About Construction Law
In construction, knowing the law is only part of the challenge. It’s also important to see things from a commercial perspective and understand the connection between the agreements you’re advising on and what happens on the ground – knowing when to push a point or let it go and enabling you to give your clients advice that they can work with. From design to build and beyond.
Issues in construction contracts
Applying statutory requirements when drafting and negotiating construction contracts throws up common problems and disputes. We cover HGCRA 1996 requirements plus other issues lke retention, set off, and escrow.
Construction disputes
In-depth guidance and precedent documents for enforcing and challenging the adjudicator’s decision. From correcting errors under the slip rule, to grounds for a jurisdictional challenge, this is the place to go.
Standard form construction contracts
We publish JCT 2016 contracts and FIDIC contracts, and have related schedules of amendments for key forms. See other schedules of amendments, practice notes, and checklists for forms including NEC, MF/1, ICC.
Commercial perspective
Understand the connection between the agreements you’re advising on and what happens on the ground. Know when to push a point or let it go, and give your clients advice they can work with from design to build and beyond.
Topics We Cover
Latest Construction News
This week's edition of Construction weekly highlights includes a case in which the High Court enforced a loan agreement under the Contracts (Rights of...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has issued an updated notice clarifying its position following the First-tier...
Law360, London: Britain's highest court rejected on 21 May 2025 an attempt by an engineering company to escape a claim from a housing developer...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a working paper, proposing reforms to site thresholds in the planning...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has launched a technical consultation, seeking views on the introduction of a...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
Energy storage—construction issuesIntroductionThe advances in energy storage technology, as well as the decreasing cost of the technology, are...
Planning conditions—key pointsWhat are planning conditions?Planning conditions are imposed on the grant of planning permission to regulate...
PPC2000—Pricing and RiskIntroductionProject Partnering Contracts were conceived and drafted by Professor David Mosey PhD of King’s College, London...
Materials and workmanship in construction contractsMaterials, goods and workmanshipThe materials and workmanship used by a contractor for a...
Repair and maintenance contractsThis Practice Note looks at the nature of repair and maintenance contracts, how they are used and the different types...
Latest Construction Precedents
Positive acknowledgement of 3/6 metre noticeTo [insert Building Owner]Of [insert Building Owner’s main address]The Party Wall etc Act...
Heads of terms—corporate joint ventureDate: [insert date]Subject to contract1Introduction1.1These heads of terms set out the principal terms and...
Interest on late payment clause1Interest on late paymentIf either party fails to make payment in accordance with this Agreement the other party shall...
Redfern schedule—arbitrationClaimant’s description of documentation requestedClaimant’s position on relevance and materialityRespondent’s response to...
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Intermediate Building Contract with contractor’s design 2016Schedule of amendments to the jct intermediate building...
Latest Construction Q&As
Featured Construction content
What is a variation on a construction project?
What is a variation on a construction project?A variation (sometimes referred to as a change) is an alteration to the scope of work originally...
Escrow accounts and escrow agreements
Escrow accounts and escrow agreementsThis Practice Note examines why parties involved in a construction project may enter into an escrow agreement (or...
Where a builder working on property A causes damage to a neighbouring property, who is liable to the neighbour for that damage, the employer (who owns property A) or the builder?
What is practical completion?
What is practical completion?Practical completion marks the end of the construction period of a project, when the works are 'finished' and the...
Build Operate Transfer (BOT) contracts
Build Operate Transfer (BOT) contractsThe Public Private Partnership (PPP) models are a popular way for governments to involve private investment,...
Differences between adjudication and other forms of dispute resolution
Differences between adjudication and other forms of dispute resolutionThis Practice Note identifies some of the key differences between adjudication...
Time at large in construction contracts
Time at large in construction contractsThis Practice Note examines the concept of ‘time at large’ in relation to the completion of works under a...
Provisional sums
Provisional sumsWhat are provisional sums?There is no precise standard definition of provisional sum but it is generally understood to refer to an...
Scott Schedules in construction disputes
Scott Schedules in construction disputesScott Schedules are often very useful in construction disputes. They help to identify the key issues between...
The final account in construction and engineering contracts
The final account in construction and engineering contractsWhat is the final account?The expression 'final account' refers to the consolidated...
Fluctuations in construction contracts
Fluctuations in construction contractsWhat are fluctuations?Fluctuations provisions are clauses in construction contracts that allow the contract sum...
Breach of natural justice in adjudication
Breach of natural justice in adjudicationProduced in association with 4 Pump CourtPrinciples of natural justiceIf an adjudicator breaches the rules of...
New home warranties
New home warrantiesThis Practice Note looks at the principal types of policy or guarantee (other than latent defects insurance) that are currently on...
Quantum meruit in construction
Quantum meruit in constructionThis Practice Note looks at what quantum meruit is, the most common situations where a quantum meruit claim may arise in...
Roles of professional consultants—construction projects
Roles of professional consultants—construction projectsOn construction projects there may be a large number of professional consultants involved, all...
JCT contracts—variations
JCT contracts—variationsThis Practice Note looks at how variations are dealt with under the main forms of JCT contract. For a wider discussion on...
JCT—interpreting the lists of Relevant Events and Relevant Matters
JCT—interpreting the lists of Relevant Events and Relevant MattersThe provisions for Relevant Events and Relevant Matters are central to the...
Fitness for purpose in construction contracts
Fitness for purpose in construction contractsA contractor or consultants’ standard of care in relation to design is a common source of disagreement...
Associated legal terms
Market testing
Procedure for re-pricing the provision of works or services on a periodic basis by means of competitive tender.
NEC
New Engineering Contract (NEC) is an industry standard form devised by the NEC group which produces a standard form of contract known as the NEC 3 for the most recent editions.
PF2
Private Finance 2—this was the successor scheme to PFI and is another form of public-private partnership established following consultation in 2012. In 2018 it was announced that PF2 would not longer be used on new projects.
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