Can the contractor stop work if it is not paid?
Only after adjudication. If the respondent fails to pay an adjudicated amount on time, the claimant may serve a notice of intention to suspend work, copied to the principal and owner, and suspend once 7 days have passed without payment. During a lawful suspension the claimant is not liable for resulting loss, and the suspension period is disregarded in computing contractual time limits. Work must resume within 3 days of payment.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Security of Payment Act (SOPA) Singapore: Progress Payments and Adjudication for Owners and Contractors. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Singapore's Security of Payment Act gives anyone who does construction work or supplies goods or services under a written contract a statutory right to progress payment. The claimant serves a payment claim; the respondent must reply with a payment response within the contract period (maximum 21 days) or 14 days; unresolved disputes go to fast adjudication at the Singapore Mediation Centre, enforceable as a court judgment.
More questions on this topic
- Does SOPA apply to my renovation or fit-out contract?
- What happens if the owner does not send a payment response?
- How long does SOPA adjudication take?
- How much does adjudication cost?
- Can a contract avoid SOPA or use a pay-when-paid clause?
- Can an owner challenge an adjudication determination?
- Is a WhatsApp or email agreement a written contract for SOPA?