Blog

Practical Completion

/ Contractual Issues

Blog Author: Peter Hibberd The recent Court of Appeal case of Mears v Costplan Services (2019) EWCA Civ 502 is seen by some to once again raise, amongst other things, the issue of whether contracts should precisely define what constitutes practical completion. Practical completion is sometimes contrasted to substantial completion and even practically complete. However, none of these terms requires work to be completed in all respects before it is certified or is deemed to occur. As stated in Mears, ‘If there is a patent…

Chair’s Letter: Is a Sustainable Built Environment Possible?

/ Chairman's Blog

Blog Author: Richard Saxon, CBE The Extinction Rebellion movement has certainly rekindled the awareness of everyone that climate change is real, and that drastic action is essential. But what can we in the built environment do differently other than the slow, incremental changes that are in train? Recent books point the way and give rise to some optimism. There are two, related areas of change to consider. Firstly, energy use in both making and running buildings must become zero-carbon. Secondly, the linear approach to building…

Build and Create Your JCT Contracts Online with JCT Construct

/ JCT Product Updates

  JCT Construct is a revolutionary new online contract drafting tool to enable you to draft, amend, and edit your contracts with confidence and ease. JCT’s new digital service, JCT Construct, is a contract drafting system with advanced editing features, enabling users to create and amend their JCT contracts in a secure, flexible, and easy to use online environment. The system enables the editing of the JCT contract text itself, so that users can add their own amendments, clauses, or other customised text. This works…

JCT On Demand – New Contracts Now Available

/ JCT 2016 Edition, JCT Product Updates

The next batch of JCT Contracts to be made available via the JCT On Demand digital service is now live, including a range of some of our best-selling sub-contracts. JCT On Demand enables users to purchase a digital version of the JCT hardcopy contract via the JCT online store and fill in the contract in a safe, secure, online environment. It uses an intuitive Q&A process to enable users to complete their contracts comprehensively. The system also enables saving and printing drafts, printing out a…

JCT Interviews… Kathryn Ladley

/ 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.   BSc, FRICS, MAPM, FQSi Member, JCT Council, LGA Representative Associate director, Surveying and Compliance, NPS Leeds Ltd Kathryn…

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 Interviews…John Littler

/ 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. BSc. Dip.Adj. MRICS ACIArb. Founder and owner, Q-Consult Construction Consultants RICS representative, JCT Council John Littler came into the…

The Lookout, Lepe Country Park

/ Case Studies

The Lookout, on the coastal edge of the New Forest National Park, is a new visitor centre and restaurant providing visitors with stylish recreational space in a picturesque setting. Hampshire County Council was both client and designer for this project, which used a JCT Standard Building Contract. The Lookout at Lepe Country Park is one of the few points that provides easy access to the coastline within the New Forest. It has always been a popular spot with visitors, due to its history and stunning…

Court of Appeal Clarifies Meaning of “Practical Completion”

/ Contractual Issues

Blog Author: Joe Bennet – Associate and Alistair McGrigor – Partner, CMS A Court of Appeal decision in March has provided authoritative guidance as to when “practical completion” of construction works will be achieved. The existence of patent defects which are more than trifling will be sufficient to prevent “practical completion” and the intended purpose of the works is of relevance only in determining whether such defects are trifling. This considerably narrows the approach adopted by the TCC at first instance which allowed greater scope…

Chair’s Letter: The Digital Twin: Why, What and How

/ Chairman's Blog

Blog Author: Richard Saxon, CBE The built environment is officially regarded as an enabler of the economy and of our quality of life. By the ‘built environment’ I mean the complex of economic sectors which plan, regulate, develop, design and build, operate and maintain the physical fabric of our civilisation, its buildings and infrastructure. These sectors total between 15 and 20% of the total economy and the current government view is that the success of built environment investments should be measured by the outcomes they…