Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
CASE STUDY

“We rely on LexisNexis to give us a definitive answer, quickly and reliable every time so that we can be confident in the advice we use to help our clients.”

Shelter

Access all documents on Change Protocol

Change Protocol meaning

What does Change Protocol mean?
A Change Protocol is the contract’s agreed change control procedure. It sets out how any change to scope, specification, deliverables, timescales or price will be requested, assessed, approved, documented and implemented. It is a descriptive term used across commercial contracts (e.g. construction, IT, outsourcing and PPP), not a concept defined by legislation. Typical features include: who may raise a change request; required information; impact assessment on cost, programme, risk, service levels and acceptance; pricing rules (rates, margin, compensation events); approval thresholds and governance; authorised signatories; time extensions and re-baselining of milestones; documentation, audit and dispute routes; and treatment of urgent or regulatory changes. The protocol operates alongside variation clauses and any no oral modification provision, usually requiring a written, signed change order before a change is binding. In England and Wales, such formality requirements are generally enforceable (Rock Advertising v MWB), with courts in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland often giving effect to similar clauses, though waiver, estoppel or a quantum meruit may still arise where parties proceed outside the protocol. Public sector contracts may impose additional procurement and record-keeping requirements.
Speed up all aspects of your legal work with tools that help you to work faster and smarter. Win cases, close deals and grow your business–all whilst saving time and reducing risk.

View the related Checklists about Change Protocol

CHECKLISTS
Civil Settlement Agreements: Negotiation, Drafting, ADR, Part 36, 'Without Prejudice' and 'Subject to Contract', Tomlin Orders, Deeds and Third-Party Rights—Checklist (England and Wales)

When to seek settlement? This checklist flags common issues that can emerge when negotiating and drafting a settlement agreement. For step-by-step guidance on negotiating and preparing a settlement agreement, consult the following Practice Notes: How to agree and draft a settlement agreement (non-employment claims) Settling disputes—how to document a settlement Settling disputes—drafting the settlement agreement Keep settlement in mind at every stage of a dispute, including pre-action. Consider the full range of resolution routes, such as direct negotiation between the parties or their legal advisers, assessing whether a Part 36 offer is suitable, or engaging in assisted alternative dispute resolution (ADR), for example mediation. Following a rule change in October 2024, the court may now order parties to participate in ADR (see CPR 3.1(2)(o)). Review any contractual duties relating to settlement—such as a tiered dispute resolution clause—and ensure compliance with pre-action protocol requirements that encourage and facilitate settlement efforts. For additional context, see: Settling disputes—what, when and why settle?...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Flowcharts about Change Protocol

FLOWCHARTS
Pre-Action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes: Flowchart of Stages and Steps Before Proceedings

FORTHCOMING CHANGE : The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 obtained Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. For guidance on the Act’s effect on residential tenancies in England, see Practice Note: Renters’ Rights Act 2025—key provisions. This Flowchart outlines how to end an assured (AT) or assured shorthold tenancy (AST) via section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 (HA 1988), including: service of a section 8 notice issuing proceedings the steps in the case leading to an order for possession Where HA 1988 applies, unless the tenant agrees to leave voluntarily, a landlord may recover possession only by using the procedures in HA 1988, sections 8 or 21, obtaining an order for possession and enforcing it. See Practice Note: Assured and assured shorthold tenancies—terminating. The section 8 process is available where the tenant has defaulted on tenancy obligations (for example, failing to pay rent) or the landlord qualifies for possession on another HA 1988, Sch 2 ground, whether during a fixed...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related News about Change Protocol

NEWS
Civil Procedure Rule Committee: October 2024 decisions—Part 25 overhaul, OIC whiplash PAP/PD changes, small claims paper determination pilot extension, and Costs Budgeting Light pilots (England and Wales)

Note: the CPRC has ceased distributing the supporting background papers alongside the minutes; accordingly, this News Analysis does not include documents elucidating the topics considered. A copy of the minutes can be found here: Minutes of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee. Welcome, action log and matters arising (item 1) The minutes of the 5 July meeting were formally approved and the action log was noted—see News Analysis: Minutes of the CPR Committee meeting—5 July 2024. The following items were considered: Ryan Morris v Williams & Co Solicitors [2024] EWCA Civ 376—the matter had previously been covered under item 4 in the Minutes of the CPR Committee meeting—held 5 July 2024...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
EU-UK SPS Agreement in Principle to Simplify Agri-food Trade Across Irish Sea: Harmonisation, Dynamic Alignment, Windsor Framework Unchanged; Customs Declarations Remain; Legal Text and Implementation Pending

SPS Agreement In a noteworthy step for the Irish agri‑food sector, the EU and the UK have committed to progressing a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area by way of what is being termed an ‘SPS Agreement’. This announcement was made at the inaugural UK‑EU Summit, which took place on 19 May 2025. The arrangement encompasses a number of areas; however, in this piece we focus on the accord reached regarding sanitary and phytosanitary goods (‘SPS products’). The intention behind the SPS Agreement is to permit the great majority of animals, animal products, plants and plant products to move across the EU and Great Britain without the requirement for controls. The Windsor Framework would continue to apply in Northern Ireland, enabling it to keep dual access to both the UK’s domestic, internal market and the EU’s single market. Change to the current position At present, EU and UK relations are governed by the UK‑EU Withdrawal Agreement, the Northern Ireland Protocol (and the ensuing Windsor Framework), and the UK‑EU...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
Civil dispute resolution update: CPRC minutes; CJC report; HMCTS updates; rulings on rectification, misrepresentation, malicious falsehood, liability caps, discontinuance costs; UK Supreme Court portal launch and judgment despite settlement

In this issue: Key DR developments Claims and remedies Costs and funding Litigation Civil appeals New content Dates for your diary Useful information Daily and weekly news alerts Key DR developments CPRC minutes Record of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee meeting on 4 October 2024: The CPRC’s session on 4 October 2024—held in a hybrid format at The Rolls Building (Royal Courts of Justice) and by video conference—covered a range of matters, including proposed changes to the Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims Below the Small Claims Limit in Road Traffic Accidents and to CPR PD 27B. The Committee also looked at amendments to CPR 25 (interim remedies and security for costs), CPR 42 (change of solicitor), CPR 46 (costs orders in favour of or against non-parties) and CPR PD 52E (appeals by way of case stated). For further details, see News Analysis: Minutes of the CPR Committee meeting—4 October 2024...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Practice Notes about Change Protocol

PRACTICE NOTES
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence July 2025: discount rate, costs/QOCS, RTA reforms, CPR updates and leading cases (England and Wales) [Archived]

PI & Clinical negligence horizon scanner—July 2025 [Archived] ARCHIVED: This Practice Note is archived and is not maintained. It summarises the principal legal developments relevant to personal injury and clinical negligence practitioners as at July 2025. For developments predating this horizon scanner, see PI and Clinical Negligence horizon scanning and key cases—overview. Key PI and clinical negligence developments The personal injury discount rate—a review In late 2024, the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood MP, revealed the outcome of her five‑month review of the discount rate, initiated in July 2024. One month after the new +0.5% discount rate took effect, Thea Wilson (barrister at 12 King’s Bench Walk) assesses its impact on cases, the responses from claimant and defendant representatives, and the consequences of the change for legal practitioners. See News Analysis: The personal injury discount rate—a review. MoJ announces reduction in CFO’s interest rates The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced lower interest rates for the Courts Funds Office’s (CFO) special and basic accounts...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
Mortgage possession claims: rights, duties, mortgagor defences, tenant protections, pre-action protocol and procedure (England and Wales)

FORTHCOMING CHANGE On 27 October 2025, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 obtained Royal Assent. For guidance on the Act’s effect on residential tenancies in England, see Practice Note: Renters’ Rights Act 2025—key provisions. This Practice Note sets out mortgagee possession claims, including the mortgagee’s right to seek possession and their duties once in possession, the mortgagor’s right to request time to pay under the Administration of Justice Act 1970, the position of any tenants of the mortgagor, the pre-action protocol, and the process for bringing a claim. For guidance on the range of remedies available to mortgagees, see Practice Note: Mortgages and land—enforcement of mortgages and legal charges over land. The right to possession Where a mortgagor has fallen into default, the mortgagee will often wish to sell the property and may first need to secure possession. However, it is also possible to: sell without taking possession: a sale subject to a tenancy can be especially attractive for a commercial property let at a...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
EU State Aid and SGEI: Definition, Member State Discretion, Altmark, Procurement, Reasonable Profit and the 2012 SGEI Package

Services of general economic interest (SGEI) The notion of ‘services of general economic interest’ is not expressly defined in the EU Treaties or in secondary legislation. Its contours are set out in Article 14 TFEU and, in particular, Article 106(2) TFEU, which provides that undertakings entrusted with an SGEI remain subject to the TFEU unless applying those rules would impede the particular task assigned. Further, the development of intra‑Community trade must not be affected in a manner that runs counter to the EU’s interest. Protocol No 26 to the TFEU highlights the importance of SGEI and affirms the discretion of Member States in defining them. It also clarifies why there is no single EU definition: SGEI vary between Member States due to differing needs arising from distinct historical, geographical, cultural and social circumstances. The role of SGEI also evolves with technological progress and societal change. Member States must ensure: quality safety affordability equal treatment universal access protection of user...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Q&As about Change Protocol

Q&As
Turkish Worker visa: employer change—application? Home Office notice?

Immigration Rules, Appendix ECAA: Extension Of Stay Pursuant to the current Immigration Rules (Immigration Rules, Appendix ECAA: Extension Of Stay) and the applicable guidance (Turkish ECAA guidance: Appendix ECAA extension of stay), holders of the Turkish Worker visa who have been lawfully employed in the UK for at least four years may, from that point, take up any role with any employer. This Appendix took effect at 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020, to encompass those who previously enjoyed rights under Decision 1/80 of the Association Council connected to the ECAA Association Agreement (concluded on 12 September 1963 in Ankara, and later supplemented on 23 November 1970 by the Brussels Protocol). See: Turkey-EEC Association Agreement: Macdonald’s Immigration Law and Practice [6.193]. Immigration Rules Appendix ECAA: Extension Of Stay, paragraphs ECAA 3.1–ECAA 3.2 set out, amongst other matters, that: ECAA 3.1...

Read More Right Arrow