Styles Wood Ltd v GE CIF Trustees [2020] EWHC 2694 (TCC)

Riaz Hussain QC was successful in the enforcement of an adjudicator’s decision for a party in liquidation.

Styles & Wood Limited (in administration) successfully enforced an adjudication decision using the principles laid down in the recent Supreme Court decision in Bresco Electrical Services Limited (in liquidation) v Michael J Lonsdale (Electrical) Ltd [2020] UKSC.

The original adjudication was commenced by Styles & Wood in relation to the final account for a substantial project at St Ann’s Square in Manchester. GECIF had refused to comply with the Adjudicator’s decision on the ground of futility and sought a stay of execution. Styles & Wood bought enforcement proceedings which sought to satisfy the conditions of enforcement as laid down in Meadowside Building Developments Ltd (in liquidation) v 12 -18 Hill Street Management Co Ltd [2019] EWHC 2651 (TCC). The Court accepted the type and level of security offered and gave judgment in favour of Styles & Wood.

This is one of the first cases post Bresco where an insolvent party has been successful in enforcing an adjudicator’s award in the Courts. See also John Doyle Construction Ltd v Erith Contractors Ltd [2020] EWHC 2451 (TCC) in which Riaz Hussian QC also acted.

Riaz Hussain QC (instructed by Myerson Solicitors) for the claimant.

To read the judgment in full click here.