This Practice Note looks at the insurance provisions in the main forms of JCT contract. It focuses on the Contractor’s liabilities and obligations to insure under the JCT Design and Build Contract (DB) 2024 and JCT Standard Building Contract (SBC) 2024. Any differences in clause numbering between the two forms are highlighted in this Practice Note, otherwise the clause numbers apply to both the DB and SBC forms. Some changes were made to the insurance provisions in the 2024 and 2016 editions against those in the 2011 editions, including changes to the professional indemnity insurance provisions in the 2024 version and in the 2016 version moving much of the text from Schedule 3 into the main conditions and the introduction of the C.1 Replacement Schedule, see Practice Note: JCT contracts 2016—what's changed? [Archived] and News Analysis: The JCT Design and Build Contract 2024—what’s changed? For details of how insurance and risks are dealt with in the NEC3/NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract, see Practice Note: NEC contracts—insurance. For FIDIC contracts, see Practice Notes: FIDIC contracts 2017—insurance and FIDIC contracts

This Practice Note provides an overview as to how the contract price is calculated in JCT contracts and how it may be adjusted. It also provides guidance on the process for determining interim payments and the final payment. It focuses on the payment provisions found in section four of the Standard Building Contract With Quantities 2011/2016/2024 and the Design and Build Contract 2011/2016/2024. As JCT contracts are largely intended for domestic use, their payment provisions comply with the requirements of Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (HGCRA 1996). The payment provisions of the 2011 and 2016 editions take account of the changes made to the HGCRA 1996 by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (for example, the introduction of pay less notices). For more information, see Practice Note: Interim payments in construction contracts. For information in relation to the NEC contracts, see Practice Note: NEC contracts—price and payment. Contract price—lump sum contracts Lump sum contracts, under which the contract sum is agreed before the work commences, tend to be

The JCT contracts contain detailed provisions for termination, setting out the grounds on which the parties may terminate and the consequences thereof. Under the JCT contracts, it is the Contractor’s employment that is terminated, rather than the contract itself. This distinction is designed to ensure that the post-termination provisions contained in the contract survive termination. This Practice Note refers to the termination clauses in the JCT Standard Building Contract (SBC) With Quantities 2011, 2016 and 2024 editions, which are set out in section 8 of those contracts. Comparable provisions are found within the other JCT contracts. It should be read alongside Practice Note: Termination of a construction contract. Termination should always be considered very carefully. If the termination is wrongful, or the correct procedures are not followed to the letter, the purported termination may amount to a repudiatory breach of contract by the party seeking to terminate. In any event, if the other party disputes the purported termination, the terminating party could find itself involved in a costly dispute. In this regard, it is important to be aware that,

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: • proceed regularly and diligently with the Works • 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: • if the Contractor is granted an extension of time • in the case of a Variation or acceleration, as a result

This Practice Note looks at how variations are dealt with under the main forms of JCT contract. For a wider discussion on variations, including reference to relevant case law, see Practice Note: What is a variation on a construction project? This Practice Note looks at the JCT Design and Build Contract (DB) and JCT Standard Building Contract (SBC) (the With Quantities version). This Practice Note covers the 2024 editions of those contracts. If there is any difference in clause numbering between the editions this is highlighted, otherwise the clause references are the same in both editions. See also News Analyses: JCT 2024 Standard Building Contracts and Sub-Contracts released and The JCT Design and Build Contract 2024—what’s changed? For details of how variations are dealt with under NEC contracts, see Practice Note: NEC contracts—variations. In relation to the FIDIC contracts, see Practice Notes: FIDIC contracts 2017—variations and FIDIC contracts (pre-2017 editions)—variations. What constitutes a Variation (or Change) under JCT contracts? After entering into a JCT contract, the Employer may instruct a variation for many reasons, eg where the Employer decides

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has hosted its annual Povey Lecture, Director of Decarbonisation and Innovation in Building Structures, Diego Padilla-Philipps, delivered a presentation titled ‘Human-Centred, Evidence-Based, Augmented Intelligence in Building Design.’ Padilla-Philipps outlined how artificial intelligence (AI), integrated within a human-centred framework, can transform the building industry by optimising early-stage design, enhancing creativity, developing innovative materials, and improving sustainability.

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) hosted an online launch event on 10 September 2025 to provide further insights into its recently released Target Cost Contract family, part of the JCT 2024 Edition. The chair of the JCT, Karen Kirkham, and the vice-chair of the JCT Drafting Sub-Committee, John Riches, discussed the contract’s background, explaining the rationale for its development, how it fits within the 2024 suite, its intended benefits and the types of projects it is designed to support. They also explained the contract’s mechanics, including the payment mechanism and provided an overview of the accompanying Target Cost Sub-Contract. Riches noted that the contract is intended to address rising industry risk levels and to meet law firms’ demand for an alternative to existing target cost systems.

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has published guidance on contract publication. The guidance confirms that public sector bodies may upload signed JCT contracts to comply with obligations under the Procurement Act 2023. Where customers have used schedules of amendments rather than completing the contracts in full, only the relevant schedule may be uploaded. Blank JCT contracts, whether in digital or print format, may not be uploaded. The guidance also states that all copyright notices appearing on JCT contracts must be retained in any uploaded versions.

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has published two updated practice notes: (1) 'Deciding on the appropriate JCT contract 204' and (2) 'BIM and JCT Contracts 2024'. The 'Deciding on the appropriate JCT contract' practice note has been updated to reflect the JCT 2024 Edition, including reference to the forthcoming JCT Target Cost Contract. It also provides guidance on selecting suitable main and sub-contracts within the JCT 2024 contract suite for specific projects and advises against amending standard form contracts without appropriate professional advice, due to the risk of unintended legal consequences. The 'BIM and JCT Contracts' practice note aims to improve understanding of the legal and contractual issues associated with Building Information Modelling (BIM). It offers practical advice for project participants and their professional advisers, encouraging a collaborative and constructive approach to using BIM in conjunction with the JCT Design and Build Contract 2024.

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has published user checklists for the 2024 versions of the JCT Minor Works (MW) and Minor Works with contractor’s design (MWD) contracts. These checklists are intended to be used by parties to ensure that they complete the agreement correctly.

On 4 September, the JCT released the 2024 editions of its Consultancy Agreement (Public Sector) 2024 (CA 2024), Pre-Construction Services Agreement (General Contractor) 2024 (PCSA 2024), and the Pre-Construction Services Agreement (Specialist) 2024 (PCSA/SP 2024). Reference copies of these documents will be available on Lexis+® Construction, on our sub-topic 'JCT contracts 2024' (found within the main topic, 'Standard form construction contracts').

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has released the 2024 edition of its Measured Term Contract (MTC), alongside an associated guide. A reference copy of the JCT MTC 2024, along with the MTC Guide 2024, will shortly be available on Lexis+ Construction, under the Standard form construction contracts sub-topic ‘JCT contracts 2024'.