Have you just learned an Award has been agreed? Wondering when you should receive it?
Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, once surveyors have agreed and signed a Party Wall Award, they must serve it on the owners without delay. This requirement sits at the heart of your right to challenge the Award if you believe it’s improper.
What Section 10(14) actually requires
Section 10(14): Where the surveyors appointed by the parties make an award the surveyors shall serve it forthwith on the parties.
That single word—“forthwith”—is doing the heavy lifting. It means surveyors must serve the Award immediately, not “when convenient.”
Why speed matters (and how it links to appeals)
Section 10(17): Either party may appeal within 14 days beginning with the day on which the Award is served.
Your 14-day appeal window starts on service. If service is delayed, your fair opportunity to take advice and decide whether to appeal is eroded. That’s why “forthwith” is fundamental: the Act intends owners to have the full 14 days.
What “forthwith” looks like in practice
- Target timeframe: In normal circumstances, service should occur the same day the Award is dated and signed, or within 1–2 working days at most.
- Modern service methods:
- Email (where the recipient has agreed to electronic service) for speed and proof of time sent/received.
- Post/hand delivery in parallel to satisfy Section 15 service methods and provide belt-and-braces evidence.
- Proof: Keep contemporaneous records—email outbox receipts, certificates of posting, service schedules. (Avoid Recorded Delivery alone—it can be refused at the door.)
Simple Survey practice: We serve Awards the same business day (09:00–18:00) they’re signed—by email (with consent) and post/hand. That preserves the full appeal window and meets the plain-English meaning of “forthwith.”
Owner checklist: protecting your 14-day window
- Confirm service method(s) up front.
When you appoint a surveyor, state in writing whether you consent to email service. This enables same-day electronic service alongside post. - Ask for a dated service sheet.
A simple one-pager noting date/time, method, and addresses served keeps everyone aligned on the appeal clock. - Note the appeal deadline immediately.
Day 0 = the date of service. Count 14 calendar days from there. If you are considering appeal, seek legal advice promptly. - Request urgent service if timing is tight.
If a surveyor signals that an Award is ready, ask for same-day service and an email PDF (where consented). - If service is late, say so—quickly.
If you receive an Award well after its date, write back noting the delay. You may need to reference the timing in any subsequent legal steps.
Good practice expectations for surveyors
- No “desk-sitting.” Once signed, the Award leaves the desk immediately.
- Dual-track service. Email (with prior consent) and post/hand service, recorded contemporaneously.
- Clear covering letter. State the service date, the appeal window end-date, and the next steps.
- Rapid re-service if issues arise. If any element of service is questioned, re-serve without delay and document it.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Assuming posting “next week” is fine → It isn’t. “Forthwith” is now, not later.
- Relying on recorded delivery → It can be refused. Use proof of posting or hand service with attendance notes.
- No audit trail → Keep a service log, email headers, postal receipts, and (where hand served) an attendance note with date/time, address, and photos if appropriate.
What if you think “forthwith” wasn’t met?
- Raise it immediately in writing with the surveyor(s).
- Take legal advice promptly if you’re considering appeal. The appeal test is not “I don’t like it”—you’ll need an error of law/jurisdiction or a procedural defect with substance.
- Do not delay. Even if you query service, the 14-day limit still applies unless a court orders otherwise.
Get Awards Served Forthwith, Protect Your Rights
Simple Survey (RICS) — Same-day Award service. Nationwide. Fixed fees. Plain English.
Need an Award out today—properly? Or want a quick health-check on service and appeal timing?
Email your plans and dates to: team@simplesurvey.co.uk
We’ll confirm validity, serve correctly, and preserve your full 14-day appeal window.
Simple Survey — Fixed Nationwide Costs (Guide)
| Service | What’s included | Fixed Fee (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Party Wall Notice (per Adjoining Owner) | Drafting, validity checks, compliant service & tracking | £25 |
| Agreed Surveyor Award | One impartial surveyor acting for both owners | £300 |
| Building Owner’s Surveyor Award | Acting for the Building Owner in a two-surveyor setup | £300 |
Our fees are always fixed. We’re nationwide. We’re experienced and RICS-qualified.
FAQ
Q1: When does my 14-day appeal period start—date of the Award or date of service?
A: Date of service. The clock runs from when the Award is served on you, not when it was signed.
Q2: Can I insist on email service to get it faster?
A: Yes—if you consent to electronic service in writing. Most owners do, precisely to protect their appeal window.
Q3: The Award is dated last week but arrived today. Is that a problem?
A: Potentially. Section 10(14) requires “forthwith” service. Raise the delay in writing immediately and seek advice—especially if you are contemplating an appeal.
Q4: Can surveyors wait to bundle the Award with other documents before serving?
A: They shouldn’t. The Award must be served forthwith. Ancillary items can follow; service of the Award shouldn’t be slowed.
Q5: If service was faulty, does that invalidate the Award?
A: Not automatically. Remedies depend on the facts. If you’re concerned, act quickly and get legal advice—the 14-day limit still applies unless a court decides otherwise.
Need the Award served correctly and fast? team@simplesurvey.co.uk