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
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has updated its IIA Navigator database to include at least 44 new international investment...
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has announced the launch of the Coalition for Life Cycle Emissions Alignment and Reporting...
The SCC Arbitration Institute, in collaboration with the Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center (SVAMC), will host a webinar on the role of...
The Education Committee has published the government’s response to its ‘Seventh Report of Session 2024–26, Foundations of Learning: replacing RAAC and...
Construction analysis: The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) held that a letter of 8 November 2024, exchanged after SEI had called on a...
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...
This Practice Note considers selected common law issues that arise in relation to jurisdiction agreements under English law. It focuses on matters of...
This Practice Note considers why and when parties should consider using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve their civil dispute, both...
Choosing the joint venture vehicleA joint venture is not recognised under English law as a distinct legal concept. It is essentially a commercial...
This Practice Note explains how energy performance in buildings is regulated through Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), when EPCs are needed,...
Latest Construction Precedents
For further practical guidance on solar projects, including insights from a number of jurisdictions, see also textbook: Solar Power: A Practical...
This Agreement is made on the [insert date] day of [insert month] 20[insert year]Parties1[insert name of party], a company incorporated in [England...
Agreement in relation to [insert brief details of the works/project] at [insert address of works] (incorporating (inter alia) the NEC4 Engineering and...
1: Opening statement from senior management[Name of organisation] is committed to preventing acts of modern slavery and human trafficking from...
_______________________________________[NAME OF PROJECT]REFERENCE OF A DISPUTE TO THE DAABDAAB Reference No. [Number of...
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
Advance payment
A payment by an employer to cover a contractor's start up and procurement costs, usually before work starts on site.
Design and build (D&B)
A method of construction procurement where the contractor'>main contractor is responsible for the design of the works as well as construction.
Sub contractor
A specialist contractor employed by the contractor in any works.
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