Adjudicated amount (Security of Payment)
The adjudicated amount is what a Security of Payment adjudicator determines is payable, enforceable as a judgment; the respondent must pay it first and argue later.
Ask Chalkline about this →The adjudicated amount is the sum a Security of Payment adjudicator determines is payable on a disputed payment claim. It is enforceable as a judgment debt, and the respondent must pay it first, even if it later pursues the underlying dispute in court. This is the “pay now, argue later” principle at the heart of Security of Payment.
When a claim goes to adjudication, the adjudicator decides how much is actually payable, the adjudicated amount, along with the due date for it and any interest. Once determined, the claimant can obtain an adjudication certificate and file it in court as a judgment if it is not paid.
The crucial feature is that adjudication is an interim determination. It keeps cash flowing now, but it does not finally resolve the parties’ contractual rights. Either party can later litigate or arbitrate the true entitlement, and money can be adjusted then if the final result differs.
For a builder, “pay now, argue later” cuts both ways:
- As a claimant, an adjudicated amount is a fast, enforceable result. You get paid without waiting for a final court outcome.
- As a respondent, you must pay the adjudicated amount even if you believe it is wrong, then chase any overpayment back through the contract later.
The practical lesson is never to ignore an adjudication. The determination is binding on an interim basis and directly enforceable, so a respondent who sits on it can quickly find a judgment registered against them.
Also known as: Adjudication determination amount.
Category: Contracts / Security of Payment.
Related
See also
References
- Adjudication process (Chalkline) (verified 2026-06-01)
Last updated: 2026-06-01. Verified: 2026-06-01. Quarterly review for currency.