This Practice Note considers the Contractor’s obligations in relation to time under the JCT 2011, 2016 and 2024 contracts. It looks at commencement of work, the obligation to proceed regularly and diligently, the Contractor’s programme, events entitling the Contractor to an Extension of time (known as Relevant Events), acceleration, and the obligation to complete by the Completion Date (including liability for liquidated damages for delay). It refers to clauses in the 2011, 2016 and 2024 editions of the JCT Standard Building Contract (SBC) With Quantities and the JCT Design and Build Contract (DB) 2024, but comparable provisions are found within the other JCT contracts.

The Contractor’s key obligations in relation to time (as set out in clause 2.4) are to:

1. •

   proceed regularly and diligently with the Works

2. •

   complete the Works (ie achieve practical completion) by the ‘Completion Date’

However, and as considered below, the ‘Completion Date’ can change during the course of the project:

1. •

   if the Contractor is granted an extension of time

2. •

   in the case of a Variation or acceleration, as a result