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Existing structures risk: ‘Contract Clarifications’ prevail over amended clauses; employer liable under JCT DB 2016—drafting and interpretation lessons from Sisk v Capital & Centric (England and Wales)

Published on: 18 March 2025

Published by a LexisNexis Construction expert
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Risk allocation for existing structures—contract amendments and clarifications lead to confusion (Sisk v Capital & Centric) John Sisk and Son Ltd v Capital & Centric (Rose) Ltd [2025] EWHC 594 (TCC) What are the practical implications of this case?

This decision underlines that, especially when the employer has design and feasibility involvement, negotiating and settling bespoke provisions on risk apportionment can culminate in a complex final contractual posture, in which it is not straightforward to determine whether a particular risk sits inside or outside the ambit of a contractual carve‑out of responsibility. Employers and contractors alike should ensure the agreed division of risk is clearly and precisely articulated in the written contract and fully aligned across every operative provision, including any clarifications, schedules or similar documents incorporated into the agreement by reference. Parties must also check that the final copy of the contract contains all, and only, the documents they intended to include, with no missing elements and no unintended materials carried forward...

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