Building Contract meaning

This Checklist This Checklist outlines key points to consider when preparing or negotiating liquidated damages (LADs) provisions in a building contract, with a particular emphasis on LADs for late completion. It offers practical pointers and guidance designed to help ultimately ensure that LADs provisions in a building contract are properly enforceable...

This Checklist offers a proposed set of key points to weigh up when assessing whether a construction agreement—be that a building contract, a consultant appointment or a collateral warranty—can be assigned. It also sets out the practical steps to be taken to complete an assignment of the benefit of a construction contract from one party to another. Does the construction contract contain assignment provisions? Construction agreements commonly include an explicit clause addressing the parties’ rights to assign under it. Where the contract says nothing about assignment, either side may assign the contract without limitation or constraint. In some cases, the contract will expressly bar assignment by one or both parties. Usually, the employer is not wholly barred from assigning; however, there is often a cap on how many assignments can occur without the other party’s consent (see further on restrictions below). See Practice Note: Assignment in construction contracts. Are there any restrictions on the right to assign? Construction...

This checklist outlines matters to weigh up when preparing and agreeing an advance payment bond for a construction project. See also Practice Note: Advance payment bonds. Parties Where a party has its registered office outside England and Wales, it may need to nominate a service address within England and Wales. Consider carefully before accepting a surety located outside the UK and, where relevant, verify the surety is properly authorised to issue bonds in the UK. Always include company registration numbers so companies can be identified in the future. The relevant contract Set out the full particulars of the building contract and the works to which the advance payment bond applies, as appropriate...

This flowchart takes you through the stages of a CIETAC arbitration under the CIETAC Arbitration Rules 2024 Although each arbitration differs and the tribunal will tailor proceedings to specifics of the case, it remains vital to appreciate how an arbitration will 'usually' progress, together with the timescales likely to apply...

This Flowchart This Flowchart outlines the key questions to consider when assessing the territorial reach or scope of statutory employment rights—specifically, which statutory rights, if any, apply to an employee who works abroad and/or has a foreign employer. For general guidance on territorial application or scope, see Practice Note: The territorial scope of statutory employment rights. For Flowcharts that address applicable law and jurisdiction, refer to Determining applicable law in employment disputes—flowchart and Determining jurisdiction in employment disputes (1 January 2021 onwards)—flowchart...

This flowchart for investigating financial sanctions target matches clearly sets out the sequential actions to follow once a suspected financial sanctions target (designated person) match is found. Its purpose is to confirm that every pertinent point is addressed consistently and thoroughly throughout. Note 1 See Precedent: Financial sanctions match report form. The form is for staff to submit and record potential financial sanctions target (designated person) matches identified via the screening process...

In this issue: Contract law Building safety Litigation Arbitration Tax for construction lawyers Standard form contracts Construction industry news Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Construction trackers Contract law Employer deemed out of time in issuing a notification on the Monday after a Sunday deadline (My Contracts v 74 Hamilton Terrace) In My Contracts Ltd v 74 Hamilton Terrace Freehold Ltd [2024] EWHC 2896 (TCC), the TCC issued a declaration at the contractor’s request concerning the construction of a clause that imposed a deadline for the employer to notify costs for which the contractor was responsible. The court concluded the employer missed the deadline by serving the notice on the Monday immediately after the final day for service, which had fallen on a Sunday. Central to the decision was that the clause made no provision for the period to be calculated by reference to ‘Business Days’. See News Analysis: Employer...

In this issue: Standard form contracts Building safety Expert witnesses Construction industry news Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Construction trackers Standard form contracts CLLS publishes 2024 edition of Letter of Intent The CLLS has released the refreshed 2024 edition of its Letter of Intent. Our commentary reviews the revisions made. See News Analysis: City of London Law Society publishes 2024 edition of Letter of Intent. Court refuses declaratory relief in JCT termination payment dispute (Shaylor v Valesecure) In Shaylor Group Ltd (in administration) v Valesecure Property Ltd (in liquidation) [2024] EWHC 750 (TCC), the Technology and Construction Court declined to issue declarations regarding the contractor’s right to payment after the termination of a JCT-based contract. In doing so, the court explored noteworthy issues of contractual interpretation, including the methodology for assessing sums owed to the contractor post-termination and the impact of an ineffective assignment by the employer. See News Analysis:...

In this issue: Adjudication Building safety Planning Litigation Construction industry news Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Construction trackers Adjudication Contractual interpretation in adjudication disputes (Dawnvale v Hylgar) In Dawnvale Cafe Components Ltd v Hylgar Properties Ltd [2024] EWHC 1199 (TCC), the court reviewed the reach of a Tomlin Order/Settlement Agreement concluded after settling enforcement of an adjudicator’s decision, and assessed whether its wording barred a proposed second adjudication. It also had to determine if that proposed reference raised a dispute already resolved by the first adjudication. This ruling underlines the need for exact drafting in settlement agreements and the prospect of further claims where matters are not expressly concluded. Written by Michael O’Connor, partner at Charles Russell Speechly LLP. See News Analysis: Contractual interpretation in adjudication disputes (Dawnvale v Hylgar). Building safety Building liability orders: court gives guidance on procedures in first reported case (Wilmott Dixon v Prater) ...

This Practice Note examines enquiries before contract—also referred to as pre-contract enquiries, preliminary enquiries or standard enquiries—within residential conveyancing transactions. It proceeds on the basis that the parties have adopted the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol (2019) (the Protocol) and that the buyer’s conveyancer is additionally acting for a lender in line with the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook (the UKFML Handbook) or the Building Societies Association Mortgage Instructions (the BSA Instructions). See Practice Notes: The Law Society’s Conveyancing Protocol and Lenders' instructions—the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders' Handbook and the Building Societies Association Mortgage Instructions. Why raise enquiries? At common law, the guiding doctrine is ‘caveat emptor’—‘let the buyer beware’—so a seller has only a limited duty to disclose information about the property. It is principally for the buyer to ensure they understand what they are purchasing, including the nature of the property and any rights or liabilities that may attach to it. Accordingly, a buyer’s conveyancer raises enquiries before contract to secure information about the property...

What standard forms are available? While take-up in the private sector is still modest, the government advocates the use of project bank accounts on public sector construction schemes. See Practice Note: Introduction to project bank accounts. In light of this, JCT, NEC and PPC2000 have each released standard form documentation. This Practice Note examines their respective approaches and the stand-out characteristics of these documents/clauses. JCT JCT first launched its Project Bank Account Documentation in 2010. It was reissued within the JCT 2011, 2016 and 2024 suites, with no material textual alterations. The 2011 edition contained a consultation exercise report; in the 2016 and 2024 editions this was superseded by guidance notes. A Scottish edition was brought out by the SBCC in February 2023. These publications reflect continuity of content across the successive suites and editions over time. The 2024 materials are intended to facilitate establishment of a project bank account, and consist of three components: Project Bank Account Agreement (PBA) JCT Joining Agreement...

This Practice Note is archived and no longer updated or maintained. It outlines the differences introduced in the NEC4 standard form construction contracts when set against the NEC3 versions. It also summarises the changes from NEC3 across the standard forms. The spotlight is on the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC), though many ECC revisions mirror those rolled out across the broader NEC suite. Many of the points made in relation to the ECC are indicative of suite-wide adjustments. The NEC characterises NEC4 as an ‘evolution not revolution’, building on NEC3. The bulk of NEC4’s revisions appear aimed at embedding sound practice and/or cutting reliance on Z clauses (ie bespoke amendments). For further details on NEC contracts in general, including their structure, see Practice Note: NEC contracts—introduction. Publication of NEC4 The NEC4 contracts were issued by the Institution of Civil Engineers on 22 June 2017...

Agreement concerning [ insert brief details of the works/project ] at [ insert address of works ] (incorporating, among other things, the JCT Standard Building Sub-Contract Agreement 2024 (SBCSub/A 2024) and the JCT Standard Building Sub-Contract Conditions 2024 (SBCSub/C 2024), each as amended and supplemented as set out in this Agreement and in the Schedules to it). This Agreement is dated the [ insert number ] day of [ insert month ] 20[ insert year ] Parties [ insert name of the Contractor ] (company registration number [ insert number ]), whose registered office is at [ insert address of the Contractor ] (“the Contractor”) [ insert name of the Sub-Contractor ] (company registration number [ insert number ]), whose registered office is at [ insert address of the Sub-Contractor ] (“the Sub-Contractor”) Now it is agreed that: 1 Interpretation In this Agreement, words and expressions carry the meanings respectively attributed to them in the JCT SBCSub/A 2024 and...

The Contract comprises the completed Standard Building Contract Without Quantities for use in Scotland 2016 published by the SBCC subject to the following amendments: Recitals and Articles updated: contractor to provide a master programme and Schedule of Information Requirements; CDP responsibility accepted; Principal Contractor duties priced; arbitration deleted; Schedule of Amendments prevails; Third Party Agreements duties. Contract Particulars: arbitration entries removed; Rectification Period set at 12 months; fluctuations and certain PII/guarantee entries deleted. Conditions: key definitions revised (Practical Completion, Copyright Material, Design sub‑contractors, Funder, Site); Scottish jurisdiction; approvals mean principles only; entire agreement; variations in writing. Design/materials/programming: contractor accepts ER/CP; quality and non‑deleterious materials; programme reporting; site risk; drawings/info supply; tighter discrepancy notices. Time/defects: mitigate and advise on delay; narrower Relevant Events; Practical Completion clarified; stronger rectification, consequential damage and indemnity; phased as‑built/occupation information. IP/confidentiality/BIM: broader licence, moral rights waivers and delivery; confidentiality reinforced; BIM where adopted. Management/sub‑contracting: access, approved Site Manager, meetings; prescribed sub‑contracts; collateral warranties/third‑party rights; CDM duties; insurance...

The Contract comprises the completed Standard Building Contract With Approximate Quantities 2016 published by the JCT subject to the following amendments: This Contract adopts JCT SBC/AQ 2016 with extensive modifications to reflect design responsibility, building safety and commercial controls. Recitals: Contractor to provide a master programme and Schedule of Information Requirements; confirms site due diligence and accepts full CDP design liability. Articles: Dutyholder Regulations added; Tender Price covers Principal Contractor duties; arbitration removed; Schedule of Amendments prevails; strict protection of Third Party Agreements. Definitions/governance: new and revised terms (Building Safety Regulator, HRB, Practical Completion, Copyright Material, Design Sub‑contractors, Dutyholder Regulations); several deletions; English court jurisdiction. Design/materials/information: skill‑and‑care design and coordination; only new, compliant, non‑deleterious materials; golden thread storage; monthly programme reporting; site risks at Contractor’s risk. Procedures/controls: tighter instruction, testing, defects and as‑built duties; enhanced confidentiality and IP licences; HRB assistance; CDM/Dutyholder competency confirmations. Sub‑contracting/rights: prescribed sub‑contracts, insurances and delivery of collateral warranties/third‑party rights; limits on assignment. Payment/commercial: 28‑day final...

Clause 2.27.1 of the JCT Standard Building Contract 2011 (SBC) Clause 2.27.1 provides that where it becomes reasonably clear that progress of the Works, or any Section, is delayed or likely to be delayed, the Contractor must at once notify the Architect/Contract Administrator, explaining the material circumstances, including the reasons for the delay, and in that notice point out any occurrence he regards as a Relevant Event... Lexis+® UK practical point: the same wording appears in the Standard Building Contract 2016 (cl 2.27.1) and in the JCT Design and Build Contract 2011/2016 (cl 2.24.1), save that in the design and build forms the addressee ‘Architect/Contract Administrator’ is replaced by the ‘Employer’... Two principal questions arise when deciding whether a notification clause such as SBC clause 2.27.1 has been properly observed: what does the obligation to give notice ‘forthwith’ encompass, and is the contractor obliged to meet this condition? what level of notification/particulars of the ‘material circumstances’ must be provided? ...

Service charges Service charges are imposed by landlords to recoup the expenditure they incur in delivering services to a building. The precise manner in which the service charge is organised and administered is defined in the tenant’s lease or tenancy agreement. Usually, the charge meets the expense of matters such as general maintenance and repairs, insurance of the building and, where services are supplied, central heating, lifts, porters, lighting, and cleaning of common areas. The charges may additionally cover management costs borne by the landlord or a professional managing agent, together with contributions made to a reserve fund. Relationship of landlord and tenant The landlord and tenant relationship stems from medieval land law and was at first a matter solely of contract in form. Nevertheless, from very early on, the agreement conferred on the tenant an estate or proprietary interest in the land whilst retaining, and not discarding, any of its essential contractual attributes as such...

If a property vendor makes an inaccurate statement of fact, and the purchaser relies on it when agreeing the contract, it could potentially be suitable to pursue a claim for misrepresentation...