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 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced that the New Homes Accelerator programme has helped unlock and...
This week's edition of Construction weekly highlights includes analysis of a case in which the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) considered the...
Construction analysis: This combined adjudication enforcement and Part 8 claim considered various issues arising out of an adjudicator’s decision. The...
Law360, London: As 2025 passes the midyear point, international arbitration lawyers say they're keeping a close watch on trends, including how climate...
The Welsh Government has published guidance on electronic invoicing and payment under Part 4 of the Procurement Act 2023. It sets out implied terms...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
Energy performance certificates (EPCs)—what are they and when are they required?This Practice Note explains how energy performance in buildings is...
Encouraging fair payment in the construction industryHistoric Government initiativesLengthy contractual payment periods and late payment have long...
Construction case law tracker―2025For previous years, see the Construction case law tracker―2024, Construction law case tracker (2021–2023, with cases...
Court powers to order or encourage ADR in civil proceedingsThis Practice Note considers why and when parties should consider using alternative dispute...
Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE)This Practice Note explains early neutral evaluation (ENE), a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It provides...
Latest Construction Precedents
Land collaboration agreementdate [date]Parties1[name of Landowner A] [of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [number])...
Schedule of Amendments to SBCC Standard Building Contract With Quantities for use in Scotland (SBC/Q/Scot) 2016The Contract comprises the completed...
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and Net Zero Provisions for Construction or Development Agreements (Madhavi’s Clause) (The Chancery Lane...
Climate Aligned Construction Waste Management (Francis’ Clause) (The Chancery Lane Project)This Precedent green clause imports climate aligned waste...
Construction Materials: Procurement (Willow's Clause) (The Chancery Lane Project)This Precedent green clause sets a carbon budget for construction...
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
Final account
The final account is drawn up at the end of the project and shows how much the contractor will be paid for the works that were actually carried out, as opposed to those that were set out in the contract and taking into account all valid contractual claims. The final account may give rise to a balancing payment being made.
Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
The statutory body responsible for the enforcement of health and safety legislation and regulations (including the CDM Regulations) on construction sites.
Milestone
A key event during the course of the project. In some contracts, the contractor's entitlement to interim payment depends on completion of specified milestones.
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