The Development Bureau (DEVB) today (October 14) announced that it has established a register of adjudicator nominating bodies in accordance with the Construction Industry Payment Security Ordinance (Cap. 652). The register has been published on the DEVB website (www.devb.gov.hk/en/construction_sector_matters/adjudicator-nominating-bodies/under-ordinance-cap-652/index.html). 

     A DEVB spokesman said, "The establishment of the register of adjudicator nominating bodies marks an important step in the implementation of the Ordinance, which allows contracting parties to appoint suitable adjudicators through nominating bodies to conduct adjudication for payment disputes. Applications for adjudicator nominating bodies have been opened since February 10 this year. The feedback from the industry was positive. With consideration of the establishment, recognition, financial resources and implementation capabilities of the applicants, we now announce that we have accepted the registration applications of five nominating bodies. These organisations are professional institutions or institutions specialising in handling contract disputes and are familiar with the operation of the construction industry."

     The five organisations registered as nominating bodies are Asian African Legal Consultative Organization - Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. 

     The Ordinance aims to improve the longstanding payment problems in the construction industry and provide better protection for the stakeholders in the supply chains of the construction industry to receive their entitled payments on time. The Ordinance improves contractual payment terms, prohibiting the use of unfair payment terms such as "pay when paid". It also introduces an adjudication mechanism to provide a speedy, cost-effective and binding resolution process for payment disputes in the interim. The Ordinance has come to full operation on August 28, 2025. Under the Ordinance, the claimant can initiate adjudication proceedings for a payment dispute, and the nominating body will appoint an adjudicator, as an independent third party, to determine a payment dispute. 

     Under the Ordinance, functions of a nominating body include establishing and maintaining a panel of adjudicators, formulating nomination procedures, appointing suitable adjudicators for payment disputes, setting appropriate adjudication rules for conducting adjudication proceedings, etc. To facilitate smooth implementation of the Ordinance, the DEVB will oversee the performance of the adjudicator nominating bodies to ensure that the operations of the adjudicator nominating bodies comply with the requirements of the Ordinance and relevant guidelines. 

     The DEVB welcomes other eligible organisations to apply for the adjudicator nominating bodies. Please refer to the DEVB website for the application details and relevant information: 
(www.devb.gov.hk/en/construction_sector_matters/adjudicator-nominating-bodies/under-ordinance-cap-652/application/index.html).

Ends/Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:57

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