The Ontario Dispute Adjudication Centre for Construction (ODACC) is the Authorized Nominating Authority designated by the Ontario government to administer construction adjudications under Part II.1 of the Construction Act. ODACC trains and certifies adjudicators, manages the case intake process, and provides standardized forms. When you start an adjudication, you submit a Notice of Adjudication through ODACC, which then assigns an adjudicator from its roster (or appoints one if the parties cannot agree). ODACC charges an administrative fee on top of the adjudicator's fee. The process is designed to be lightweight and document-driven: documents and submissions in, decision out, typically in 30 to 50 days. ODACC publishes anonymized decisions, making it the only source of public guidance on how adjudicators are interpreting the new rules.
Why it matters to Canadian contractors
- ODACC is the only path to adjudication in Ontario. Private adjudicators not certified by ODACC have no statutory authority.
- Reading recent ODACC decisions before filing tells you how adjudicators are interpreting proper-invoice rules, notice timing, and the scope of disputes that qualify for adjudication.
- ODACC's standardized forms speed the intake process but also constrain what you can argue. Anything not raised in the Notice may be barred.
- ODACC adjudicators are construction lawyers, engineers, and architects with construction experience. They understand industry practice in a way generalist judges typically do not.
Common mistakes and pitfalls
- Filing fees and adjudicator fees are not symmetrical. The party that initiates may bear higher administrative costs even if they win on the merits.
- ODACC requires strict adherence to its timelines for document submission. A missed reply window can result in the adjudicator deciding on the documents already in front of them.
- ODACC adjudications cannot consolidate disputes from different prime contracts unless the parties consent. Multiple disputes on a single project may require multiple adjudications.
- An ODACC decision can be enforced as a judgment but only after the deadline to comply (typically 10 days after the decision) has passed.
- Adjudication is only available while the contract is ongoing or shortly after. Once the project is fully closed out, your route is the courts, not ODACC.
Related
- ODACC adjudication: how it works→
- Glossary: Adjudication→
- Glossary: Prompt payment→
- Ontario Construction Act guide→
This glossary entry is for general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Canadian tax and construction law rules vary by province and contract. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed professional.