Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Time at large definition

What does Time at large mean? Time at large describes, in construction contracts, the position where there is no enforceable contractual completion date and the contractor’s obligation is instead to complete within a reasonable time. It is a descriptive common law expression arising from case law (often via the prevention principle), not defined by legislation. Time commonly becomes at large where employer‑risk events (such as instructions, variations or other acts of prevention) delay progress and there is no effective extension‑of‑time (EOT) mechanism, or the EOT machinery cannot operate on its wording. The stated completion date then falls away and the employer cannot levy liquidated...

Time at large in construction: causes, prevention principle, extension of time, consequences for liquidated damages, reasonable time, time bars, concurrent delay, and drafting to avoid time being set at large

Published by a LexisNexis Construction expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note explores the notion of 'Time at large' in the context of completing works under a construction contract, setting out what the term signifies, how it can arise, and the consequences of time becoming at large (including what amounts to a 'reasonable time' for Completion)...

What does 'time at large' mean?

Ordinarily, construction contracts require the contractor to finish the works by a stated Completion date (or within a defined timeframe). If that deadline is not met, and the contract does not permit an extension to cover the relevant cause(s) of delay, the contractor will typically be liable to pay liquidated Damages (known as LADs or LDs) to the employer. Where, however, the provisions dealing with time for completion are absent or deficient, so that the employer cannot insist on completion by a particular contractual date, time is said to be 'at large'. When time is at large, there is no enforceable completion date under the contract, and the contractor is then bound only by an implied obligation to complete the works within a 'reasonable time'...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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