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 publication of the London Local Remediation Acceleration Plan to accelerate remediation...
Planning analysis: The government has published a consultation proposing to make changes to existing permitted development (PD) rights in England...
Construction analysis: The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) refused to grant summary judgment enforcing an adjudicator’s award of more than...
On 9 June 2026, Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) published guidance called 'Using AI in submissions to PEDW', which sets out how...
Transport for London (TfL) has launched a consultation on proposals to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via...
Latest Construction Practice Notes
Purpose of environmental searches and investigationsEnvironmental investigations are carried out for several reasons. The cost, detail and scope of an...
Principles of natural justiceIf an adjudicator breaches the rules of natural justice during the adjudication then the decision may be a nullity if the...
What is design and build?At its simplest, design and build (D&B):•is a project delivery system under which a single entity (the D&B contractor)...
This Practice Note considers the test for an employer’s vicarious liability in tort, which arises from certain legal relationships and in relation to...
Administration is a procedure designed to give a company breathing space, with a view to either a rescue or a restructure or to allow for a better...
Latest Construction Precedents
To [Insert Adjoining Owner]Of [Adjoining Owner’s main address][Insert Date]The Party Wall etc Act 1996Notice of proposed works—Line of Junction...
These Precedent green clauses are for insertion into construction contracts to adapt sustainable practices and net zero aligned provisions from the...
This Precedent green clause imports climate aligned waste management practices into traditional and design and build construction contracts. This...
This Precedent green clause sets a carbon budget for construction projects, along with the financial budget, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This...
1Interest on late paymentIf either party fails to make payment in accordance with this Agreement the other party shall be entitled, in addition to any...
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
Building Schools for the Future (BSF)
Government programme launched in 2004, for the rebuilding or refurbishment of every secondary school in England. The government announced the end of the BSF programme in 2010.
Project monitor
A professional, often engaged by a funder, to monitor the progress of construction works in order to protect its investment. Also known as a monitoring surveyor.
Time bar
In construction, time bars commonly require a party (often the contractor) to comply with a notice provision within a specified period. If the provision is a condition precedent, the party may lose its entitlement (for example, to an extension of time) if it fails to meet the necessary deadline.
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