Construction Law Practice — Malaysia

Contracts, Payment & Construction Disputes

Waja Law works with contractors, developers, and consultants across Malaysia on construction contract matters — from PAM/CIDB/FIDIC review to CIPAA adjudication and High Court proceedings.

Request a Consultation View Services

+60 3 8312 6587

[email protected]

Cyberjaya, Selangor

Practice Areas

Three areas of construction law practice

Service 01

Construction Contract Review

PAM 2018, CIDB, PWD 203, FIDIC Red/Yellow/Silver — reviewed clause by clause with commentary on EOT entitlement, LAD provisions, payment architecture and dispute pathways.

Marked-up contract with clause-keyed notes
EOT and LAD risk identification
Variation and payment mechanism review
Sub-contract alignment check

From RM 780 Enquire

Service 02

CIPAA Adjudication Representation

Representation for claimants or respondents in CIPAA 2012 proceedings. We draft or respond to payment claims, prepare full written submissions, and advise on the boundaries of the adjudicator's decision.

Payment claim and response drafting
Full written submissions to adjudicator
AIAC appointment liaison
Jurisdiction submissions if required

From RM 2,500 Enquire

Service 03

Arbitration & High Court Disputes

Full representation in AIAC arbitration or the Construction Court — covering final account disputes, delay claims, defects, termination and professional negligence. Expert witness coordination included.

Merits analysis and forum advice
Statement of claim and defence
Delay and quantum expert coordination
Award enforcement or setting-aside

From RM 3,850 Enquire

Why Waja Law

A practice organised around how construction disputes actually work

Construction-Specific Focus

The practice concentrates on construction and engineering matters. Clients do not share attention with unrelated practice areas.

CIPAA Statutory Deadlines

CIPAA operates on tight timelines. We engage promptly so that statutory rights — including the right to refer — are not inadvertently lost.

Document-Led Method

We work from contracts, correspondence and site records rather than oral reconstructions — reducing the scope for disagreement about what was agreed.

Calibrated Advice

Where a claim has weaknesses, we say so. Clear advice at the start helps clients decide whether to pursue, negotiate, or accept a position.

Plain Engagement Terms

Fee structures are discussed before work begins. There are no hidden billing surprises — just a written engagement letter that describes exactly what is covered.

Forum Guidance

Adjudication, arbitration, and court each have different cost, time and enforceability profiles. We help clients choose the appropriate route before committing to it.

Ready to discuss your matter?

Send your contract or claim documents for an initial review

We will read your documents first and advise on realistic options — before you commit to a course of action.

Get in Touch +60 3 8312 6587

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is CIPAA and who can use it?

The Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act 2012 (CIPAA) is a Malaysian statute that gives parties to a construction contract a right to refer unpaid payment disputes to a statutory adjudicator. It applies to most written construction contracts in Malaysia. The process is designed to be faster than arbitration or court — typically concluding within 2–3 months — and the adjudicator's decision is temporarily binding until revised in arbitration or court.

Can a respondent challenge a CIPAA payment claim?

Yes. A respondent has the right to serve a Payment Response disputing all or part of the claim. If the claimant proceeds to adjudication, the respondent then submits a written Adjudication Response with its evidence and arguments. There are also avenues to raise jurisdictional objections — for example, if the contract falls outside CIPAA's scope or if the payment claim does not comply with statutory requirements.

When should I get a construction contract reviewed?

Before signing is the most useful time — when there is still scope to negotiate changes. That said, a review remains worthwhile after execution: understanding exactly what a contract requires helps parties administer it properly and build a contemporaneous record that supports any later claim or defence.

What does a contract review cover and what does it produce?

The review covers time-related clauses (extension of time, LAD), the payment regime, variation procedures, sub-contract provisions, insurance and indemnity allocation, and the dispute escalation pathway. The output is a marked-up copy of the contract with a commentary document keyed to specific clause numbers — designed to inform your team's commercial discussions.

Is arbitration faster than going to the High Court?

Not always in practice, though arbitration proceedings can be scheduled more flexibly than court hearing dates. The more relevant considerations are often confidentiality (arbitration proceedings are private), the parties' choice of arbitrator with relevant technical knowledge, and the enforceability of the resulting award in other jurisdictions under the New York Convention.

What information should I bring to the first consultation?

The contract itself is the starting point. For payment matters, bring payment certificates, progress claims, and any correspondence disputing the amount. For delay matters, bring the construction programme, site instructions, and any delay notices. The more documentation available at the start, the more useful the initial advice can be.

Our Location

Visit Us in Cyberjaya

Suite 2-2, Tamarind Square, Persiaran Multimedia, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor

Contact

Get in touch with Waja Law

Contact Details

Phone