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
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation to review the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Access to Infrastructure)...
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has published its latest Public Procurement Review Service (PPRS) results, covering cases from January 2018 to...
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has published draft London Plan Guidance proposing time-limited changes to cycle parking requirements, housing...
The International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) has signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Contractors Authority...
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has published its response to the Chancellor's Autumn Budget delivered on 26 November 2025. The budget...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
Types of development structuresChoosing a structureUnless promoted by a single entity (whether or not with mortgage funding) many developments take...
Insurance Act 2015 (IA 2015)—essentialsIntroduction to the Insurance Act 2015The Insurance Act 2015 (IA 2015) received Royal Assent on 12 February...
Building Safety Act 2022—Insurance issuesThe Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022) introduced the biggest overhaul of building regulation in forty...
Starting a claim in an energy dispute—a practical guideThere are numerous potential complexities involved in disputes arising within the energy...
Listed building regime and listed building consent in EnglandPurpose of listingThe main purpose of listing is to protect buildings of special...
Latest Construction Precedents
Heads of terms—corporate joint ventureDate: [insert date]Subject to contract1Introduction1.1These heads of terms set out the principal terms and...
Acceleration AgreementDate [insert date of Agreement]Parties1[insert name of Employer] of [insert address] incorporated in England and Wales with...
Precedent s 106 agreementThis Agreement is made on [insert date] of [insert month] [insert year]BETWEEN1[insert name], of [insert address]...
Step-in rights clauseNote: This clause uses the following defined terms which are already included in the Lexis+® UK Precedent Property development...
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Measured Term Contract 2024Schedule of amendments to the jct MEASURED TERM contract 2024The Contract comprises the...
Latest Construction Q&As
Featured Construction content
What are preliminaries in a construction contract?
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...
Time of the essence—construction contracts
Time of the essence—construction contractsWhat does time of the essence mean?Where time is 'of the essence' it means that the stated time for...
Product liability insurance for the construction industry
Product liability insurance for the construction industryThis Practice Note looks at product liability insurance from the perspective of those engaged...
What is the difference between termination, determination and a voided contract?
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...
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...
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...
Concession contracts—materials and resources
Concession contracts—materials and resourcesA concession is a form of public private partnership (PPP). It is a long term contractual arrangement...
Professional indemnity insurance in construction projects
Professional indemnity insurance in construction projectsThis Practice Note looks at professional indemnity (PI) insurance in the context of...
What is the difference between joint insured, co-insured and composite insured?
Target cost contracts on construction projects
Target cost contracts on construction projectsWhat is a target cost contract?A target cost contract is a type of cost reimbursable contract under...
Defects liability period and rectification of defects
Defects liability period and rectification of defectsIt is common in construction projects for defects to manifest or appear in the works. Most...
Retention of payment in construction contracts
Retention of payment in construction contractsThe concept of a retention from interim payments is commonplace in commercial construction contracts,...
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...
Quantum in construction claims
Quantum in construction claimsThis Practice Note looks at some of the key considerations that may need to be taken into account when a party to a...
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...
Sub-contractors' insurance
Sub-contractors' insuranceThis Practice Note looks at how sub-contractors’ liability is typically covered by insurance and considers:•difficulties...
Associated legal terms
Building Contract
The contract between an employer and a contractor for the carrying out and completion of building works. The building contract may be referred to as the main contract, particularly when sub-contractors are to be engaged.
O&M manuals
Operation and maintenance manuals
Principal designer
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, SI 2015/51 require that, on projects with more than one contractor, the client must appoint a principal designer who is a designer on the project and who is in a position to have control over the design and planning stage.
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