Blog

Lucky 13?

Blog Author: Richard Saxon CBE, JCT Chairman Construction is many industries within one classification. It stretches from the mammoth to the minute, from infrastructure work like HS2 to household repair tasks. Any critique of construction therefore needs to recognise the part of the industry to which it refers. The statistical classification of the industry also fails to include its clients and consultants, essential parts of the cultural and economic system of the built environment. All that having been said, new initiatives at one end of…

Students show their inspiration in JCT Student Competition 2018

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…

JCT Standard Building Contract 2016: Simply Fair

Understanding contractual provisions can be complicated but a solid legal framework that also reflects fair payment guidance is essential For payment to work effectively it is necessary for the parties to act properly. Facets of acting properly include good faith, appropriate skill and knowledge of the payment process. Where these attributes exist, few problems regarding payment should occur. Contract authoring bodies for their part can only specifically address the payment process but the simplicity or otherwise of that process has an impact on the ability…

Build UK becomes a member of JCT

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

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

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…

Withdrawal of JCT 2011: information for JCT users

Following the successful release of the JCT 2016 edition of contracts, the JCT 2011 contracts were withdrawn as below. JCT Contracts Digital Service (CD) users After the end of April 2018, JCT 2011 contracts were archived. Hard-copy users JCT 2011 contracts are no longer in print, but can be purchased through Docdel. To order, please go to https://corporate.jctltd.co.uk/products/pre-2016-jct-contracts/

JCT releases updated JCT Contracts Discovery education module

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 contract sales up to record levels following strong uptake of JCT 2016 Edition

JCT contract sales are at record levels as a result of a continued trend of strong performance throughout the construction industry, which has been further buoyed by the uptake of the JCT 2016 Edition. The level of sales through JCT’s online store is further reflected in the publication this week of the NBS National Construction Contracts and Law Report 2018, which showed a significant increase in the use of JCT contracts over the past year. The latest NBS report shows marked growth in the use…

‘Re-integration’

  Blog Author: Richard Saxon CBE, JCT Chairman The collapse of Carillion is probably another nail in the coffin of the current UK model of main  contracting where virtually all the trade work is subcontracted. Over fifty years in the industry, I have seen the change from traditional contractors with their main trades in-house to the current, insustainable pattern. The vertically integrated contractor was brought down by recurrent business cycles which punish employers. Once the idea spread that trade specialists could be hired in just…