CIDB initiates proposal for Construction Court

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3): The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) is initiating a proposal for the setting up of a Construction Court as a response to the construction industry demand for a dedicated channel to resolve construction sector disputes.

Should the proposed Construction Court materialised, Malaysia will be the second country in the world after the United Kingdom to have established a specialist court dedicated for the construction industry.

CIDB chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Judin Abd Karim said the board has worked closely with the Bar Council and industry leaders to initiate discussions on the setting up of a specialised court, which will focuse on resolving complex and technical construction disputes.

"Establishing the Construction Court is vital for the construction sector as speedy dispute resolutions often require knowledge of industry intricacies and technical complexities," he said in a statement.

Judin said judges, who were dedicated to hearing construction cases, will be more well-versed in the industry's technicalities and will be able to provide swifter and more effective resolution to cases.

"Justice in the construction sector is best served by the trinity of construction arbitration, statutory adjudication and specialist construction court as evident in the justice system in the United Kingdom," he said.

CIDB recently held a briefing session with construction industry players and policymakers on the proposal to initiate the establishment of a Construction Court and participants gave an overwhelming support.  

"The creation of a specialist court is not unprecedented in Malaysia as the judiciary has in recent years created specialist Intellectual Property Court, Admiralty Court and the latest is the Environmental Court on the government's request," he added. — Bernama