
That is an American case but the principle enunciated was approved by the Court of
Appeal in Mertens v. Home Freeholds Co [1921] 2 KB 526 at p. 535 where Lord
Sterndale said:
It is true that that is an American case. Though I cannot put my finger on them
for the moment I feel satisfied that there are English cases which fix the same
measure of damages. At any rate for the purpose of this case it is sufficient
to say we all consider that the proper measures of damages for the breach of
a building contract such as this".
However, the cost of completion means the cost of completing the contract work, but
not different work. Thus in Milwaukee City v. Shailer [1898] 84 Fed Rep 106 another
American case, Shailer contracted to construct a tunnel for the city. The contract
provided that in case of default, the city should be entitled to complete the work at
Shailer's expense. On Shailer's default the city constructed a tunnel which was
essentially different in plan and cost of construction from that contemplated by the
contract. It was held that the city was not entitled to recover damages from Shailer.
Mr McDonald, a quantity surveyor, testified that a total sum of $377,221.92 would be
the cost of remedying defective work and completing the project from where the
plaintiff had left it. He based his valuation on the current and appropriate building
rates for this quality of work pertaining to this part of Malaysia. It must be borne in
mind that the original contract price was $187,500, and the figure quoted by DW6
would therefore include the cost for the variation and remedying defective work. The
cost of putting right defective work, he stated, was $21,095.75. Therefore,
arithmetically, $168,720 would be the cost of the extra work. In this connection the
cost of extra work must be considered in the light of all the surrounding
circumstances. Thus an employer may have deliberately chosen a small-time
contractor with limited resources of capital, plant and labour to do the work in the
hope of getting a cheaper job. The plaintiff is a class 'E' PWD contractor with a
ceiling of $50,000. As no fixed amount was agreed upon in respect of extra work,
and considering that work was to be done by a contractor of the same class as the
plaintiff, and in view of the principle enunciated in Milwaukee City v. Shailer, supra, I
would consider a sum of $126,540 (750f $168,720) as reasonable. In the
circumstances, the amount that would cost the defendant company to complete the
work and remedy defects would be $335,135.75.
As against that amount must be deducted the contract price as varied that would
represent the costs which the plaintiff would have expended on the whole project as
varied. I assess that figure in the following manner:
Original contract price $187,500
Extra work 74,000
;$261,500.00 ($74,000 is made up of $24,000, the cost of alteration from
zinc walls to 9" brick walls; $40,000 for a third store; and $10,000 for labour
and miscellaneous expenses). From the amount of $261,500 must be
deducted the sum of $36,000 as representing the fifth progress payment.
Therefore the amount which would be due to the plaintiff would be $225,500.
The measure of damages would be the difference between the reasonable costs of
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completing the work as varied and the amount that would have been due to the
plaintiff had he completed the work as varied, and that is $109,635.75.

Posted by Jonathan Rozario at 7:19 PM

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SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2013

Can You Refuse To Pay Contractors Costs?

What are the terms of the contract?


This question can be answered by looking at the express
provisions in the contract.
Unless there is an express provision in the contract that
states the contractor will only be paid when the client pays
pay when paid), the client should still pay on time, or the
provisions of the late payment legislation will apply.
It has been the norm for construction contracts to contain
such provision, which means that even if the contractor
completes the job, payment is still subject to the client
himself getting paid.
Such pay when paid clause will become void when the
Construction Industry & Payment Adjudication Act 2012
(CIPPA 2012) comes into force, and a default payment
clause will be activated and it may be reasonable to imply
payment terms of 30 days or sooner.
If there is no provision for payment terms in the contract,
then arguably payment may be due on presentation of the
invoice. Should the invoice not be paid promptly, then
CIPAA 2012 provides a quick and less expensive method
for contractors to recover payment.
Posted by Jonathan Rozario at 5:17 AM

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Do I Need a Lawyer To Handle Payment Disputes In CIPAA 2012?


Lets face it. The professional relationship with a lawyer is best described by U2... "I can't
live, with or without you".
Like it or not, if a payment dispute in a construction contract is brought to adjudication
within the ambit of Construction Industry Payment & Adjudication Act 2012 ("CIPAA
2012"), the services of lawyers will be inevitable, ultimately.
CIPAA 2012 enables an unpaid party to make a "Payment Claim" for work done or goods
/ services supplied under a written contract for construction works carried out wholly or
partly in Malaysia. If the claim remains unpaid by the non-paying party, the unpaid party
can then proceed to submit an "Adjudication Claim" lodged with the KLRCA, and thereon
proceed with the appointment of the adjudicator, whose job will be to come up with the
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adjudication decision which has to be delivered within 45 days of either the Adjudication
Response or Adjudication Reply, whichever is the later.

A Two-Tier Involvement
A two-tier involvement can be anticipated for lawyers in payment disputes brought for
adjudication in CIPAA 2012, i.e. - pre-adjudication decision and post-adjudication
decision.
Pre-Adjudication Decision.
CIPAA 2012 does not impose any specific format on parties for filing of various
documents to bring or to defend a claim to be adjudicated by an adjudicator certified by
Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre For Arbitration ("KLRCA") at this moment. This is quite
unlike an action in the Courts whereby the format and filing of cause papers is determined
by various statutes and therefore requires the services of a lawyer if one is to avoid the
pitfalls of Do-It-Yourself litigation.
The scope of involvement of lawyers at initial stages of the Payment Claim and Payment
Response may not be required by parties, especially where the disputed amount is not
substantial, and the payment dispute does not involve complicated facts and issues. The
preparation of documents required for "Payment Claim" by the unpaid party and
"Payment Response" by the non-paying party, and subsequently the "Adjudication Claim"
and "Adjudication Response" can very well be handled by non-lawyers. It can be ably be
dealt with by persons within the company with sufficient legal exposure, but with detailed
personal knowledge as to the details of the dispute at hand. The key contribution a lawyer
can provide at this stage is to provide compilation expertise to prepare relevant
submissions in what may turn out to be invaluable when the adjudication decision is
disputed in Court or arbitration.
If a lawyer is involved in the preparation of all documents and communications between
parties and the appointed adjudicator prior to the adjudication decision, he / she will be
able to provide valuable input in such preparation, including being able to keep an eye
open to look out for issues which may result in improperly procured adjudication decision,
such as denial of natural justice and bias, fraud, bribery, etc which can then be used to
contest the adjudication decision and get it set aside by the Courts.
The growth and penetration of CIPAA 2012 will largely depend on KLRCA, as the
adjudication authority, who can be expected to introduce rules, policies and guidelines to
regulate adjudication claims, including standardization of the format of cause papers and
its administration. As this evolves, the level of expertise required to adhere to such rules
will follow naturally and resulting in it becoming a specialized area for claim consultants
which is likely to consist mostly of lawyers, or at the very least those who are legally
trained.
Post-Adjudication Decision
Both the winning and the aggrieved party can be expected to turn to the Courts., either to
enforce the adjudication decision or to set aside and/or stay the execution of the same.
So then, it follows that both parties will have to engage services of their lawyer as such
applications are highly technical in nature with specific formats and procedures to adhere
to.
The options available to the aggrieved party includes:
1. apply to the High Court to set aside the adjudication decision on grounds that it was
improperly procured through :
a. fraud or bribery;
b. there has been a denial of natural justice;
c. the adjudicator has not acted independently or impartiality; or
d. the adjudicator has acted in access of his jurisdiction.
2. apply to the High Court for a stay of the adjudication decision.
If a lawyer had been involved during the pre-adjudication decision, then he / she would
have been able to identify the grounds on which the adjudication decision may be set
aside.
One thing is certain. The way documents are filed and kept will be of utmost importance
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in enabling the payment dispute to progress smoothly. Whether lawyers are involved or
not, the success or failure in such payment disputes will rest on parties' ability to compile
its documents quickly, given the short time frames accorded to the parties for filing of
relevant cause papers under CIPAA 2012.
Posted by Jonathan Rozario at 4:00 PM

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

How To Enforce An Adjudication Decision In CIPAA 2012 Malaysia


The success of Construction Industry Payment & Adjudication Act 2012 ("CIPAA 2012")
as a legal mechanism for unpaid parties in a construction contract for works carried out
wholly or partly in Malaysia to settle payment disputes will be largely determined by the
"bite" which enables the successful party to enforce the adjudication decision.

Enforcement Through the High Court of Malaysia


If the unpaid party / claimant obtains an adjudication decision in his favour, s.28 CIPAA
2012 empowers him to enforce it by applying to the High Court for an order as if it were a
judgment or order of the High Court. This means that the whole gamut of enforcement via
the Court including writ of seizure and sale, winding-up proceeding, bankruptcy, debtor
summons and likely garnishee order, is available by the winning unpaid party to enforce
the decision obtained at adjudication.
The key proviso is that the adjudication decision has not been stayed or set aside or
overruled by arbitration or the Court. However,as enforcement through the mechanisms
of the Court will be costly and maybe time consuming, it is envisaged that it will be a
disincentive in cases where the claim amount does not justify it.

Other than enforcement of the adjudication decision through the Court,


CIPAA 2012 offers a rather more effective method of enforcing the said
decision, i.e:
1. suspend the performance or reduce the rate of progress of performance in the
construction contract in which the payment dispute arose;
2. obtain payment of the adjudicated decision direct from the principal of the construction
contract.

1. Suspend or Slow Work Performance


If the proper procedure of providing written notice of intention to do so to the other party if
the adjudicated amount is not paid within 14 calendar days from the date of receipt of the
notice. S.29 of CIPAA 2012 affords protection to the party who exercises his right to
suspend or "go-slow" without having to repudiate or terminate the on-going construction
contract, and also being able to be entitled to recover any loss and expenses incurred as
a result of the suspension or "go-slow" from the Respondent of the adjudicated decision.

2. Direct Payment From Principal


The other option open to the unpaid party of the adjudication decision, pursuant to s.30
CIPAA 2012 is to attempt to to get the principal of the party against whom the adjudication
decision is made.
This will only be effective if money is due or payable by the principal to the party against
Respondent of the said decision, at the time the request was received from the unpaid
party.
If the said Respondent or losing party fails to show proof of payment to the unpaid party,
the principal shall pay the adjudicated amount to the party who obtained the adjudication
decision in his favour.
Within CIPAA 2012, the principal referred to does not necessarily mean the ultimate
Employer / Developer / Owner in the construction contract between the unpaid party
Claimant and the non-paying party Respondent. The "principal" means the party one
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level above the said Respondent and in many cases may turn out to be the Main
Contractor or even a sub-contractor as the construction industry in Malaysia tends to
have a long chain in the construction process consisting of a chain of sub contractors,
manpower providers, tools and machinery providers, outsourced maintenance
contractors and services providers, consultancy services, hardware and building material
suppliers, etc.
It is anticipated after CIPAA 2012 comes into force, many principal / employers consisting
owners, developers, main contractors and possibly large sub-contractors in the
construction industry in Malaysia will be surprised to one day receive a notice demanding
payment for the adjudicated amount for work done or goods supplied by a sub-contractor
or supplier 2 levels below the principal. Are you ready Malaysia?
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2012

Construction Industry & Payment Adjudication Act 2012 - An Overview


CIPAA 2012 - Are you ready Malaysia?
The construction industry in Malaysia is headed for a seismic upheaval in 2013, if industry
players embrace the new payment regime imposed by CIPAA 2012. The Act will regulate
payment disputes in the construction industry for construction works undertaken wholly or
partly in Malaysia for buildings, telecommunication, oil & gas, infrastructure, maintenance,
exterior and interior design, and shall be extended to consultancy services such as
architectural services, engineering, surveyors, planning & feasibility studies, project
management, and procurement. The scope of CIPAA 2012 is extensive and extends to
"services" and "supply".
An Overview
Payment disputes are the concern of this Act and can be brought to an adjudicator
certified by Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre of Arbitration (KLRCA) as an alternative
form of dispute resolution. It is believed to be cheaper and faster than litigation through the
Courts. This Act gives wide powers to the adjudicator with a view to enable a decision to
be made within 45 days upon the close of pleadings. As such, the underlying approach
for justice of this Act is "Pay Now, Argue Later". This rough justice approach lays in stark
contrast to the fine justice approach adopted by the Courts.
The adjudicator's decision is final and can be enforced in court, unless set aside or
stayed or brought to arbitration or appealed in court. Other avenues opened to the winning
claimant if payment not settled by losing respondent within the time stipulated in the
decision, is to slow work rate, stop work (without having to repudiate the contract) or
make a payment claim directly to the employer (a level directly above the
respondent/losing party in the construction chain).
This Act is expected to shake up the payment malaise currently afflicting the construction
industry and related consultancy service providers. Conditional payment terms such as
"Back-to-back" and "financial draw down" payment terms is prohibited and shall be
deemed to be void pursuant to s. 35 CIPAA 2012. Payment shall be based on actual work
done or goods delivered, if contract terms does not contain specific clauses governing
payment or by operation of s.35 deemed void, reference to s.36 CIPAA 2012 shall be
necessary. S. 36 provides for "the right to progress payment at a value calculated by
reference" to the contract price, variation order or a reasonable cost of carrying remedial
work or dimunition of value. Reference to prescribed fees by relevant regulatory board
shall be made in the event there is no agreed or stipulated fees or price in the contract.
The frequency of progress payment is monthly for construction work or construction
consultancy services, and in cases of supply of construction materials, equipment or
workers, payment shall be upon delivery of such. The due date for payment is 30
calendar days from the receipt of the invoice.
This means that employers (not necessarily limited to developers / main contractors only,
and may include the sub-contractor who purchases material or rents equipment) can no
longer make reference to conditional payment terms in the contract or purchase order or
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work order to put off paying for work done or goods/materials, equipment or workers
supplied to delay making payment in Malaysia anymore. The impact of CIPAA 2012, I
believe, will be felt most within this scenario, which is likely to see suppliers or sub-sub
contractors bringing payment disputes to the adjudicator upon after the invoice becoming
due and unpaid.
However, work done outside the scope of the contract, i.e quantum meruit, is not
expected to be covered by this Act, unless a variation order in writing can be proved.
So ready or not Malaysia, this Act will come into force upon execution by the Minister of
Works.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2012

Can The Main Contractor Impose Liquidated Damages Fixed Under The
Main Contract On A Subcontractor Who Finishes Late?
Presumption : Subcontractor has contractual obligation to finish within a timescale and is
in breach of the obligation if he completes late.
Where a subcontractor is in breach he will have a liability to pay damages to the main
contractor.
The injured party is entitled to recover any loss likely to arise in the usual course of things
from the breach, plus such other loss as was in the contemplation of the parties at the
time the contract was made and which is likely to result from the breach.
The main contractor, as injured party, is entitled to levy a claim for damages against a
subcontractor who completes late. These damages will include any liability the main
contractor has to pay liquidated damages to the employer which result from the delay.
This will apply irrespective of the value of the subcontract work.
It is open to the subcontractor to argue, if the main contract liquidated damages are
extremely high, that the sum involved was outside his contemplation at the time the
contract was entered into. To forestall this type of argument main contractors, usually
with the tender enquiry documents will set out details of the main contract (including the
sum included for liquidated damages).
Where the subcontractor is nominated and the main contract provides for an extension of
time where work is delayed by the subcontractor no claim from the employer for
liquidated damages will arise provided that the contractor has properly claimed the
extension of time.
Relevant cases:
1. Hadley v. Baxendale (1854)
2. Victoria Laundry (Windsor) Ltd v. Newman Industries (1949)
3. M.J. Gleeson plc v. taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd (1989)
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Basics of Construction Contracts In Malaysia


Construction projects typically involve several different parties owners, designers, prime
contractors, subcontractors, architects, consultants, suppliers with different interests. Due to the
many variables, construction projects have its associated risks. Therefore, the purpose of the
construction contract is to:
(1) allocate the duties between the parties;
(2) recognize and allocate the risk to the different parties; and

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(3) reduce the uncertainty surrounding the project and allow the parties to plan for the project and
the future as best as possible.
In Malaysia, the introduction of Construction Industry Payment & Adjudication Act 2012 ("CIPAA
2012") is envisioned to regulate payment disputes which currently afflicts the construction industry.
The scope of CIPAA 2012 is expected to include the oil & gas industry, petrochemical,
telecommunication, utilities, infrastructure supply contracts, project and management, in addition to
typical building construction projects.
Construction work must be carried out wholly or partly in Malaysia, and any payment dispute arising
from a written contract may be referred to an adjudicator registered with the KL Regional Centre for
Arbitration. The approach of such process is "PAY NOW, ARGUE LATER".

Is a verbal agreement enforceable?


Construction contracts may be verbal. However, it is recommended that construction contracts be
in writing in order to bring any payment dispute to be adjudicated within the ambit of CIPAA 2012. A
written contract presents a clear record of the parties agreement, whereas and oral agreement is
subject to the parties recollection of the terms.
When entering into a written contract, the parties should make certain that the writing accurately
reflects the agreement between the parties. The parole evidence rule may prohibit evidence of
contract terms differing from those in the written agreement. The integration clause of a contract
also prohibits evidence of other terms or negotiations.
It must be emphasized that CIPAA 2012 only recognizes written contracts and not verbal or oral
contracts, to be adjudicated by a Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre of Arbitration (KLRCA) certified
adjudicator.

Stipulated value or lump sum contracts?


This is the typical contract with a negotiated lump sum price. This type of contract is preferred by
owners for the following reasons:

owners can utilize a competitive bidding process

all risks are placed on the general contractor

the general contractor must control costs and perform efficiently

Before entering into this type of contract, the owner must have detailed plans and specifications for
the project, and the general contractor must have clear and specific instructions and scope of work.

What is a cost plus contracts with a management fee?


A cost plus contract is often used in the absence of detailed plans and specifications. The general
contractor is paid for all costs incurred. The general contractor is also normally paid a fee for
overhead and profit, plus a fee for general conditions. The owner assumes all risks of excessive
costs. Frequently, an incentive provision is used to encourage cost savings by the general
contractor.

What is a GMP?
Similar to a cost-plus contract, but with some protection for the owner, utilizing a GMP (guaranteed
maximum price) as a cap for project. The GMP is typically adjusted with each change order, just
as a lump sum contract price is adjusted. This type of contract is amenable to the design build
situation, where the general contractor also serves as a designer. The GMP is arrived at after the
project has been completed to the design development stage.

What are the contract documents?


In most contracts, the contract documents are "incorporated by reference." Contract documents
usually include plans and specifications, the prime contract between the owner and all prime

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contractors, including the general contractor, addenda, building codes and regulations, and
modifications to the plans and specifications after execution of the contract.
It is important for a contractor to review all contract documents incorporated by reference, as the
terms of those documents may be binding on the contractor. For instance, if a prime contract
(between the owner and a general contractor) contains an arbitration provisions, courts will typically
enforce the arbitration requirement against a subcontractor in contract with the general contractor. It
is not necessary, however, that contracts provide for adjudication before payment disputes are
brought for adjudication within CIPAA 2012.
On a smaller scale, a written contract may be referenced within documents used in the supply of goods and/or services,
such as work order, purchase order, invoice, delivery order, etc.

What is the scope of work?


Disputes regarding scope of work are often the basis of construction claims. Scope of work is
defined as the extent of a contractor's responsibility to perform certain contract work. To determine
the scope of work, the contractor may have to look to other contract documents plans and
specifications, contracts with others and to industry standards (building codes, etc.)
The scope of work issues between the owner and the general contractor differ from the scope of
work issues between the general contractor and subcontractors. The general contractor must be
sure that all of the scope of work is contracted to subcontractors, and that there are no overlapping
scope of work issues.
Questions regarding scope of work should be resolved in the written contract. Scope of work
references should be detailed in the contract. If detailed specifications are available, refer to the
specifications in designating scope of work.
It must be pointed out that the scope of CIPAA 2012 is limited to payment disputes.

What is the contract sum?


The price in the contract will either be lump sum, unit price, or time and material. The contract
should include a definite price, or a definite method of determining price. Absent price, an otherwise
valid contract will be interpreted as requiring payment of a fair value (quantum meruit).

What are the methods for payment of the contract sum?


Progress payments are periodic payments constituting partial payment of the contract sum. The
contract should include a specific provision for time and method of payment and calculation of
amount.
A schedule of values should be prepared by the contractor and approved by the owner and
architect. The schedule should accurately break down the scope of work into component parts, and
assign a value to each component part.
Applications for payment should be measured against the schedule of values. The application
typically includes the amount of work in place, the cost of materials stored on site, the costs of
labor to date, less an amount for retainage and previous payments. The application is usually
certified by the architect or owner and the payment is due thereafter.
It must be noted that CIPAA 2012 prohibits conditional payment terms such as "Pay When Paid",
"Back to Back" or " Pay If Paid".

Pay when paid, or pay if paid provisions


One of the greatest concerns and risks on a construction project is payment by the owner, or main
contractor or employer. Once the contract work has been fully performed, everyone wants to be,
and should be, fully paid. One of the risks of nonpayment is the owner's or main contractor's or
employer's potential inability to pay. Throughout the work chain of contractors, sub contractors,
sub-sub contractors and suppliers there is a need to agree on who bears the risk of nonpayment
the general contractor or the subcontractor, etc
Contractors routinely try to shift the burden of nonpayment to subcontractors. "Pay when paid" and
"pay if paid" and "pay upon financial drawdown" provisions are popular and widely used. Such
conditional payment terms only serve to delay the time for payment to the subcontractor even in
situations where the contracted work has been completed and complied with.

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Typical pay when paid clauses provide something like:


"The total price paid to [subcontractor] shall be [contract price], no part of which shall be paid until 5
days after payment is received from owner."
or
". . . the Contractor shall pay the Subcontractor each progress payment and final payment . . .
within three working days after he receives payment from the Owner . . . ."
In Thos. J. Dyer v. Bishop International Engineering Co., the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
refused to enforce a pay when paid clause. In Dyer, a general contractor was not paid on a project
after the owner declared bankruptcy. The general contractor, in turn, did not pay its subcontractor
for the work it performed.
The introduction of CIPAA 2012 deems that such conditional payment are void and unenforceable.
This, I believe, is where the impact of CIPAA 2012 will be keenly felt by players in the construction
industry in Malaysia.

Typical schedule provisions


The schedule for completion of the contract work is an essential component of the contract, and a
frequent focus of construction litigation. In a perfect world, the contract will incorporate a detailed
computer generated completion schedule, with milestone dates for the essential tasks, and the
schedule will be updated periodically to reflect changes in the schedule to reflect changes and
progress.
At a minimum, the prime contracts should include a date of commencement of the work,
a project duration (the time that the prime contractor agrees to reach substantial completion of its
scope of work), and a definition of substantial completion.
The date of commencement is subject to change, based on several factors. The most common
factors affecting the date of commencement influenced by the owner are owner funding, the delivery
of final plans and specifications, the availability of the building permit. Changes in the date of
commencement change the date of substantial completion.
The project duration is measure either in calendar days or working days, and is based on the
number of days that the parties predict it will need to complete the project. Project duration is
subject to lengthen based on several factors: changes directed by the owner, unforseen conditions,
force majeure, weather, contractor issues.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Natural Justice As The Basis To Set Aside An Adjudication Decision Section 15 (b) Construction Industry Payment & Adjudication Act 2012 of
Malaysia

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When can an adjudication decision be set aside?


Section 15 Construction Industry Payment & Adjudication Act 2012 of Malaysia("CIPAA
2012") provides that:"An aggrieved party may apply to the High Court to set aside an adjudication decision on
one or more of the following grounds:
(a) The adjudication decision was improperly procured through fraud or bribery;
(b) there has been a denial of natural justice;
(c) the adjudicator has not acted independently or impartially; or
(d) the adjudicator has acted in excess of his jurisdiction."
This post seeks to explore the concept of natural justice.

What Is Natural Justice?


It is a term that denotes specific procedural rights in the English legal system. There are
two rules that natural justice is concerned with - the rule against bias and the right to a fair
hearing.
1. Rule Against Bias
This basic concept of impartiality where a person is barred from deciding any case in
which he may be, or suspected to be biased, applies to courts of law, tribunals,
arbitrators and all those having the duty to act judicially, including adjudicators.
Bias may be actual, imputed or apparent. Actual bias is established where it is actually
established that a decision-maker was prejudiced in favour of or against a party, which is
in practice, very hard to prove.
One form of imputed bias is biased on the decision-maker being a party to a suit, or
having a pecuniary or proprietary interest in the outcome of the decision. Once this fact
has been established, the bias is irrebuttable and disqualification is automatic - the
decision-maker will be barred from adjudicating the matter without the need for any
investigation into the likelihood or suspicion of bias.
In certain limited situations, bias can also be imputed when the decision-maker's interest
in the decision is not pecuniary but personal.
Apparent bias is present where a judge or other decision-maker is not party to a matter
and does not have an interest in its outcome, but through his conduct or behaviour gives
rise to a suspicion that he is not impartial.
Exceptions to the rule against bias includes Necessity and Waiver.
Necessity is where a disqualified adjudicator cannot be replaced. as no one else is
authorized to act. Waiver of the right to object, and proceedings are allowed to continue if
no objection is raised as soon as the prejudiced party has knowledge of the bias.
The effect of a finding of bias - judgment not void but voidable. This advice is not wrong in
the context of a judicial act under review, where the judgment will be held valid unless
reversed on appeal.
2. Right To A Fair Hearing (Audi Alteram Partem)
The aspects of a fair hearing includes:
i. Prior notice of hearing - the right to adequate notification of the date, time, place of the
hearing as well as detailed notification of the case to be met.
ii. Opportunity to be heard - the right to have a hearing and be allowed to present his own
case. However, this requirement does not necessarily mean the decision-maker has to
meet the complainant face to face.
iii. Conduct of the hearing - the adjudicator has to ask whether the person charged has a
proper opportunity to consider, challenge or contradict any evidence, and whether the
person is also fullly aware of the nature of the allegations against him.
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iv. Right to legal representation

Summary of Cases
1. Costain Ltd v. Strathclyde Builders Ltd [2003]
The adjudicator issued a decision that the defender should repay the full amount withheld
as liquidated and ascertained damages. The pursuer now raised proceedings to recover
the sums found due by the adjudicator by means of court proceedings via a motion for
summary decree. The only defence advanced was that the adjudicator's decision is
vitiated by a breach of the principles of natural justice, due to the fact that the
adjudicator had requested for to grant an extension of four days as he wished to "discuss
one point in particular with [his] appointed legal adviser". The result of the discussions
with the legal adviser was not made known to the parties, nor was either party told of the
terms of the discussions that had taken place, or to see their result. Neither party was
invited by the adjudicator to comment or make submissions upon the advice tendered,
and neither party requested any opportunity to do so.
Held :
1. It is important that confidence in the adjudication process should be maintained. For
such confidence to be maintained, it is important that adjudicators should be clearly seen
to give parties a fair opportunity to present their arguments by fulfilling the principle of audi
alteram partem.
2. The mere possibility of injustice is sufficient for a challenge to an adjudicator's decision
for the reasons set out in para 1. above. The parties do not know the content of the legal
advice obtained by the adjudicator. It could have been crucial. Indeed, because the
adjudicator asked for advice on a particular matter, it is reasonable inference that he
thought that it was important. I do not think that the possibility of injustice can be excluded.
3. I conclude that the defender has stated a relevant defence to the pursuer's claim to
enforce the adjudicator's decision. It follows that the pursuer has not satisfied the test for
summary decree, namely that the question of law that arises as to the relevancy of the
defender's averments admits of a clear and obvious answer in the pursuer's favour.
Pursuer's motion for summary decree is refused.

2. Discain Project Services Ltd v Opecprime Development Ltd [2001]


If an adjudicator's decision was to be challenged on account of a breach of the principles
of natural justice, the breach must be substantial and relevant.
3. Inland Revenue v Barrs [1961]
Lord Reid - this is at least clear : no tribunal, however informal, can be entitled to reach a
decision against any person without giving to him some proper opportunity to put forward
his case.
4. Barrs v British Wool Marketing Board [1957]
This is a case involving a statutory tribunal that determined the valuation of wool.
Lord President Clyde - "Although quasi-judicial bodies such as this tribunal are not Courts
of law in the full sense, it has been the law of Scotland that they must conform to certain
standards of fair play, and their failure to do so entitles a Court of law to reduce their
decisions. Were it not so, such tribunals would soon fall into public disrepute, and
confidence in them would evaporate. Fair and equal opportunity afforded to all interests
before the tribunal is the fundamental basis upon which the tribunal must operate, and, in
the absence of such fair play to all, it is right and proper that a Court of law should reduce
the tribunal's decision...
The test is not 'Has an unjust result been reached?' But 'Was there an opportunity
afforded for injustice to be done?' If there was such an opportunity, the decision cannot
stand".
5. Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd v London Borough of Lambeth [2002]
It was accepted that the principles of natural justice were applicable to adjudication
proceedings. It was further accepted that if an adjudicator obtains material from sources
other than the parties, including his own knowledge and experience, he must give the
parties a reasonable opportunity to comment on that material.
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6. RSL (South West) Ltd v Stansell Ltd [2003]


In this case, the adjudicator had indicated to the parties' representatives that he wanted to
obtain assistance on programming issues from a specialist in that area. The plaintiff's
representative agreed without qualification, but the defendant;s representative agreed
subject to a request that he be allowed to see any report prepared by the specialist and
that he be given reasonable time to comment upon any such report.
It was held that it is elementary that the rules of natural justice require that a party to a
dispute resolution procedure should know what is the case against him and should have
an opportunity to meet it... It is essential, in my judgment, for an adjudicator, if he is to
observe the rules of natural justice, to give the parties to the adjudication the chance to
comment upon any material, from whatever source, including the knowledge or
experience of the adjudicator is minded to attribute significance in reaching his decision."

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