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
Commercial analysis: The High Court has delivered a pivotal ruling recently in Jaevee Homes Ltd v Fincham (t/a Fincham Demolition) which confirms that...
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data indicating a 1.2% increase in total construction output for Q2 2025. This was attributed...
This week's edition of Construction weekly highlights includes a guide to the Employer’s power to instruct under the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT)...
The Home Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have published a supplementary guidance on enforcing the...
Construction analysis: The government laid the draft Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations before parliament on 10 July 2025. The draft...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
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...
EPC contracts—employer remediesEPC contracts are normally set up so that the contractor accepts much of the risk inherent in the project. The employer...
Cumulative impact claimsThis Practice Note provides an introduction to cumulative impact claims and considers how multiple variations instructed on a...
Good faith in commercial agreementsThis Practice Note considers good faith in commercial agreements. It examines the concept of good faith and the...
Building Safety Act 2022—landlord and tenant cases trackerThe Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022) case tracker is a list of key landlord and...
Latest Construction Precedents
Schedule of Amendments to SBCC Standard Building Contract With Quantities for use in Scotland (SBC/Q/Scot) 2016The Contract comprises the completed...
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and Net Zero Provisions for Construction or Development Agreements (Madhavi’s Clause) (The Chancery Lane...
Climate Aligned Construction Waste Management (Francis’ Clause) (The Chancery Lane Project)This Precedent green clause imports climate aligned waste...
Construction Materials: Procurement (Willow's Clause) (The Chancery Lane Project)This Precedent green clause sets a carbon budget for construction...
Schedule of Amendments to JCT Design and Build Contract 2024The Contract comprises the completed Design and Build Contract 2024 Edition published by...
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
Golden Brick
A term used to describe a way of structuring a property purchase to avoid paying VAT. The effect is to reduce the rate of VAT payable to 0%.
Grubbing
The process of removing tree stumps and roots from the ground, carried out as part of the preparation of the site for before construction commences.
Relevant Event
In the JCT form of contract, an event which entitles the contractor to an extension of time in which to complete the works.
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