Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Consultants definition

What does Consultants mean? In construction and development projects, consultants are the professional advisers engaged by the employer (client) to deliver design, cost management and project management services. The term is descriptive rather than defined by legislation or case law, though standard forms (for example JCT, NEC, RIAI and GCCC) may define it for contract purposes. Typical consultants include the architect, quantity surveyor, project manager, structural or civil engineer, and building services (MEP) engineer. They are often referred to collectively as the professional team. Key legal features include appointment under a professional services agreement, a duty to exercise reasonable skill and care (fitness...

Overview of roles, duties and liabilities of construction consultants, including lead consultant and Principal Designer responsibilities under the CDM Regulations and the Building Regulations, and key case law

Published by a LexisNexis Construction expert

Practice notes

Construction projects frequently rely on a wide range of professional Consultants, each undertaking distinct responsibilities. The size of the team varies with the project’s scale, and who makes the appointments will depend on the Procurement route. Nevertheless, the principal consultants are broadly consistent across most schemes. This Practice Note outlines the roles of those key consultants and draws attention to their main duties. For a summary of the roles of the parties commonly involved in a construction project (including consultants as well as the employer, contractor and sub-contractor), see Practice Note: Parties in a construction project. For a visual of the contractual framework typical of a construction project, and how consultants are positioned within it, see: Structure of a development project—diagram.

Architect

The architect is generally the lead, and often the most significant, consultant on a building scheme (as opposed to an engineering project). The employer will usually appoint the architect first so that early design advice can be provided and a feasibility study prepared for the proposed development...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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