Principal contractor meaning

For further information on the principal designer’s responsibilities and remit, consult the following: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, SI 2015/51 (CDM Regs 2015) HSE Guidance on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 CONIAC Industry guidance for Principal Designers Practice Note: CDM Regulations 2015—the role of the principal designer Appointment of the principal designer On any project involving more than one contractor, the client is required to appoint the principal designer formally and in writing. This appointment should be made as soon as practicable and, in any case, before the construction phase begins, without delay...

For further information about the responsibilities of the contractor and the principal contractor, consult: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, SI 2015/51 (CDM Regs 2015) HSE Guidance on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 CONIAC Industry guidance for Contractors CONIAC Industry guidance for Principal Contractors Practice Note: CDM Regulations 2015—the role of the contractor and principal contractor Duties of all contractors A contractor must: confirm, prior to taking on the appointment, that it possesses the necessary skills, knowledge and experience and, where it is an organisation, the organisational capability, to discharge its role in a way that safeguards the health and safety of anyone impacted by the project before starting work, ensure the client is aware of their duties under the CDM Regs 2015 (see Practice Note: CDM Regulations 2015—the role of the client) ...

ARCHIVED: This checklist has been archived and is not being maintained. Theme Key changes Client duties CDM 2015 is client-focussed: the client holds ultimate responsibility for controlling health and safety on the construction site (SI 2015/51, reg 4), including making sure the principal designer produces the health and safety file. They must also see that this requirement is kept under review and maintained for the duration of the project. Duties for clients under CDM 2015 when managing projects mirror the 2007 obligations (SI 2007/320, regs 9–10), with extra requirements that the client takes reasonable steps to verify the principal designer and the contractor comply with their duties (SI 2015/51, reg 4(6)). Election by clients is likewise captured within client duties under regulation 4 of the 2015 Regulations. NEW 2015 — CDM now extends to domestic clients — this is a new provision under SI 2015/51, reg 7...

Bayerische Landesbank and another v Ruschemalliance LLC [2024] EWHC 1822 (Comm) What are the practical implications of this case? In keeping with comparable determinations, this judgment succinctly sets out the jurisdictional thresholds and principal considerations the court applies when evaluating applications for anti‑suit injunctions. It underscores the judiciary’s practical bent and operates as a constructive illustration of inter‑court co‑ordination, projecting a clear signal where numerous contests flow from identical underlying events, even though such matters are dealt with at varying moments and tiers of the court structure. In sum, the outcome reasserts the English courts’ steadfast commitment to upholding arbitration, including in circumstances where the arbitral seat is situated in a foreign state. What was the background? In 2021, the defendant, Ruschemalliance LLC (“RCA”), a Russian entity, entered into two Engineering, Procurement and Construction agreements for the development of liquefied natural gas and gas processing plant facilities in Russia. The obligations owed by RCA’s counterparties, the German companies Linde GmbH and Renaissance Heavy Industries LLC (together,...

KCL issued its third—and concluding—Adjudication Report in November 2024, collating findings from responses to two questionnaires: one directed to Adjudicator Nominating Bodies (ANBs) and a second to individuals involved in statutory adjudication. In this piece, Joseph Hale and Jennifer Fitzmaurice, a partner and professional support lawyer at Eversheds Sutherland, consider the report and what the future might hold for statutory adjudication in the UK. What key themes and trends does the Adjudication Report identify? The findings depict a dispute resolution process that is widely used and popular, clearly organised and well-structured, rapid and comparatively low-cost. ANBs recorded the highest level on record in the past year for adjudication referrals, at 2,264. Moreover, because the notion of ‘disputes’ has been broadly construed by case law since the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (HGCRA 1996) took effect, parties can address issues during their projects, spanning everything from: inadequate contract administration (the principal source of disputes at 50%) inappropriate contractor selection (accounting for only 1%...

On 17 April 2024, JCT released the 2024 versions of its Design and Build (DB) Contract and the Design and Build Sub-Contract (DBSub), together with the accompanying guides. The JCT Design and Build forms are aimed at projects where the contractor is responsible for completing the design as well as delivering the works. The JCT DB Sub-Contracts are intended for use where the main agreement is the JCT DB, and may apply either when the sub-contract package is fully designed or when the sub-contractor must design part or all of the works. In this piece, we explore some of the principal updates in the 2024 JCT DB documents compared with the 2016 suite, concentrating on JCT DB 2024 (ie the main contract). Reference copies of JCT DB 2024 and JCT DBSub 2024, and their companion guides, can be found on Lexis+ Construction under the sub-topic ‘JCT contracts 2024’ within the main topic ‘Standard form construction contracts’. They are also available via Practice Note: JCT contracts 2024—reference copies. What are...

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...

This Practice Note sets out a comparison of headline aspects of the FIDIC 2017 and NEC4 suites, highlighting similarities and distinctions across their principal features. It specifically concentrates on the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) and the FIDIC Red Book 2017 (Red Book), used primarily where the Contractor constructs to the Employer’s design in practice (although, where the scope includes any Contractor design, the Red Book accommodates this). For commentary on the 1999 edition of the FIDIC Red Book, see Practice Note: FIDIC 1999 and NEC4 contracts compared. Overall philosophy FIDIC FIDIC contracts are the leading international standard-form construction agreements. They are often described as ‘written by engineers, for engineers’. The suite is also recognised for balanced risk distribution, with liabilities generally allocated to the party best able to manage them (the EPC/Turnkey variant, widely referred to as the Silver Book, is something of an exception). As one would expect from documents devised by engineers, the Engineer has a central function in a number of the...

This Practice Note This Practice Note considers the principal factors a party to a construction contract should address when preparing the quantum elements of a claim. It covers routine contractual claims (for example, loss and expense), as well as scenarios where the dispute stems from breach of contract or negligence, i.e. a claim for damages. It also examines frequent categories of recoverable loss, including: damages relating to defects claims future losses wasted management time loss of a chance third party settlement sums Beyond establishing whether a loss is recoverable and its value, additional quantum issues may include whether to advance a ‘global claim’, mitigation and betterment considerations, contributory negligence, and any contractual limits or exclusions. On the issue of loss within a dispute, the claimant bears the burden of proving both the fact of the loss and the amount claimed. For a fuller review of key and/or recent authorities concerning common heads of loss in construction disputes, such...

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...

Contents This Agreement is dated [ date ] Parties [ Insert name of Employer ] (Company Registration No. [ insert number ]), whose registered office is at [ insert address of Employer ] (the ‘Employer’, which term shall encompass all permitted assignees or other transferees under this Agreement); [ Insert name of Consultant ] (Company Registration No. [ insert number ]), whose registered office is at [ insert address of Consultant ] (the ‘Consultant’). background WHEREAS The Employer has entered into, or proposes to enter into, a contract with [ insert name of Contractor ] of [ insert address of Contractor ] (the ‘Contractor’) for the design and construction of [ insert brief description of the project ] at [ insert location of site ] (the ‘Building Contract’). The Employer seeks to appoint the Consultant to carry out, for the Employer, the services set out in Schedule 2 to this Agreement (the ‘Services’) on the terms...

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? ...