Cost of Adjudication
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proportionate and cost-effective
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fixed fee claim option for low-value and low-complexity disputes
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NZIAC appointments take into account the value of the dispute to ensure a proportionate approach
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NZIAC Registry staff undertake all administrative and support work, ensuring the adjudicator’s time is spent effectively and efficiently
Cost Overview
Low Value Claim Scheme
Giving parties with low value and low complexity disputes a proportionate and certain option.
General Claims
If your claim is not eligible for the low value claim scheme, it will proceed as a general claim.
Calculator
Use our helpful calculator to work out the cost or security sum for your dispute.
Next steps
Ready to proceed further? Get in touch with our helpful Registry team who will guide you throughout the process.
Low-Value Claim Scheme
We understand that the cost of dispute resolution processes, or uncertainty about those costs, prevents many people from getting started. This is particularly so where the amount in dispute is relatively small.
To alleviate that problem, NZIAC provides a fixed fee adjudication scheme for low-value claims of limited complexity. This scheme is aimed at providing you with certainty as to the cost of taking a dispute to adjudication so that you can make an informed decision as to whether to proceed.
This unique scheme ensures that the cost of having a low-value claim resolved by adjudication is not disproportionate to the amount in dispute.
Fees and Conditions
The applicable fees for the low-value claim (LVC) scheme are set out in the table below. Please ensure you read this section including the conditions of the Scheme before proceeding. The fee must be paid as security to NZIAC prior to an adjudicator being appointed.
Value of claim |
Fee (incl GST) |
Number of Issues |
Document limit for claim* |
|
| LVC5 | ≤ $4,999.99 | $1,500.00 | 3 | 15 pages |
| LVC10 | $5,000.00 ≤ $9,999.99 | $ 2,500.00 | 3 | 15 pages |
| LVC20 | $10,000.00 ≤ $19,999.99 | $ 3,750.00 | 3 | 20 pages |
| LVC30 | $20,000.00 ≤ $29,999.99 | $ 5,000.00 | 3 | 30 pages |
| LVC40 | $30,000.00 ≤ $39,999.99 | $ 6,250.00 | 3 | 40 pages |
| LVC50 | $40,000.00 ≤ $49,999.99 | $ 7,500.00 | 3 | 50 pages |
| LVC60 | $50,000.00 ≤ $59,999.99 | $ 8,750.00 | 3 | 60 pages |
| LVC80 | $60,000.00 ≤ $79,999.99 | $ 10,000.00 | 3 | 80 pages |
| LVC100 | $80,000.00 ≤ $99,999.99 | $ 12,000.00 | 3 | 100 pages |
| Conference, visit or inspection – if this is required an additional fee will be payable (plus any mileage or travel expenses). | $750.00 | |||
| Early withdrawal – if the claim is withdrawn prior to a determination being issued, the administrative fee will be payable plus a fee calculated on the basis of the time engaged by the adjudicator at their usual hourly rate. This early withdrawal fee is capped at the total fixed fee payable had the case proceeded to a determination. | $750.00 | |||
*Documents that the claimant may file in support of the claim are limited to the Notice of Adjudication, the Claim (submission), any contract or any other underlying legal document (eg a trust deed), and documentary evidence restricted to the number of pages as set out above.
Note:
In the event that a claim or response presents undue complexity or the evidence submitted in support of the claim exceeds the permitted limit, or the claim is consolidated with one or more other claims, NZDRC may, at its sole discretion, decline to provide the adjudication on a fixed fee basis under the LVC Scheme.
In that event, NZDRC will advise the parties and the adjudication will revert to a General Claim with the cost of the adjudication being determined by the time the adjudicator is engaged in the case, together with any additional expenses incurred.
General Claims
Claims involving amounts in dispute of $100,000 or greater (including GST), claims for declaratory relief, and claims under $100,000 that do not meet the criteria for low-value claims will proceed as General Claims.
For General Claims, the adjudication fee will be calculated based on the time engaged by the adjudicator at their usual hourly rate.
To proceed, the parties will be asked to pay a sum by way of security. This is a nominal amount calculated in proportion to the value of the dispute and is not an estimate of the cost of the adjudication.
Value of Claim |
Security Required (incl GST) |
| ≤ $24,999.99 | $6,000 |
| $25,000.00 ≤ $49,999.99 | $8,000 |
| $50,000.00 ≤ $99,999.99 | $10,000 |
| $100,000.00 ≤ $499,999.99 | $15,000 |
| $500,000.00 ≤ $999,999.99 | $17,500 |
| ≥ $1,000,000.00 | $20,000 |
| rights and obligations only (declaratory relief) | $10,000 |
| Early withdrawal – if the claim is withdrawn prior to a determination being issued, the administrative fee will be payable plus a fee calculated on the basis of the time engaged by the adjudicator at their usual hourly rate. | $750 |
In the event the adjudication fee proves to be less than the amount paid as security, NZIAC will refund the balance at the conclusion of the process. Conversely, if the adjudication fee proves to be more than the amount paid as security, NZIAC will request the balance of the fee to be paid prior to the determination being issued to the parties.
Next Steps
Start your Adjudication
To start the process, contact our helpful Registry team today.
Got questions?
It’s not uncommon to have a few questions, contact our team to get the help you need today.
Agreeing to Adjudicate
Get the right model clause in your contracts today or request a template Adjudication Agreement.