The real estate and construction sector in India is one of the fastest-growing industries, but it is also one of the most dispute-prone. Delays in possession, payment disputes, contractor disagreements, quality issues, and non-compliance with project timelines often lead to conflicts between builders, contractors, homebuyers, and investors.
Traditional litigation in such matters can take years — causing huge financial losses and project delays. This is where Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) becomes a game-changer.
ADR offers faster, more efficient, and cost-effective ways to resolve real estate and construction disputes without getting stuck in lengthy court battles.
Construction and real estate disputes are time-sensitive.
Through arbitration and mediation, most disputes can be resolved within months, not years — helping projects move forward without long legal interruptions.
ADR avoids prolonged litigation costs, legal fees, and court expenses.
Builders, contractors, vendors, and buyers can all save money while still getting legally enforceable outcomes.
In construction arbitration, parties can appoint industry experts — engineers, architects, project managers — as arbitrators.
This ensures faster understanding and more accurate decisions for technical disputes.
Unlike court cases, ADR proceedings are private.
This protects the reputation of real estate companies and contractors, and helps maintain business relationships even after the dispute is settled.
ADR allows flexible procedures and encourages negotiated settlements, which help preserve long-term partnerships among stakeholders (builder–contractor, developer–supplier, buyer–builder).
Delay in project completion
Quality or material defects
Contract interpretation issues
Payment disputes between builder & contractors
Disagreements over design changes
Land acquisition or title-related disputes
NRI real estate disputes
Refund & possession-related issues for homebuyers
Joint venture and partnership disputes in construction
Arbitration is the most preferred method in construction matters.
Contracts typically include an arbitration clause, allowing parties to refer disputes to an arbitrator whose decision is legally binding.
Mediation encourages dialogue and negotiated settlement, especially helpful in buyer–builder and contractor disputes.
These methods offer even more flexibility and allow parties to settle differences without a formal structure.
Faster enforcement of rights
Reduced project delays
Less adversarial than litigation
Customizable procedure
Allows business continuity
Enforceable awards under the Arbitration & Conciliation Act
Real estate and construction disputes demand quick, practical, and technically sound solutions — making ADR the most effective remedy.
Whether you are a builder, contractor, supplier, homebuyer, or investor, choosing ADR can save time, money, and business relationships while ensuring fair and enforceable outcomes.
Inheritance and Succession Laws for NRIs Understanding inheritance and succession laws is crucial for Non-Resident Indians NRIs to manage their assets and ensure smooth transfer to their heirs Here's a concise guide to these laws for NRIs including key...
Introduction Non-Resident Indian NRI marriages while often joyous can also bring a unique set of legal challenges These challenges stem from cross-border legal systems differing cultural expectations and complex family dynamics Understanding these issues is crucial for NRIs and their...
Rents receivable by a borrower can be assigned to a lender as an actionable claim as per the Transfer of Property Act TPA held the Supreme Court while deciding a dispute between the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd and...
A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Wednesday December ruled that arbitration clauses in unstamped or inadequately stamped agreements are enforceable Insufficiency of stamping does not make the agreement void or unenforceable but makes it inadmissible in evidence...
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud announced today morning that the Supreme Court has prepared a ldquo Handbook on combating Gender Stereotypes rdquo in order to identify and remove the use of words and phrases which are loaded with gender...
The Supreme Court on May held that it can use its extraordinary powers to do ldquo complete justice rdquo under Article of the Constitution and dissolve a marriage on the ground of lsquo irretrievable breakdown rsquo of the union Usually...