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
Arbitration analysis: In Lancor Holdings Ltd v Prem Kumar Menon, the Supreme Court of India held that while mere delay in rendering an arbitral award...
Practice Directions for the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) were amended on 22 December 2025. The...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published its third quarterly report on progress in implementing the Grenfell...
The Scottish Government has published a Part 2 progress report setting out its response and next steps following the July 2024 Stage 1 consultation on...
Tax analysis: The government is legislating in Finance Bill 2026 to implement new anti-fraud measures in the construction industry scheme (CIS). Ian...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
Contractual damages—general principlesThis Practice Note considers the general principles of recovering damages for contractual breach, starting with...
Fire safety developments following the Grenfell Tower fireThis Practice Note sets out key developments in relation to fire safety following the...
Construction horizon scannerThis horizon scanner, formerly known as the ‘Construction future developments tracker’, identifies key upcoming changes...
Landfill disposals tax (Wales)What is landfill disposals tax?Landfill disposals tax is an environmental tax administrated by the Welsh Revenue...
Active bribery, passive bribery and bribing foreign public officialsThe Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) criminalises:•bribing another person (active...
Latest Construction Precedents
Line of Junction Notice–new wall astride the boundaryTo [Insert Adjoining Owner]Of [Adjoining Owner’s main address][Insert Date]The Party Wall etc Act...
Property development agreementDate [date]Parties1[name of Owner] [of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [number]) whose...
Line of Junction Notice–new wall wholly on your own landTo [insert Adjoining Owner]Of [insert Adjoining Owner’s main address][Insert Date]The Party...
Forward funding agreementDate [date]Parties1[name of Fund] [of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [number]) whose...
Development management agreementdate [date]Parties1[name of Company] [of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [number])...
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
IFC
Issued for construction
Preliminaries
The section of the bills of quantities that summarises the terms of the construction contract and the general services to be provided by the contractor. Often referred to as ‘prelims’. Will include items such as office overheads, temporary works, telephone and electricity and removal of rubbish.
Section 38 agreement
An agreement under section 38 of the Highways Act 1980, whereby a road that has been constructed (or is to be constructed) becomes a highway maintainable at the public expense.
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