About Construction Law
In construction, knowing the law is only part of the challenge. It’s also important to see things from a commercial perspective and understand the connection between the agreements you’re advising on and what happens on the ground – knowing when to push a point or let it go and enabling you to give your clients advice that they can work with. From design to build and beyond.
Issues in construction contracts
Applying statutory requirements when drafting and negotiating construction contracts throws up common problems and disputes. We cover HGCRA 1996 requirements plus other issues lke retention, set off, and escrow.
Construction disputes
In-depth guidance and precedent documents for enforcing and challenging the adjudicator’s decision. From correcting errors under the slip rule, to grounds for a jurisdictional challenge, this is the place to go.
Standard form construction contracts
We publish JCT 2016 contracts and FIDIC contracts, and have related schedules of amendments for key forms. See other schedules of amendments, practice notes, and checklists for forms including NEC, MF/1, ICC.
Commercial perspective
Understand the connection between the agreements you’re advising on and what happens on the ground. Know when to push a point or let it go, and give your clients advice they can work with from design to build and beyond.
Topics We Cover
Latest Construction News
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data, indicating a 0.4% increase in construction output for February 2025. This was attributed...
This week's edition of Construction weekly highlights includes an analysis of the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Framework Agreement 2024 Edition (FA...
Construction analysis: In a case concerning a contract for the installation of electrical equipment and cable circuits, the Technology and...
The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has published its final report on civil enforcement, following a 12 week consultation that concluded in September...
LexisNexis has published a report featuring insights from seven legal technology experts at major international law firms on technology trends for...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
Brexit legislation trackerThis Practice Note tracks the progress of UK legislation introduced as part of the legislative project associated with the...
JCT contracts 2024—what's changed?This Practice Note brings together our content on the changes made in the 2024 editions of the Joint Contracts...
TCC—case management conference (CMC)This Practice Note provides guidance on preparing for a case management conference (CMC) in the Technology and...
TCC—case managementThis Practice Note considers case management in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) under CPR 60, CPR PD 60 and the...
Negligence in constructionWhile tort claims are not as common in construction projects as breach of contract claims, they do still arise and it is not...
Latest Construction Precedents
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Standard Building Contract With Approximate Quantities 2024The Contract comprises the completed Standard Building...
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Standard Building Contract With Quantities 2024The Contract comprises the completed Standard Building Contract With...
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Standard Building Contract Without Quantities 2024The Contract comprises the completed Standard Building Contract...
JCT Intermediate Sub-Contract 2016—Form of Agreement and AmendmentsAgreement in relation to [insert brief details of the works/project] at [insert...
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Construction Management Trade Contract (CM/TC) 2016Schedule of amendments to the jct Construction Management trade...
Latest Construction Q&As
Featured Construction content
What are preliminaries in a construction contract?
What is a variation on a construction project?
What is a variation on a construction project?A variation (sometimes referred to as a change) is an alteration to the scope of work originally...
Escrow accounts and escrow agreements
Escrow accounts and escrow agreementsThis Practice Note examines why parties involved in a construction project may enter into an escrow agreement (or...
Defects liability period and rectification of defects
Defects liability period and rectification of defectsIt is common in construction projects for defects to manifest or appear in the works. Most...
Where a builder working on property A causes damage to a neighbouring property, who is liable to the neighbour for that damage, the employer (who owns property A) or the builder?
What is practical completion?
What is practical completion?Practical completion marks the end of the construction period of a project, when the works are 'finished' and the...
Build Operate Transfer (BOT) contracts
Build Operate Transfer (BOT) contractsThe Public Private Partnership (PPP) models are a popular way for governments to involve private investment,...
Differences between adjudication and other forms of dispute resolution
Differences between adjudication and other forms of dispute resolutionThis Practice Note identifies some of the key differences between adjudication...
Liquidated damages in construction contracts
Liquidated damages in construction contractsThis Practice Note explains what liquidated and ascertained damages (LADs/LDs) are and their purpose in a...
Time at large in construction contracts
Time at large in construction contractsThis Practice Note examines the concept of ‘time at large’ in relation to the completion of works under a...
Provisional sums
Provisional sumsWhat are provisional sums?There is no precise standard definition of provisional sum but it is generally understood to refer to an...
What is the difference between termination, determination and a voided contract?
Scott Schedules in construction disputes
Scott Schedules in construction disputesScott Schedules are often very useful in construction disputes. They help to identify the key issues between...
The final account in construction and engineering contracts
The final account in construction and engineering contractsWhat is the final account?The expression 'final account' refers to the consolidated...
Fluctuations in construction contracts
Fluctuations in construction contractsWhat are fluctuations?Fluctuations provisions are clauses in construction contracts that allow the contract sum...
Breach of natural justice in adjudication
Breach of natural justice in adjudicationProduced in association with 4 Pump CourtPrinciples of natural justiceIf an adjudicator breaches the rules of...
New home warranties
New home warrantiesThis Practice Note looks at the principal types of policy or guarantee (other than latent defects insurance) that are currently on...
Extensions of time under construction contracts
Extensions of time under construction contractsThis Practice Note examines the circumstances in which a construction contract might entitle a...
Associated legal terms
Building licence
A licence allowing a contractor to go on site in order to carry out works. Usually required where the employer does not actually own the site.
Construction management
A method of construction procurement under which the employer enters into separate contracts with each specialist trade contractor and appoints a construction manager (under a construction management contract) to manage the trade contractors and the project as a whole.
Remeasurement contract
A contract where the amount to be paid for the work carried out is based on the remeasurement of work after it has been carried out, usually against a schedule of rates contained in the contract.
CONTACT US
