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 analysis of a decision of the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) on a remediation...
The Scottish Building Contract Committee (SBCC) has issued Errata Sheet No. 1 (August 2026) for the print edition of the Minor Works Building Contract...
The Welsh Government launched a public consultation on the revision of the National Development Framework (NDF), which governs the planning and...
The Scottish Government has published a summary of responses to its consultation, ‘Accelerating home-building in Scotland: a consultation on...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its guidance as applications opened for new Cladding Safety Scheme...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
This Practice Note sets out practical points that those advising on fire safety defect claims may wish to consider in preparation for such claims. It...
The government introduced the Building Safety Bill (the Bill) to Parliament in July 2021, intending to deliver on the recommendations and principles...
The government introduced the Building Safety Bill (the Bill) to Parliament in July 2021, intending to deliver on the recommendations and principles...
The events of the Grenfell Tower fire, which took place on 14 June 2017, are well-known. In the aftermath of this catastrophic incident, it emerged...
This Practice Note examines and provides commentary on the list of compensation events contained in clause 60 of the NEC3 and NEC4 engineering and...
Latest Construction Precedents
IN THE MATTER OF THE housing grants, construction and regeneration act 1996And IN THE MATTER OF AN ADJUDICATIONBEFORE [Name of...
Date [date]Parties1[name of Owner] [of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [number]) whose registered office is at]...
Note:•this Practice Note gives specific guidance on matters proceeding in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) under the provisions set out in...
Note:•this Precedent gives specific guidance on matters proceeding in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) under the provisions set out in CPR...
1Sub-Contractor warranties and undertakings1.1The Sub-Contractor warrants that:1.1.1the Sub-Contractor has observed and performed and shall continue...
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
Hot-tubbing
Hot-tubbing is another term for concurrent expert evidence, which is where both parties’ experts give their evidence together in the form of a discussion chaired by the judge. The judge puts the same questions to each expert in turn, rather than each expert being examined and cross-examined sequentially. Counsel can ask questions as well as the judge and experts can also challenge one another on their views. This method of giving evidence is becoming increasingly popular in the Technology and Construction Court.
Implied term
A term which is imported into a contract, in addition to those expressly agreed by the parties. There are three broad categories of implied terms—those implied by statute, by common law and by fact.
PFI
Private Finance Initiative. A government scheme to procure finance and operation (always) and often the design and construction of public sector projects by the private sector.
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