The JCT have substantially revised the major forms of construction contracts in 2005. This is the first significant set of changes since the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act came into force in 1998, and the first set of major revisions to the main contracts since 1980 and 1981.
Some of the names of the contracts have changed (for example the “With Contractors Design” becomes “Design and Build”). There are important changes to payment and design responsibility in the Design and Build Contract.
There are new versions of contracts, so that a Minor Works form of contract with Contractor's Design and an Intermediate Form with Contractor's Design have appeared. These are Design Portion Supplement revisions, not meant to be used as pure design and build contracts. The contracts have all been reformatted into a new set of sections, with schedules. The old appendix at the back is replaced by particulars, in the articles at the front. A new species of Framework Contract (binding or non-binding) and a guide to it have been produced. An integrated set of subcontracts have also been printed.
The new forms have quickly become the standard forms that everyone uses, and therefore it is important that everyone is fully informed as soon as possible.
We are happy to lecture to contractors, employers and professionals, and to subcontractors on these forms, so please contact Philip Harris if you would like to discuss how we may assist you in understanding the new contracts.
