Construction LawLawyer referralAdjudication, arbitration and mediation
Construction mediation
Preparing for and attending a mediation of a construction dispute with a neutral mediator.
Construction adjudication is designed to be quick: an adjudicator usually decides within 30 days of receiving the documents, so preparation starts at once. Ontario Done by an Ontario lawyer, by referral
What is included
Advises whether adjudication, arbitration or mediation fits the dispute
Prepares the notice and documents, or the response
Presents the case to the adjudicator, arbitrator or mediator
Advises on enforcing or challenging the decision or award
What is not included
Reports from engineers, schedulers or quantity surveyors, and other disbursements
Court, adjudication or arbitration filing fees
Appeals unless added to the retainer
Project management or site inspections
Who this service is for
Contractors and subcontractors with unpaid amounts
Owners responding to an adjudication
Parties whose contract calls for arbitration or mediation
Information to have ready
1The contract and any dispute resolution clause
2Invoices and payment records
3Documents and correspondence about the dispute
4Any notice of adjudication received
How a referral works
1Tell us in a few words what the matter is about, and who else is involved, so we can check for a conflict of interest.
2We recommend an Ontario lawyer for your matter, and at least one other you could choose instead.
3The lawyer runs their own conflict check, confirms the scope and quotes the fee, normally in a written retainer agreement.
4You pay the lawyer's fee to the lawyer. Any referral fee comes out of it, is disclosed to you in writing, and never increases what you pay.
A typical Ontario fee for this service is $2,500–$7,000, plus HST. The lawyer quotes the actual fee before any work starts. You pay the lawyer directly; the referral itself costs you nothing.
Is an adjudicator's decision final?+
It is binding and usually must be paid, but the dispute can still be decided finally in court or arbitration later. There are also limited grounds to set a determination aside.
Can I use adjudication if the project is finished?+
Possibly. Changes in force since January 1, 2026 allow adjudication for a limited time after a contract is completed in many cases, but which rules apply depends on your contract, so check with the lawyer as early as possible.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
No outcome can be guaranteed
Statutory and contract deadlines keep running during a referral
The lawyer confirms the scope, fee and steps in a written retainer before starting