What are the fundamental elements that make up a contract?
Offer: An offer is a promise to enter into a contract on certain terms
Acceptance: Acceptance of terms of the offer.
Consideration: A form of payment or other benefit.
Capacity: intend to create a legally binding agreement
Intent: Intent to create a legally binding agreement
What is meant by express terms?
Express terms are those expressed (written) in the contract.
What is meant by implied terms?
Implied terms are those implied by statute i.e. Construction Act
What are the key characteristics of an NEC Option A contract?
Fixed price lump sum contract with an activity schedule
What are the key characteristics of an NEC Option C contract?
Target cost contract with an activity schedule
What are the key characteristics of an JCT ICD contract?
Form of contract for use on traditionally procured construction projects but with elements of Contractors Design Portion (CDP)
What are the key characteristics of an JCT D&B contract?
Form of contract for use on construction projects whereby the contractor takes on the responsibility for design.
What is the Construction Act?
The primary piece of legislation governing construction contracts.
What are the key requirements of the HGRCA 1998?
Introduced statutory adjudication and key payment provisions, including the requirement for payment notices and the restriction on pay-when-paid clauses
Have there been amendments to the HGRCA 1998?
Yes the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009
What were the key changes made by the LDEDCA 2009?
What are the benefits of using standard forms of contract?
Fair Risk Allocation – Ensures balanced risk distribution between parties.
Legally Tested – Terms are tried and tested through court precedents, reducing ambiguity.
Efficiency – Familiar contracts streamline negotiation and administration.
Cost & Time Savings – Reduces legal drafting costs and speeds up contract formation.
Compliance – Aligns with legal and regulatory requirements, ensuring enforceability.
What are the implications of using a form of contract that does not align with the procurement strategy?
What is the structure of a JCT ICD Contract?
Agreement:
* Recitals
* Articles
* Contract Particulars
* Attestation
Conditions:
* Section 1: Definitions and Interpretation
* Section 2: Carrying out the Works
* Section 3: Control of the Works
* Section 4: Payment
* Section 5: Variations
* Section 6: Injury, Damage and Insurance
* Section 7: Assignment, Performance Bonds and Guarantees and Collateral Warranties
* Section 8: Termination
* Section 9: Settlement of Disputes
Schedules:
* Schedule 1: Insurance Options
* Schedule 2: Named Sub-Contractors
* Schedule 3: Forms of Bonds
* Schedule 4: Fluctuations – Contribution, levy and tax fluctuations
* Schedule 5: Supplemental Provisions
* Schedule 6: Design Submission Procedure (ICD16 only)
What is the structure of a JCT D&B Contract?
Agreement:
* Recitals
* Articles
* Contract Particulars
* Attestation
Conditions:
* Section 1: Definitions and Interpretation
* Section 2: Carrying out the Works
* Section 3: Control of the Works
* Section 4: Payment
* Section 5: Changes
* Section 6: Injury, Damage and Insurance
* Section 7: Assignment, Performance Bonds and Guarantees and Collateral Warranties
* Section 8: Termination
* Section 9: Settlement of Disputes
Schedules:
* Schedule 1: Design Submission Procedure
* Schedule 2: Supplemental Provisions
* Schedule 3: Insurance Options
* Schedule 4: Code of Practice
* Schedule 5: Third Party Rights
* Schedule 6: Forms of Bonds
* Schedule 7: JCT Fluctuations Option A
What is the structure of an NEC Contract?
Contract Data
* Part 1 - Completed by client
* Part 2 - Completed by contractor
Conditions of Contract
* Core Clauses 1 - 9
* Main Option Clause A - F
* Dispute Avoidance Clauses W1 - W3
* Secondary Option Clauses: X1 - 29; Y(UK)1 - Y(UK)3; Z Clauses
* Schedule/Short Schedule of Cost Components
Prices
* Activity Schedule or BOQ
Client Scope
Scope provided by the contractor for its design
Site Information
What are ‘w’ clauses?
Dispute resoliton:
W1 - Adjudication: where HGCR Act does not apply. Stages 1-3 mandatory
W2 - Adjudication: where HGCR Act does apply. Stages 2-3 mandatory so as not to conflict with act.
W3 - DAB: where HGCR Act does not apply. Stages 1-3 mandatory includes options for dispute avoidance board.
3-stage approach to dispute resolution:
*1 - Senior representatives
*2 - Adjudication
*3 - Arbitration or litigation
What are ‘x’ clauses?
Optional clauses that the client can choose to include within the contract i.e X1 inflation, X5 sectional completion, X7 delay damages
What are ‘y’ clauses?
What are ‘z’ clauses?
Additional clauses
What is a bond?
What is a performance bond?
A form of security provided by a contractor to protect the employer if the contractor defaults on the contract.
What form of security could you recommend to a client instead of a performance bond?
A parent company guarantees the performance of its subsidiary and steps in if the subsidiary defaults.
What is a retention bond?