Publications

Jonathan Cope and Matthew Molloy bring decades of experience at the forefront of construction dispute resolution, combining their work as practising adjudicators with a longstanding commitment to sharing practical insight across the industry. Through their published work, they draw on their vast real-world experience to explore the cases, legislation and practical realities that continue to shape construction adjudication.

Reflections on Construction Adjudication

Reflections on Construction Adjudication brings together around 150 practical and engaging blogs written over the last 18 years, offering insights and observations from two of the UK's leading dispute resolvers. Rather than an academic textbook or conventional guide, the book offers an accessible, experience-led perspective and is organised thematically around key areas of adjudication law and practice - from the Construction Act and Scheme to procedure, jurisdiction, natural justice, enforcement and developments in Ireland.

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"Undoubtedly acting entirely within their jurisdiction, of which they are masters, Matt Molloy and Jonathan Cope have brilliantly curated a stimulating composition of their adjudication blogs. No case of significance is overlooked. No part of the Act is unexplored. Generous helpings of legal analysis and industry insight make for interesting reading throughout. Natural justice dictates that you should have a copy to hand.”

Alexander Nissen KC; Keating Chambers

“When the history of construction law is written one day, the chapter on the statutory adjudication process will contain honourable mention of two of its most respected dispute resolution exponents, Matthew Molloy and Jonathan Cope. Reflections on Construction Adjudication contains a remarkable collection of their views and insights in relation to the principal legislation and associated Scheme, the Practice and Procedure of Adjudication, Enforcement and Part 8, and a valuable section on adjudication in Ireland; 150 ‘mini-essays’, containing thinking developed over more than two decades, much of it very recent. There is analysis of many of the leading judicial decisions which combine to make up the law of adjudication and, equally importantly, assessment of their practical implications for those engaged in the adjudication process. The authors’ views are presented accessibly, and frequently engagingly, but never at the expense of credibility or rigour.”

Anthony Lavers, Gatehouse Chambers;
Visiting Professor of Law, King’s College London

“A copy of this book should be on every adjudication practitioner’s shelf. It should become both a ‘go-to’ reference for information on a specific topic and – because the authors’ sense of humour shines through, making the text very engaging – a book to read during occasional quiet moments. The Construction Act has been an undoubted success for the industry, and Reflections on Construction Adjudication covers the legislation itself, practice and procedure in adjudication, enforcement and Irish adjudication across four easily navigated parts. The book delivers informative commentary from experienced practitioners reviewing published judgements with a refreshing approach. In my view the practice and procedure section is the mainstay of the book. The guidance provided in the thought-provoking articles encourages the reader to think about practical applications. This wealth of commentary on noteworthy adjudication judgements is a must read!”

Janey Milligan, Construction Dispute Resolution

‘Jonathan Cope and Matt Molloy have been at the centre of the most important revolution to happen in construction dispute resolution in the last thirty years: adjudication. In this book – a selection from their blogs of the last eighteen years – they lay out, in their clear and punchy style, their thoughts on a range of topics, covering adjudication practice, procedure and enforcement. Reflections on Construction Adjudication: The MCMS Blogs provides a fascinating practical analysis of the case law dealing with construction adjudication.”

Marion Smith KC, 39 Essex Chambers;
Honorary Professor of Law, Queen Mary University of London

“Far more than a collection of commentary, Reflections on Construction Adjudication captures, with rare immediacy, how statutory adjudication has evolved from a bold intervention into the indispensable machinery of construction dispute resolution. Drawing on Matthew Molloy and Jonathan Cope’s formidable experience as adjudicators, it moves deftly from the Construction Act and the payment regime through the practical conduct of references to jurisdiction, natural justice, enforcement and the developing Irish regime, testing doctrine against the untidy realities of projects and disputes. Incisive, candid, witty and refreshingly free of abstraction, this is a book practitioners will return to not simply to discover what the law is, but to understand how to make adjudication work.”

Simon Tolson, Fenwick Elliott

Adjudicating Construction and Engineering Disputes

This book provides a cradle to grave guide to the process of construction industry adjudication from the perspective of the adjudicator. It covers the whole process of adjudication, from the initial enquiry through case management, the conduct of the proceedings, the production of the Decision and post-Decision matters.

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“Adjudicating Construction and Engineering Disputes brings together the vast experience of two of the UK’s most prominent adjudicators.”

Julian Bailey, partner at Jones Day and author of Construction Law

“This book will become the definitive guide for adjudicators not only in the UK but in all jurisdictions that adopt this method of dispute resolution. We are lucky that Jonathan Cope and Matthew Molloy have shared their extraordinary expertise and insightful advice with us”

Professor Renato Nazzini PhD FCIArb, director of the Centre of Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, King’s College London

.... an accessible and fluent style, it is full of very useful and practical information gleaned from the authors’ many years of experience. Everyone will learn from this book. I highly recommend it.”

Victoria Russell LLB FCIArb FCIOB FFB, honorary president of the Adjudication Society

Matthew Molloy and Jonathan Cope have got the balance right, for practitioners and party representatives alike. They do not overwhelm with academic detail, but everything you need to know is there, clearly informed by the authors’ decades of real-world experience.”

Dr John Fletcher, executive director of the Dispute Resolution Service, RICS

.... provides a solid ‘cradle to grave’ practical guide to those who wish to practise or are already practising as adjudicators. Although primarily focused on adjudication practice in the UK, is also applicable internationally."

Robert Gemmell LLM, FRICS, FCIArb, Chartered Arbitrator

MCMS Blog

September 08, 2026
MCMS turns 30: Reflections on Construction Adjudication

by Jonathan Cope, Matthew Molloy

Cast your minds back 30 years to 1996. England hosted the Euros, Oasis played Knebworth, the Spice Girls released Wannabe, Dolly the sheep was born, DVDs first went on sale in Japan and, of course, the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 received Royal Assent, laying the statutory foundations for construction...

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August 26, 2026
Can you spot a condition precedent when you see one?

by Dr Debbie Scott

On 30th June, around 20 adjudicators from the RICS Presidential Panel gathered at 55 Colmore Row in Birmingham for Competency Workshop No2 titled “Maintaining and Controlling the Process”.  Janey Milligan started the day by discussing the adjudication process with plenty of useful discussion around timetabling, the subtle differences between the...

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August 11, 2026
AI in adjudication: a benefit or a burden?

by Jonathan Cope

I recently had the pleasure of being one of the trainers at the TECBAR Adjudication Training Day, organised by Mercy Milgo and chaired by Calum Lamont KC. Alongside, Mr Justice Constable, Alexander Nissen KC and Martin Bowdery KC, we covered “Adjudication from Cradle to (Almost) Grave” and, for...

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Articles

June 2025
CICES Annual Commercial Management Conference
Keynote Address - Improving Quality in Adjudication

by Matthew Molloy

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April 2023
International Dispute Resolution
Is there utility in dissenting opinions in international arbitration?

by Matthew Molloy

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March 2023
Society of Construction Law
Adjudication from the adjudicator’s perspective - handling jurisdiction issues

by Jonathan Cope

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