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 Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has published two updated practice notes: (1) 'Deciding on the appropriate JCT contract 204' and (2) 'BIM and JCT...
This week's edition of Construction weekly highlights includes the announcement of the release date of the JCT Target Cost Contract, publication of...
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has updated its guidance on registered building inspectors, including new information on the permissible work...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has launched the National Housing Bank (NHB), a publicly owned subsidiary of Homes...
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), following the announcement of the membership of the Building Control Independent...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
Conservation areas in EnglandWhat are conservation areas?Conservation areas are parts of localities designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings...
Property development joint ventures—acting for a developerStructureReasons for the developer to form a JVThere are a number of reasons why the...
Negligence in constructionWhile tort claims are not as common in construction projects as breach of contract claims, they do still arise and it is not...
Real estate finance—conditions precedent and the mechanics of drawdown in development facilitiesMany of the usual conditions precedent (CPs) for a...
Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) in the private rented sector—snapshotThis Practice Note provides an overview of the minimum energy...
Latest Construction Precedents
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Standard Building Contract Without Quantities 2024The Contract comprises the completed Standard Building Contract...
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Standard Building Contract With Approximate Quantities 2024The Contract comprises the completed Standard Building...
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Intermediate Building Contract 2024Schedule of amendments to the jct intermediate building contract 2024The Contract...
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Intermediate Building Contract with contractor’s design 2024Schedule of amendments to the jct intermediate building...
JCT Design and Build Sub-Contract 2024—Form of Agreement and AmendmentsAgreement in relation to [insert brief details of the works/project] at [insert...
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
Cost plus
A cost plus contract (also known as cost reimbursable contract) is one where the contractor is paid the actual costs of carrying out the works plus an additional percentage or lump sum in respect of profit and overheads/preliminaries.
FOIA
The Freedom of Information Act 2000.
ICE
Institution of Civil Engineers
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