Preface to the fifth edition x
Abbreviations xii
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Some general things about contracts 1
1.2 Some background to MW and MWD 4
1.3 When to use MW and MWD 5
1.4 How to use 7
1.5 What is the contract? 9
1.6 How to complete the contract form 10
1.7 Priority of documents 16
1.8 Inconsistencies and divergences 16
1.9 Custody and copies 19
1.10 Limits to use 20
1.11 Notices, time and the law 20
1.12 Common problems 21
2 Some basics 24
2.1 Works 24
2.2 Drawings 24
2.3 Copyright 25
2.4 Specification 25
2.5 Schedules 25
2.6 Privity of contract and third party rights 26
2.7 Base date 26
2.8 Common problems 26
3 Things you must know 29
3.1 The Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended) 29
3.2 Express and implied terms 31
3.3 Limitation periods 32
3.4 Letters of intent 34
3.5 Quantum meruit 35
3.6 Common problems 36
4 Architect’s powers and duties 37
4.1 Authority and duties 37
4.2 Duty to act fairly 43
4.3 An architect in a local authority or similar 44
4.4 Express provisions of the contract 45
4.5 Common problems 50
5 Contractor’s powers and duties 51
5.1 Contractor’s obligations: express and implied 51
5.2 Basic principles 51
5.3 Carrying out the Works 59
5.4 Workmanship and materials 61
5.5 Statutory obligations 63
5.6 Contractor’s representative 63
5.7 Compliance with architect’s instructions 64
5.8 Suspension of obligations 64
5.9 Common problems 65
6 Employer’s powers and duties 67
6.1 Powers and duties: in the contract and elsewhere 67
6.2 Rights under MW and MWD 72
6.3 Other rights 73
6.4 Duties under MW and MWD 73
6.5 Retention 76
6.6 Other duties 76
6.7 Common problems 77
7 Quantity surveyor 78
7.1 Appointment 78
7.2 Duties 79
7.3 Responsibilities 81
7.4 Common problems 82
8 Clerk of works 85
8.1 Appointment 85
8.2 Duties 87
8.3 Responsibilities 90
8.4 Common problems 90
9 Sub]contractors and suppliers 92
9.1 General 92
9.2 Differences between assignment and sub]contracting 92
9.3 Assignment 92
9.4 Sub]contracting 93
9.5 Nominated subcontractors 94
9.6 Common problems 96
10 Statutory matters and work outside the contract 98
10.1 Statutory authorities 98
10.2 Works not forming part of the contract 100
10.3 Common problems 101
11 Insurance 103
11.1 Important 103
11.2 Injury to or death of persons 104
11.3 Damage to property 105
11.4 Insurance of the Works 106
11.5 Evidence of insurance 108
11.6 Loss or damage 109
11.7 Common problems 110
12 Possession of the site 111
12.1 Important points 111
12.2 Date for possession 112
12.3 Failure to give possession 112
12.4 Common problems 114
13 Extension of time 116
13.1 Why necessary? 116
13.2 Extension of time 117
13.3 Reasons 119
13.4 Failure to notify delay 120
13.5 Does an extension of time entitle the contractor to any money? 121
13.6 Common problems 121
14 Liquidated damages 123
14.1 What are liquidated damages? 123
14.2 Liquidated damages or penalty? 124
14.3 Procedure 125
14.4 Common problems 126
15 Financial claims 127
15.1 General 127
15.2 Dealing with loss and/or expense 128
15.3 Types of claims 130
15.4 Common problems 132
16 Architect’s instructions 134
16.1 Architect’s instructions 134
16.2 Contractor’s objection 138
16.3 Specific instructions 139
16.4 Other instructions which will be empowered 140
16.5 Common problems 141
17 Variations 143
17.1 Variations 143
17.2 Valuation 145
17.3 Provisional sums 146
17.4 Common problems 147
18 Payment 149
18.1 Important to read this first 149
18.2 Contract Sum 150
18.3 Interim certificates 153
18.4 Final certificate 157
18.5 Effect of certificate 161
18.6 Failure to pay 161
18.7 Retention 161
18.8 Common problems 162
19 Practical completion 164
19.1 Practical completion 164
19.2 The contract says 164
19.3 Consequences of practical completion 167
19.4 Common problems 167
20 Defects liability 169
20.1 During construction 169
20.2 During the rectification period 169
20.3 Defects, shrinkages and other faults 170
20.4 Frost 172
20.5 Procedure 172
20.6 Making Good 174
20.7 Certificate of making good 176
20.8 Common problems 177
21 Termination 178
21.1 Preliminary thoughts 178
21.2 If no termination in the contract 179
21.3 Termination by the employer 180
21.4 Consequences of employer termination 186
21.5 Termination by the contractor 187
21.6 Consequences of contractor termination 194
21.7 Termination by either employer or contractor 194
21.8 Termination after loss or damage to existing structures 195
21.9 Reinstatement 195
21.10 Common problems 195
22 Contractor’s designed portion (CDP) 198
22.1 Principles 198
22.2 Contractor’s obligations 198
22.3 Inconsistences and divergences 200
22.4 Variations 201
22.5 Other matters 201
22.6 Common problems 202
23 Dispute resolution procedures 203
23.1 General 203
23.2 Choice 203
23.3 The Construction Act 1996 205
23.4 Adjudication in general 205
23.5 Pros and cons 206
23.6 Adjudication in detail 208
24.7 Arbitration 217
23.8 Legal proceedings (litigation) 222
23.9 Mediation 223
23.10 Common problems 223
Notes and references 224
Table of cases 234
Clause number index to text 000
Subject index 000
