Contract Practice Flashcards
What forms a contract?
offer, acceptance, consideration and intent to create legal relations.
What is offer and acceptance?
An offer is a statement or action that indicates a willingness to agree. Acceptance is an agreement to the terms of an offer by the other party
How can a contract be used as a tool to maintain party relationships?
Contracts prevent disputes between parties
At a basic level, contracts are a tool that helps businesses to agree more. Since contracts are a collection of terms that parties have reached a consensus on, they are very effective at preventing conflict and contractual disputes in the future.
When would JCT be used?
JCT contracts are commonly used in the private sector as employers and contractors are used to it. Private commercial property developers generally prefer the JCT because they can achieve greater control by transferring risk as far as possible, which helps to meet the expectations of their funders
When would NEC be used?
NEC focuses on pro-active risk management rather than on what happens when things go wrong. This can greatly benefit all parties to save cost and time by being pro-active rather than re-active
JCT Benefits?
It minimises transaction cost. It allocates risk in a fair and recognisable way. Standard forms are designed in a way that is comprehensive, and cover most of the pitfalls which surround contractual relations in the building industry.
NEC Benefits
With a complex structure of options, the NEC3, arguably, offers greater flexibility and adaptability; it is a form of contract that benefits from having a sophisticated client. NEC3 provides clarity, simplicity and flexibility of use
What is the difference between shorter form, Longer form and JCT D&B Subcontract?
Shorter Lower Value less risk no design
Longer Larger value no design
D&B Design risk
What documentation forms part of your Subcontracts?
- SC Enquiry
- Particulars
- Conditions
- Contract drawing list
- ERs
- Inclusions
- CPs
- Code of conduct
- Confidentiality agreement
- Due diligence review
- Supply chain contacts
What is discussed when you chaired prestart meetings?
- Attendees
- Particulars
- Compliance
- Basis of quotation
- Scope of works
- Attendances
- Access to site
- Programme
- H&S
- Quality
- Defect Rectification
- Commercial
- Tax and Insurance
- Data Protection
What is included in your interim valuations?
- Date
- Prelims
- Measured works
- Fees
- MOS
- Prov Sums
- OH&P
- Previously certified
What clauses were referred to your extension of time claims?
Clause 2.26.14
What process is undertaken when reviewing contracts?
During contract review, the document will be examined to confirm that it contains all the elements of a contract, that everything is stated clearly and accurately, without errors or discrepancies, free of potential conflicts, and important, with acceptable terms to help the parties avoid getting locked into an unsatisfactory agreement
What is included on an NEC4 Early warning notice?
Section 15
Both parties must give early warning of anything that may delay the works, or increase costs as soon as they become aware of them. They should then hold an early warning meeting to discuss how to avoid or mitigate impacts on the project.
NEC 4 Compensation event
Clause 60
Cost
Delay/Time
Programme
Why is the programme issued with early warning notice?
required by contract
When was retention due?
On reciept of PC certificate
On receipt of certificate of MGD
What evidence was provided when you requested EoT for weather and Covid on Queenshill?
Substantiation
Time sheets
Breakdown of time lost
Covid tests
Weather report
How did you review weather data to prove it was above and beyond?
I looked at historic weather data for the time period and reviewed against actual days lost
With the Change order to the maintenance partnership what was this for?
Precontract services for pilot scheme for RMBC
OHP
What was the action taken following discovering that it would be only costs recovered up to the cost included in the change order?
As this was deemed low risk and small value we aimed to preserve client relationship
When MC works were let this was to be discussed with the client
Why was the retention not released for the contractor?
As per the contract retention was due to be released on receipt of making good defects
Defects were still outstanding
What is a vesting certificate?
A vesting certificate or agreement for construction goods, plant or materials, in letter form, used to confirm that ownership of the goods, plant or materials will transfer from one party to another on payment
Why were fire doors off site requested to be paid?
Manaufactured prior to delivery
Behind programme and unable to store on site
What is the process of advising your line manager the type of subcontract to be used?
assess the requirements of the works package and level of risk advise accordingly
Considerations when selecting the appropriate construction contract?
As per JCT guidance: Deciding on the apt JCT Contract 2016:
- Project nature and scope of works
- Measure of control, risk assessment
- Accountability
- Contractor appointment
- Certainty of final cost
- Programme
- Changes during construction
- Relationships with supply chain / appointing contractor
[depends on procurement route chosen]
What does JCT stand for?
- Joint Contracts Tribunal
What are some of the contracts in the JCT family?
- Standard
- Intermediate
- Minor works
- Major project
- Design and Build
- Management
- Construction management
- JCT Constructing Excellence
- Measured Term
- Prime Cost
- Repair and Maintenance
- Homeowner
What are key project characteristics which influence which JCT contract is used?
- Size, value and type of project
- Need for contract design
- Final cost certainty
- Appetite for risk ownership and risk transfer
- Employer experience
- Programme requirements
When would you use the JCT Minor Works Contract?
- Smaller, basic construction projects with work of a simple nature
- Projects procured via traditional method
Why would you use the JCT intermediate contract?
- Construction projects involving all recognised trades and skills of the industry
- Fairly detailed contract provisions without building complex building services or other specialist work
- Suitable when projects procured via traditional method
When would you use the JCT standard building contract?
- Large / complex construction projects where detailed contract provisions needed
- Suitable when projects procured via traditional method
- Employer responsible for design, though have optional provision for CDP if appointed contractor responsible for design of specific parts of the works
- Works can be carried out in sections
When would you use the JCT major project construction contract?
- Large-scale construction projects where major works involved
- For employers that regularly procure large-scale construction work- to be carried out by contractors with experience and ability to take greater risk
- Suitable for projects procured via D&B method
When would you use the JCT design and build contract?
Construction project where contractor does both design and construction work; varies in scale but generally suitable where detailed provisions needed
Key features of the JCT D&B contract?
- Scale varies greatly
- Contractor completes design based on employer’s concept / produces and completes design from outset
- Design requirements go beyond traditional contract with CDP
- Employer normally uses agent to administer contract
- Works can be carried out in sections
When would you use the JCT prime cost contract?
- Designed for projects requiring early start (alterations / urgent repair work)
- Nature and extent of works unknown until project underway - full design docs not complete until work has commenced
- Suitable for projects procured via traditional method - uses cost reimbursement or cost-plus payment structure
When would you use JCT MTC?
Measured term contract
- Employers with regular flow of maintenance, minor works and improvements and projects they want to be carried out by single contractor over specified period
- Suitable for projects procured via traditional method, using measurement payment structure
When would you use the JCT construction management contract?
- Employer appoints several trade contracts to carry out the works
- Construction manager appointed to oversee works completion
- Projects procured via management method
What are the different certificates you are aware of under JCT forms of contract?
- Interim certificate
- Practical completion / sectional completion certificates
- Non completion certificates
- Certificate of making good
- Final certificate
3 ways that benefits can be transferred under JCT contracts?
- Collateral warranties
- Third party rights
- Assignment