SOPA Adjudication - recovering unpaid progress claims

Have you received a payment response that shortchanges you, or no payment response at all?
Under Singapore's Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act (SOPA), you have a statutory right to lodge an adjudication application. A qualified adjudicator will review the claim and issue a binding determination — typically within 7 weeks of lodging the application. This is the fastest legal route to recovering construction payments in Singapore.
"SOPA deadlines are strict. If you miss the window to lodge your adjudication application, you forfeit the right to adjudicate that payment claim. Do not wait.
 
What we do for you:
  • Review your construction contract and advise whether SOPA applies to your situation
  • Advise you on your SOPA deadlines — payment response due dates and adjudication application windows
  • Prepare or review your payment claim to maximise its strength
  • Prepare your adjudication application or adjudication response
  • Represent you before the adjudicator
  • Enforce the adjudication determination if the respondent refuses to pay
  • Advise and act on applications to set aside or stay enforcement of a determination
 
Our director is a SMC Senior Adjudicator and has handled SOPA matters from both sides — as counsel and as adjudicator. That dual perspective gives our clients a material advantage.

Construction claims and disputes - arbitration, court and mediation

Not every construction dispute can be resolved through SOPA. Some are too complex, involve parties outside SOPA's scope, or arise after the adjudication window has passed. For these situations, we handle disputes through arbitration, litigation in court, and mediation.

Construction disputes we handle:
  • Unpaid progress claims and final account disputes
  • Variation and additional works claims
  • Extension of time and delay claims
  • Liquidated damages and penalties
  • Termination of contracts — wrongful termination and repudiation claims
  • Defective workmanship and design defects
  • Performance bond calls — resisting and enforcing
  • Claims against engineers, architects and other consultants
  • APAC cross-border construction disputes
 
Our director has over 30 years of experience in construction disputes and has been involved in several landmark Singapore High Court and Court of Appeal judgments in construction law.


Contract advisory  -  before and during your project


Most construction disputes are rooted in poorly understood or poorly drafted contracts. We work with contractors, sub-contractors and owners to identify and manage legal risk from the moment a contract is being negotiated.

What we do: 
  • Contract review and risk identification before you sign — identifying onerous clauses, ambiguous terms and missing protections.
  • Advice on your rights and obligations while projects are in progress — including suspension, delay events, variation procedures and termination triggers.
  • Advice on notices and contractual procedures — ensuring you preserve your legal rights at every stage.
  • Drafting sub-contracts and bespoke contract templates for your business.
  • Reviewing and improving your standard conditions of contract.

Commercial Disputes

Beyond construction, we also handle commercial disputes for clients who need experienced litigation counsel. Our commercial practice includes:

  • Disputes under commercial contracts -  sale of goods, shareholders agreements,  joint venture agreements.
  • Claims for breaches of Director's duties.
  • Claims in tort for construction and design defects. 
  • Tenancy disputes .
  • Claims between members of unincorporated associations and partnerships.    
 

Not sure which service applies to your situation?

Call us or book consultation. We will listen to your situation and tell you plainly what your options are and how we can help - with no obligation.

T: (65) 6732 2090            I                E: [email protected]     

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