Contract Practice Flashcards
Contract practice
- Are you aware of the updates to JCT?
a. 2024 updates recently published.
b. More gender-neutral language
c. Captures updates to the – Building Regulations & Building Safety Act
d. Target cost contract (TCC)
12. What Acts are there relating to construction?
a. Building Safety Act 2022
b. Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020
c. Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996
d. The Procurement Act 2024
e. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
f. Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
- What is the construction act (housing grants construction and regen)?
a. Ensure payments are made promptly throughout the supply chain, and easier dispute resolution.
- Do clients have to use the new suite?
a. No, it will take time to implement and for client legal teams to assess.
- How would you deal with ordering materials upfront?
a. Off-site materials bond
b. Vesting
- What other bond are there?
a. Retention bond, advance payment bond
- When might you or might not use a performance bond?
a. Technically shouldn’t be needed, as the tender has proved the contractor to be capable, and it adds additional cost. However it is good when the contractor is new to the client, or where there is a potential risk.
- What contracts are you aware of and when would you use them?
a. I am aware of JCT D&B which would be used where the client wanted the contractor to be responsible for design maybe where the design had not yet been completed, and there was more urgency to get to site.
b. I am aware of JCT SBC and IC which are used where the client wants to retain control of the design and handle that risk and where the design is needed to be completed to RIBA 4 prior to entering the contract.
c. I am aware of JCT MW, which is a simpler contract used on smaller scale projects, or those of relatively simple work
- What are the types of contract sums you can get (basis of cost)?
a. Lump sum - only adjusted by variations
b. Reimbursable (Prime Sum) - don’t know what the final account will be, paid actual.
c. Re-measurable - approximate quants are remeasured fully on site
- What are some typical contract amendments?
a. The contract can be amended in many ways, one is amending the payment terms in the JCT D&B contract for example from the standard 14 days payment to 21 days for example. This is often to give the client more time to organise payment, as 14 days may not be enough time to deal with internal paperwork.
b. Another example is amending the defects rectification period from the standard 6 months in the JCT D&B to 12 months, this gives more time for any defective workmanship to show, across all seasons and weather, as the 6 months doesn’t do this.
c. Retention, from 3 to 5 percent
- What is the limitation period for a contract signed as a deed?
a. 12 years
- What is the limitation period for a contract signed under hand?
a. 6 years
- What does it mean if the LAD’s section in the contract is written as ‘nil’
a. there are no LAD’s to apply
- What if the LAD’s section is left blank with no rate?
a. This technically means they are unlimited and the client can apply any amount, this would likely lead to disputes.
- What is an example of novation and assignment?
a. Assignment of rights under collateral warranty to a different tenant
b. Novation of design team under D&B contract
- What are the sections of the JCT?
a. Agreement (Companies)
b. Recitals (Summary)
c. Articles (Contract Sum, QS, CA, Architect, PD, adjudication)
d. Contract Particulars
e. Attestation (Signing)
f. Conditions (9 Clauses)
- What is subrogation?
a. This is when an insurance company steps into the shoes of the insurer and pursues a claim against a third party.
- Other than works insurance (the options), what other insurances are required?
a. Contractors public liability – injury to persons or property
b. Liability of Employer
c. Works insurance (Option A B C)
- What is opening up of works/testing/work not in accordance?
a. CA/EA/Architect can open up works if not in accordance, allowing instruction to repair defective work
- When would you use JCT Intermediate Contract?
a. Projects that don’t exceed 1 year, simple in content, and where works are already designed.
- When would you use JCT SBC?
a. Works are already designed, if it is a lump sum form.
- On the Teaching and learning centre refurb you drafted the JCT D&B 2016, why was this the Contract that was chosen?
a. The design was at stage 3 and there was a deadline to have the works completed in the summer period prior to students coming back, therefore I advised my client to go down a D&B route, as this is what they were familiar with, and it suited the project and programme needs best, and the key project requirements were already achieved in the current design.
- If the Client asked for advice on which Clauses to amend within a Contract, which Clauses would you advise on?
a. I have previously advised clients that typical amendments are the retention percent (from 3-5 in JCT). The rectification period from 6 – 12 months in JCT D&B/SBC. And the payment dates changed from 14 – 21 days or other to allow the client additional time to make payments
- Your client is having an airport refurb carried out, how do you advise on whether sectional possession or partial possession should be selected?
a. Either can be selected, as they both achieve the same thing, however sectional completion is pre agreed and put in the contract. If the sections are not yet fully known or decided then partial possession can be used and agreed post contract, however sectional completion is more contractual and all parties are aware of it and so can plan around the sections, therefore it depends on the works.
- What is your understanding of Employer’s Requirements and why are they important?
a. It is what the client wants for the project
- What are the insurance options in JCT, and when have you advised on them?
a. Insurance A – New Builds – Contractor
b. Insurance B – New Builds – Employer
c. Insurance C – Existing Builds – Employer
d. Advised on Innovation Centre 7 to use option A as the client wanted the contractor to hold the policy due to lack of experience. Also the contractor had rolling offers with insurance providers so was able to provide a better price on the policy.