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
Construction analysis: The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) held that a contractor’s application for payment was not a valid default payment...
The Scottish Government has launched a Stage 2 consultation on proposals to deliver a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard through Scottish...
This week's edition of Construction weekly highlights includes a case in which the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) considered applications to...
The Welsh Government has published circular WGC 007/2026 to introduce the Building etc. (Amendment) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2026, which came into...
Construction analysis: The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) dismissed applications by the German defendants to set aside service out in three...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is not maintained. It tracks the progress of UK primary legislation introduced as part of the...
ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is not maintained.On 23 June 2016, the UK held a referendum on its membership of the EU, with a...
This practical guidance relates to the pre-Procurement Act 2023 regimeThis Practice Note contains guidance relevant to public procurement exercises...
The UK’s formal withdrawal from the EU took effect at 11 pm on 31 January 2020 (exit day). At this point, the withdrawal period under Article 50 TEU...
This Practice Note provides an overview of retained EU law as it applied from 2021–23, including the key definitions and concepts with reference to...
Latest Construction Precedents
This Deed is made on [insert date] day of [insert month] 20[insert year]Parties1[insert name] (Company Number [insert number]) whose registered office...
From: [insert name of Employer (the ‘Employer’)]To: [insert name of Contractor (the ‘Contractor’)]Date: [insert date]Dear [insert name of...
Schedule of amendments to the jct Construction Management trade contract 2016The Trade Contract comprises the completed Construction Management Trade...
This Settlement Agreement is made on [insert date] (the ‘Settlement Date’) between the following parties (each a ‘party’ and together the...
The Contract comprises the completed Standard Building Contract Without Quantities 2024 published by the JCT subject to the following...
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
CDM Regulations
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, SI 2015/51 apply to all works in excess of 30 days or 500 hours and are designed to improve safety in the construction industry.
Code of Measuring Practice
A guide for surveyors and valuers which provides detailed, precise definitions to assist surveyors/valuers with the accurate measurement of buildings/land, the calculation of the sizes (areas and volumes) and the accurate (and consistent) description or specification of land/buildings. It is published by the RICS.
Partnering
A principle used in major construction projects by which the parties subscribe to the principle of working together as if partners.
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