Construction minister Brian Wilson said this week that the government intends to put a stop to the practice under which the party that calls in an adjudicator must pay the other side's costs.
The announcement follows concerns from lawyers who note that those winning adjudications often pay more in legal costs than they are awarded.

Wilson, speaking at a meeting at the RIBA on Tuesday, said he had decided to introduce the change after a consultation exercise with the industry last year. He said time would be allocated in parliament to amend the act.

Wilson added that other minor changes could be incorporated through amendments to the guidance. He said: "It is right that the industry should continue to resolve disputes quickly and cheaply through expert adjudicators rather than the courts."