From Westminster to Wan Chai: NEC and avoiding adjudication

Join Atkin Chambers barristers Edmund Neuberger and Caroline Greenfield as they examine how the NEC Target Cost options are intended to operate in practice. The seminar will address common practical issues—such as unapproved programmes and the retrospective assessment of Compensation Events—how the English courts have approached those issues, how parties can avoid adjudication under NEC, and the potential pitfalls of adjudication. Drawing from experiences in UK case law, the session will discuss proactive strategies to prevent disputes from escalating to adjudication and will also provide practical guidance on building and managing an effective adjudication team.

Edmund Neuberger is a specialist construction law barrister with a practice focused on complex, high‑value disputes arising from major building and infrastructure projects. Edmund is listed as a recommended practitioner in the leading legal directories (Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, Lexology, Doyle’s Guide). He acts in domestic litigation (including the Court of Appeal) and international arbitration and sits as an adjudicator. His background in engineering underpins his work on technically complex disputes, including major infrastructure projects in Asia and the Middle East.

Caroline Greenfield is a construction law barrister with expertise in complex disputes arising from major construction and infrastructure projects. Her practice includes cases concerning delay and disruption, defects, variations, quantum, and professional liability. She is experienced in a wide range of standard form contracts (such as the NEC, JCT and FIDIC) and is valued for her clear analysis and commercial insight. Caroline holds a First‑Class law degree from the University of Oxford and a Distinction in the Bar Professional Training Course. She previously lived and worked in China, and has conversational Mandarin.