The new Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act
("PPCLA") as set out in the Builders' Lien (Prompt
Payment) Amendment Act scheduled to take effect August 29, 2022,
has introduced a plethora of changes to builders' lien
legislation in Alberta. One of the practices introduced and
completely new to Alberta is adjudication.
The PPCLA outlines who will administer the adjudication
system, the qualifications to become an adjudicator, and the basic
procedure for adjudication. This article will focus on what issues
can be determined using the adjudication process.
In addition to the PPCLA, the Prompt Payment and
Adjudication Regulation (the
"Regulation") provides guidance with respect to
the adjudication process. Pursuant to section 19 of the
Regulation, any dispute with respect to the following
matters may be referred to adjudication: