Blog

Digital technology will change the culture of the construction industry

/ JCT Povey Lecture, Latest News, Press Releases

A vision for the future of the construction industry and society as a whole was shared by Professor Alan Penn in delivering the JCT Povey Lecture 2019, entitled “Our digital future: space and place in a digital world”. Professor Alan Penn delivered his lecture to JCT delegates at the Local Government Association, London on Wednesday, 20 November 2019. Professor Alan Penn showed that throughout human history, developments in technology have impacted the way in which we have developed our built environment, and how we have…

Digital sub-contracts now available via JCT On Demand

/ JCT Product Updates, Latest News, Press Releases

JCT has made its entire range of sub-contracts available digitally, via its JCT On Demand service. The service enables sub-contract users to purchase and complete their documents in a user-friendly, secure online format. The documents available include the following: JCT Standard Building Sub-Contract (SBCSub) JCT Standard Building Sub-Contract with sub-contractor’s design (SBCSub/D) JCT Design and Build Sub-Contract (DBSub) JCT Intermediate Sub-Contract (ICSub) JCT Intermediate Sub-Contract with sub-contractor’s design (ICSub/D) JCT Intermediate Named Sub-Contract (ICSub/NAM) JCT Intermediate Named Sub-Contractor/Employer Agreement (ICSub/NAM/E) JCT Minor Works Sub-Contract with…

Professor Alan Penn to give the JCT Povey Lecture 2019

/ JCT Povey Lecture, Latest News, Press Releases

Alan Penn, professor of architectural and urban computing, The Bartlett, UCL, will give the JCT Povey Lecture 2019, entitled “Our digital future: space and place in a digital world” at the Local Government Association on Wednesday, 20th November 2019. Professor Alan Penn’s Povey Lecture will discuss the relationship between the real world of space and place and the virtual world of the digital, and how the successful alignment of these two realms across the construction supply chain are vital for the industry’s future. BIM, and in particular,…

JCT Training addresses need for quality contract education

/ Education, Skills and Students, Latest News, Press Releases

JCT Training, established over a year ago, is meeting an urgent need across the construction industry for education and training in contractual matters. The courses are the most authoritative range of training packages on JCT contracts available, authored and delivered by members of the JCT Council and Drafting Sub-Committee, who are responsible for drafting the JCT suite of contracts. Since the launch of the JCT Training programme, over 20 courses have been delivered, with a further 9 taking place throughout the remainder of 2019. With…

JCT chair to present at Construction Blockchain Consortium’s International Symposium

/ Latest News, Press Releases

JCT chair, Richard Saxon CBE, will give a presentation at the Construction Blockchain Consortium’s (CBC) inaugural International Symposium in Paris on 7th June. Richard’s presentation, titled “Industry Challenges: How Can Data Assist?”, looks at the difficulties faced by UK construction that may be overcome by new digital possibilities and where more disruptive change might be required. In addition, Richard will be taking part in an evening panel discussion on Blockchain and Contracts. The CBC’s first International Symposium is titled “Digital Trust in the Built Environment”…

JCT provides leadership and innovation with new BIM guidance and digital contract technology

/ BIM, JCT Product Updates, Latest News, Press Releases

JCT used its annual Construction Industry Parliamentary Reception, hosted at the House of Commons, to update the industry on two areas where it is providing innovation and leadership – BIM and digital contract technology. The recent publication of JCT’s latest practice note, BIM and JCT Contracts, furthers the understanding of BIM related legal and contractual issues, providing practical, clear guidance to project participants and their professional advisers. The practice note focuses on the use of BIM with the JCT Design and Build Contract (DB), as…

JCT releases new practice note – BIM and JCT Contracts

/ BIM, Latest News, Press Releases

JCT has released its latest practice note, BIM and JCT Contracts, providing up-to-date guidance for using JCT contracts on construction projects where BIM is to be used. The aim of BIM and JCT Contracts is to further the understanding of BIM related legal and contractual issues and suggest ways of approaching such issues in a collaborative and constructive way. It also provides practical, clear guidance to project participants and their professional advisers. The practice note focuses on the use of BIM with the JCT Design…

New JCT On Demand digital contracts now available

/ Latest News, Press Releases

JCT has released more of its 2016 Edition of contracts online via its JCT On Demand digital service. The contract families included are the JCT Standard Building Contract (Standard Building Contract With Quantities (SBC/Q), Standard Building Contract Without Quantities (SBC/XQ), and Standard Building Contract With Approximate Quantities (SBC/AQ)), and the JCT Intermediate Building Contract (Intermediate Building Contract (IC), and Intermediate Building Contract with contractor’s design (ICD)). Digital versions of the guides corresponding with each family, namely the Standard Building Contract Guide (SBC/G) and Intermediate Building…

JCT provides new guidance to public sector

/ Latest News, Press Releases, Public Sector

JCT has been providing new guidance for public sector clients on various aspects of JCT contracts, including contract selection, guidance on the JCT 2016 Edition, and specific contract families. The request from the public sector for further engagement with JCT comes amid an increase in the uptake of JCT contracts by a number of local authorities across the UK. JCT vice chair and vice chair of the JCT Drafting Sub-Committee, John Riches, has been at the forefront of the initiative by giving presentations to a…

JCT chair’s ‘Going Digital’ BIM guide for clients published

/ BIM, Latest News, Press Releases

‘Going Digital: A guide for construction clients, building owners and their advisers’, authored by JCT chair, Richard Saxon CBE, has been published by the UK BIM Alliance. Richard Saxon, who originally published the book ‘BIM for Construction Clients’ in 2016, has revisited the topic to further update and simplify it, providing this new, eight-step, plain language guide that enables construction clients and building owners to see the long-term value of a shift to a digital way of working, and to take practical measures within their…

Technology, governance and image essential to meet future infrastructure challenges

/ JCT Povey Lecture, Latest News, Press Releases

Embracing technology – in particular the power of data, concentrating on whole-life cycle sustainable outcomes, fostering a new culture through smart governance, and promoting the industry through positive projects are key to meeting the construction and infrastructure challenges of the future, according to Richard Threlfall, Head of Global Infrastructure, KPMG, addressing construction industry delegates at the sixteenth annual JCT Povey Lecture on Thursday, 8th November 2018. Richard Threlfall showed in his presentation, “Collaborative, Connected and Cool: How technology and governance could transform the impact, efficiency…

Richard Threlfall to give the JCT Povey Lecture 2018

/ JCT Povey Lecture, Latest News, Press Releases

Richard Threlfall, Partner and Global Head of Infrastructure, KPMG, will give the JCT Povey Lecture 2018, “Connected, Collaborative and Cool: How technology and governance could transform the impact, efficiency and image of the construction industry”, at the Local Government Association, London, on Thursday 8th November 2018. Richard has over 25 years’ experience in infrastructure policy, governance, strategy and financing, advising both public and private sector clients in the UK and overseas. He began his career as a civil servant at the UK Department for Transport…

Nigerian construction industry modernises by adopting updated JCT contracts

/ Latest News, Press Releases

The Nigerian construction industry is adopting up-to-date editions of JCT contracts as part of an initiative to modernise and adopt best practice. JCT contracts (albeit much earlier editions) have been adapted for use in Nigeria for some time, however this new initiative, spearheaded by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), aims to put a more formal process in place for the adoption of current JCT contracts and provide the Nigerian construction industry with training, advice and guidance about the up-to-date JCT editions and current…

Students show their inspiration in JCT Student Competition 2018

/ Latest News, Press Releases

Jamie Hume, of the University College of Estate Management, has won the JCT Student Competition 2018, with his video entry, “What inspires you about construction? – Leeds Corn Exchange”. The runner-up prize winner was Harry Simpson, Nottingham Trent University, with his photographic essay entry on Derelict Space Development. An accompanying selfie photo competition, running alongside the main competition was won by Max Hume of Ulster University. For the 2018 competition, entrants had to answer the question, “What inspires you about construction?” They could choose to focus on…

Build UK becomes a member of JCT

/ Latest News, Press Releases

The construction industry body, Build UK, has become a member of JCT. Build UK’s work focuses on delivering change and enabling the construction supply chain to improve the efficiency and delivery of construction projects, for the benefit of the UK economy. Their priority issues within the industry include improving business performance, increasing productivity, and recruiting and training talent. Representing a number of different organisation and specialisms within the industry, Build UK’s leadership and collaborative approach will be valuable assets within the JCT membership. JCT was formed…

L-R: JCT chair, Richard Saxon CBE, Eddie Hughes MP, JCT chief executive, Neil Gower

JCT celebrates range of new digital services at parliamentary reception

/ Latest News, Press Releases

JCT announced a major new development for the way construction contracts will be prepared in the digital age, with the launch of a range of new online contract services at their annual Construction Industry Parliamentary Reception, at the House of Commons on Wednesday 23rd May 2018. Many JCT customers will already be familiar with JCT’s On Demand service, which enables users to complete their contracts online in a seamless, online environment using an interactive Q&A process. JCT were today able to announce that a full…

JCT launches new range of training courses

/ Latest News, Press Releases

JCT Training is a new initiative from JCT, offering a range of training courses on JCT contracts, directly from the construction professionals involved in creating the JCT 2016 Edition. The new courses cover a range of topics, from an introduction to the JCT suite and choosing the appropriate JCT 2016 contract, to courses covering specific contract families and documents, to courses covering contractual and legal issues. The first group of training courses, available for June 2018 include: ‘Deciding on the appropriate JCT Contract 2016’ (13th…

JCT releases updated JCT Contracts Discovery education module

/ Latest News, Press Releases

JCT has revised and substantially updated its education and training module, JCT Contracts Discovery, providing an improved and more in-depth tool for those working in construction education. JCT Contracts Discovery is designed for education and training providers, in-house training teams, independent tutors, and students studying contractual matters as part of their construction-related courses. It is also a useful reference guide for construction professionals who are new to JCT and the processes involved in working with standard form construction contracts. The module sets new standards for…

JCT launches improved On Demand digital service

/ Latest News, Press Releases

JCT has launched its new On Demand digital service, taking in feedback from users to deliver a service with a range of enhancements and features, enabling easy completion of JCT contracts online. JCT On Demand seamlessly integrates with the JCT online store, www.jctltd.co.uk, so that users are able to purchase the JCT On Demand digital version of their contract, log in to their account and access their contract any time that is convenient to them. The new JCT On Demand service enables users to: Complete…

Met Office and JCT team up to provide new weather services for construction industry

/ Press Releases

The Met Office and JCT have launched a new range of weather services designed specifically to assist in project planning and post-project analysis. The products will work in conjunction with the weather clauses in the JCT suite of contracts. Two new products, Location Based Monthly Planning Averages and Location Based Downtime Summaries, provide project teams with trusted information to inform scheduling, design refinements and budget in the planning stage. They also deliver accurate information to aid resolution of disputes and requests for extension of time….

Raven’s Enclosure, Tower of London

/ Case Studies

Legend has it that the kingdom will fall should the ravens ever leave the Tower of London. It was extra important therefore to provide a safe and comfortable new habitat for the iconic birds – one that was sensitive to its historic environment and enhanced their role as a visitor attraction. With a careful and collaborative approach required, the JCT – Constructing Excellence Contract provided the contract solution. The ravens of the Tower of London are an important part of British cultural folklore and history,…

JCT releases Intermediate Building Contract 2016

/ JCT 2016 Edition, JCT Network, Press Releases

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has released the 2016 Edition of the Intermediate Building Contract family. The contracts are available to purchase via JCT’s online store, www.jctltd.co.uk. The 2016 Edition of the Intermediate Building Contract family includes the following documents: Intermediate Building Contract (IC) Intermediate Building Contract with contractor’s design (ICD) Intermediate Building Contract Guide (IC/G) Intermediate Sub-Contract Agreement (ICSub/A) Intermediate Sub-Contract Conditions (ICSub/C) Intermediate Sub-Contract with sub-contractor’s design Agreement (ICSub/D/A) Intermediate Sub-Contract with sub-contractor’s design Conditions (ICSub/D/C) Intermediate Named Sub-Contract Tender and Agreement (ICSub/NAM)…

Tony Giddings to talk collaboration at JCT Povey Lecture 2016

/ JCT Povey Lecture, Press Releases

“Collaboration: how Argent developed its successful way of working”, will be the title of the JCT Povey Lecture 2016, to be given by Tony Giddings at The Building Centre on Thursday 10 November 2016. Tony Giddings BSc FCIOB was executive director of Argent PLC from 1997, finally stepping down as partner this year. During this time he has been responsible for over £1.2bn of construction, including projects at Thames Valley Park, Green Park in Reading, Brindleyplace in Birmingham, Piccadilly Place in Manchester, and more recently…

Harlech Castle

/ Case Studies

Any building project has its unique complexities and a project which includes renovation and refurbishment, new-build construction, and the implementation of a variety of sustainable and energy saving techniques, is no exception. But in the case of Harlech Castle in Gwenedd, Wales, the former had to be achieved in a building, next to a scheduled ancient monument, on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in a conservation area on the edge of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), within a National Park. A JCT Standard…

JCT Interviews…Charles Edwards

/ Interviews

In this series we shed some light on some of the key people who are involved with or give their time to support JCT, to ensure that all areas of the construction industry are represented and can contribute to the development of our contracts. We will look at how our interviewees contribute to JCT specifically, and gain their views on JCT’s wider role within the industry. Head of Chambers and Barrister at New Temple Chambers Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors Member…

House Lessans, County Down, Northern Ireland

/ Case Studies

This family home, built on the site of a small farmstead in County Down, Northern Ireland, used basic materials but a high level of attention to detail to create an outstanding quality building on a very modest budget. Designed by McGonigle McGrath Architects, with Hans Crosby as main contractor, it was winner of both the RIBA and Grand Designs House of the Year 2019 and was built on a JCT Intermediate Building Contract. The brief for this project was to create a simple property to…

Digital Technology Will Change the Culture of the Construction Industry

/ JCT Povey Lecture

  A vision for the future of the construction industry and society as a whole was shared by Professor Alan Penn in delivering the JCT Povey Lecture 2019, entitled “Our digital future: space and place in a digital world”. Professor Alan Penn delivered his lecture to JCT delegates at 18 Smith Square, London on Wednesday, 20 November 2019. Professor Alan Penn showed that throughout human history, developments in technology have impacted the way in which we have developed our built environment, and how we have…

Construction Contract Mistakes: That Wasn’t Quite What We Meant

/ Contractual Issues

Blog Author: Victoria Peckett – CMS When rectifying contracts to fix drafting mistakes, what happens if the parties disagree on what was meant? Construction contracts are often so voluminous that it can be easy for mistakes to creep in when putting them together and for the executed contract not to reflect what the parties think they have agreed in all respects. Often these mistakes can be sorted out by agreement — either the parties will amend the erroneous parts in manuscript before dating them, or…

Working With BIM and JCT Contracts

/ BIM

Blog Author: Mark Pantry – Fenwick Elliott In May 2019, JCT introduced a new Practice Note, BIM and JCT Contracts. JCT says that the aim of the Practice is to further the understanding of BIM related legal and contractual issues and suggest ways of approaching such issues in a collaborative and constructive way. Mark Pantry explores the extent to which JCT have achieved this. The construction industry continues to make progress with the implementation of digital technology in construction projects. It is, however, widely accepted…

Chair’s Letter: Towards Value-based Procurement

/ Chairman's Blog

Blog Author: Richard Saxon, CBE I return to this topic again as it advances continuously. Government struggles with its procurement policy as forces pull in opposite directions. On the one hand, established practice is to seek lowest capital cost for design and construction in order to spread available resources over the most constituencies possible. On the other hand, there is growing awareness that processes seeking lowest first cost tend to produce poor value. Value is not just price, but a more complex concept embodying benefits…

Alliancing With Excellence

/ Contractual Issues, JCT 2016 Edition

Blog Author: Peter Hibberd Those involved with construction frequently berate themselves and others for its poor performance; often rightly. However, there remains a failure to recognise fully what can be done to improve. The tendency to concentrate simply on improving efficiency is not enough because one can be efficient without creating value. What must be improved is quality and productivity as these will create project life value for the client and a better return to the participants without increasing costs disproportionately. Those two objectives are…

JCT Povey Lecture 2019 – Our digital future: space and place in a digital world

/ JCT Povey Lecture

JCT Povey Lecture 2019 “Our digital future: space and place in a digital world” Alan Penn, professor, architectural and urban computing, The Bartlett, UCL; chief scientific advisor to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government About the Povey Lecture The JCT Povey Lecture is an annual event at which an eminent person is invited to give their thoughts on significant matters that are relevant to the construction and property industry. The purpose of the lecture is to stimulate thought and encourage ways of continuing to…