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 Technology and Construction Court gave a detailed judgment on...
Construction analysis: The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) partially enforced an adjudicator’s decision concerning the validity of payment and...
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has published its strategic plan for the period from April 2026 to March 2027. The plan focuses on five priority...
Homes England has published updated versions of the Grant Funding Agreement, Deed of Trust and Duty of Care Agreement used in the Cladding Safety...
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has updated its Building Safety Act information centre to announce that it will hold the RICS...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
This Practice Note explains what is meant by applicable law, also referred to in differing circumstances as governing law, proper law or the choice of...
IntroductionThis Practice Note provides a list of the key documents typically seen at financial close of a merchant waste to energy project, with a...
Climate change and sustainability are now central issues for the property sector. The built environment is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG)...
This Practice Note looks at what to take into account when considering expert evidence and the need for it. It also provides guidance on the...
This Practice Note looks at costs insurance (sometimes known as legal expense insurance (LEI)), which is the means by which an insured person is...
Latest Construction Precedents
Schedule of amendments to the jct intermediate building contract with contractor’s design 2024The Contract comprises the completed Intermediate...
Agreement in relation to [insert brief details of the works/project] at [insert address of works] (incorporating (inter alia) the JCT Intermediate...
Schedule of services—Architect (Design and build procurement)The Architect shall:General responsibilities (Stages 0–7)•[act as Lead Consultant in...
Schedule of services—Architect (Traditional procurement)The Architect shall:General responsibilities (Stages 0–7)•[act as Lead Consultant in relation...
Agreement in relation to [insert brief details of the works/project] at [insert address of works] (incorporating (inter alia) the JCT Standard...
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 licence
A licence allowing a contractor to go on site in order to carry out works. Usually required where the employer does not actually own the site.
Irrevocable licence
A licence which cannot be revoked or cancelled—for example, a licence to use design documents over which the licensor has intellectual property rights.
Performance Deductions (see also Availability deductions)
Deductions made from the Unitary Charge if the facility is not Available or services are not provided to the required standard.
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