Construction Disputes
Expert construction dispute resolution in Hong Kong. Building contract claims, defective works, delay disputes, adjudication, and arbitration under HKIA and FIDIC.
Overview
Construction projects in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific involve substantial investment, complex contractual arrangements, and multiple parties with competing interests. Disputes frequently arise from defective works, project delays, cost overruns, payment failures, and professional negligence by design consultants. These disputes require legal advisors who understand both the law and the practical realities of the construction industry.
Robert Lee Law Offices provides comprehensive construction dispute resolution services, advising employers, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals on the full range of construction-related claims. Our team has extensive experience with standard form contracts including HKIA, FIDIC, and government forms of contract, and is well-versed in the technical and contractual issues that underpin construction disputes.
With over 37 years of experience and four offices serving the Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific markets, we offer a multilingual team capable of handling disputes arising from projects of all scales. Whether pursuing or defending claims through adjudication, arbitration, or court proceedings, we combine legal rigour with commercial awareness to achieve practical outcomes for our clients.
Our Construction Disputes Services
Building Contract Disputes
- Breach of contract claims under standard form and bespoke contracts
- Interpretation and application of HKIA, FIDIC, and government contract terms
- Variation and change order disputes
- Scope of works and specification disagreements
- Termination and repudiation of building contracts
- Performance bond and guarantee disputes
- Retention and final account claims
- Subcontract and supply chain disputes
Defective Works Claims
- Latent and patent defect claims against contractors
- Defects liability period disputes and rectification
- Expert evidence on building defects and remedial scope
- Water ingress, structural, and fire safety defect claims
- Quantification of remedial works and diminution in value
- Claims against developers for residential and commercial defects
- Multi-party defect claims involving contractors and consultants
- Warranty and collateral warranty enforcement
Delay & Disruption Claims
- Extension of time claims and assessment
- Liquidated damages defence and recovery
- Delay analysis using recognised methodologies
- Prolongation cost claims and head office overheads
- Acceleration and constructive acceleration claims
- Concurrent delay issues and apportionment
- Disruption and loss of productivity claims
- Programme analysis and critical path disputes
Professional Negligence
- Claims against architects and design consultants
- Engineering negligence in structural and building services design
- Quantity surveyor negligence in cost management
- Project manager negligence and failure to administer contracts
- Surveyor negligence in condition reports and valuations
- Expert determination of standard of care
- Limitation and time-bar issues in professional claims
- Professional indemnity insurance coverage disputes
Payment Disputes & Adjudication
- Interim and final payment certificate disputes
- Pay-when-paid and pay-if-paid clause challenges
- Set-off and counterclaim in payment disputes
- Statutory adjudication under Hong Kong legislation
- Adjudicator appointment and procedural compliance
- Enforcement of adjudication decisions
- Judicial review of adjudication outcomes
- Back-to-back payment claims through the contract chain
Arbitration & Insurance Claims
- Construction arbitration under HKIAC and ad hoc rules
- FIDIC dispute adjudication board proceedings
- Mediation of construction disputes
- Contractor all risks and project insurance claims
- Third-party liability and public liability claims
- Professional indemnity insurance disputes
- Subrogated recovery claims for insurers
- Preparation and presentation of loss adjustor claims
