Claim-path review
jury trial
The contract may choose the forum, rules, location, and process for any fight, usually in the GC's favor.
Why it matters
A small shop can be right on the facts and still lose leverage if the process is expensive, far away, or controlled by the GC.
Contractor may elect arbitration or court in its sole discretion, and Subcontractor waives jury trial and pays Contractor's fees.
Dispute procedures are mutual, local to the project or parties, proportionate to claim size, and do not waive lien, bond, prompt-payment, or emergency remedies.
Can we make the dispute process mutual and local, and confirm it does not waive lien, bond, prompt-payment, or emergency remedies?
Use counsel if the GC alone controls forum choice, fees are one-sided, or the clause could make a valid payment claim too expensive to pursue.
Next step
Check the actual subcontract language.
Use the phrase checker or upload the subcontract to see whether this wording appears with other risk terms.