When a project is already in trouble — variations rejected, EOTs time-barred, programme slipping, retention withheld — we mobilise in 48 hours. Damage limitation first; commercial recovery second.
Rescue work is two phases: damage limitation in the first 7 days, commercial recovery in the next 90. We do both — but in that order, never reversed.
In the first 48 hours we read the contract, audit the records (or the gaps), map the live exposure, and triage what is recoverable from what is gone. Output is a written rescue plan.
Before recovery, we stop new damage. Emergency notices, payment defence, holding-pattern responses on live disputes. Bleed stopped — then we can plan recovery.
Once damage is limited, we work backwards through variations, EOTs, final account, and retention — recovering what records support. Settlement memos drafted; adjudication held in reserve.
Where Relevant Events were missed at the time, we reconstruct retrospectively to the standard the SCL Protocol permits, then submit and defend the LAD challenge.
Same project, same exposure, week 18 of 24. One subcontractor calls Ashton Blake on Monday morning. One waits another month "to see how it plays out." The second loses everything that was still recoverable.
Hour zero to month three. Most rescue cases recover 60–90% of original exposure when we are engaged in the first month — that drops sharply after 60 days.
Contract reviewed, records audited, exposure mapped, statutory clocks reviewed. Written rescue plan delivered within 48 hours of first contact. Senior partner on site or on call throughout.
Emergency notices served. Payment defence live. Dispute holding patterns deployed. Stakeholder communications coordinated (client / MC / insurer / surety). New damage prevented.
Retrospective variation recovery. Final account strategy. Retrospective EOT claim. LAD challenge memo. Records reconstructed to the standard the SCL Protocol permits.
Settlement memo drafted & presented. Without-prejudice negotiation lead. Adjudication held in reserve if WP fails. Retention release secured. Lessons-learned pack delivered.
Recovery rates drop sharply after 60 days — and the statutory clock waits for nobody. The fastest call we ever take is the rescue call: 48-hour mobilisation, partner-led, UK-wide.