Public sector contract disputes

This subtopic is aimed at public sector lawyers dealing with contract matters and considers some of the key issues that parties may encounter in relation to contract interpretation and disputes, including:

•
contract interpretation
•
representations and misrepresentation
•
remedies for breach
•
damages in tort
•
limitation of liability
•
dispute resolution clauses

The guidance in this subtopic is intended to provide an overview of the main commercial issues relevant to contractual disputes, remedies and liability. Further detailed guidance on breach of contract and dispute resolution methods is available from Lexis+® UK Commercial and Dispute Resolution.

Contract interpretation

Disputes about contracts are inevitable. No matter the care and effort made in drafting a contract, the imperfect and imprecise nature of language means there will always be room for differences of opinion on interpretation. Also, despite the position of the parties at the start of any relationship, there may be a change in their views over time, therefore the parties must consider the extent to which they will address the real possibility of disputes arising out of or in connection with their contracts.

Many contractual disputes

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