Section 1(1) of the Defective Premises Act 1972 (DPA) provides that a person who takes on work in providing a dwelling must ensure it is done “in a workmanlike or professional manner” and that the result is “fit for habitation.” The DPA can extend liability for defective workmanship beyond the typical six or twelve-year limitation periods - sometimes up to 30 years. As a result, contractors (and other construction professionals) (“Relevant Persons” for the purposes of this article) may face claims long after they would ordinarily be time-barred.

Construction law encompasses a complex framework of legal principles governing procurement methods, contractual obligations, and dispute resolution mechanisms within the construction industry. The choice of procurement strategy—whether traditional contracting, design and build, or a hybrid approach—significantly impacts risk distribution, project control, and cost management. Additionally, contractual provisions governing timelines, payment structures, and adjudication play a crucial role in mitigating disputes and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Understanding these principles is essential for employers, contractors, and legal professionals to navigate the complexities of project execution while mitigating potential conflicts.

Building safety has become a central concern in England following high-profile failures that have exposed weaknesses in construction regulation. In response, the government has implemented the Building Safety Levy, a mandatory financial contribution from developers intended to fund the remediation of unsafe buildings. This Levy, set to take effect in September 2025, forms part of the Building Safety Act 2022 and is a fundamental shift in how the construction industry bears responsibility for past and future building safety issues.

Julian Critchlow examines recent developments in the law and practice of ADR, outlining its implications for parties to disputes, and investigate the implications of recent relevant changes to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR).

This guide aims to provide contractors and subcontractors with a practical overview of adjudication to assist them in navigating the process in the event of a dispute.

Failing to serve a valid payment application in a construction contract can have serious consequences for both the paying party and the receiving party.

The Ultimate Bitesize Legal Updates You Need In Construction

For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for climate change summits, or COPs (‘Conference of the Parties’), with COP26 being the 26th annual summit. Over that time, the subject has gone from being a peripheral matter to a global priority - with many believing it to be the world’s last real chance to get climate change under control.

DAVIES & DAVIES ASSOCIATES LIMITED v STEVE WARD SERVICES (UK) LIMITED - 23rd April 2021

72 people died in the Grenfell fire disaster. The causes of the deaths encompass a number of factors.

However, the impetus for the rapid spread of the fire was evidently the use of Celotex polyisocyanurate foam (banned in the United States) for insulation in the cladding panels, and the absence of fire breaks. The findings of the subsequent public inquiry make it plain that many more buildings are at risk. In response, the Government has made £3.5bn available to rectify the problem.

In Blackpool Borough Council v Volkerfitzpatrick Ltd and others [2020] EWHC 1523 (TCC), the Court handed down a decision highlighting the importance of properly defining your design life requirements.

In order to implement the Government’s social distancing rules the CLC has now issued new operating procedures for construction sites

Whilst the coronavirus outbreak has severely disrupted many projects, construction operations have not been suspended by Government and disputes in respect of them will continue to occur: indeed, the crisis may increase their incidence. Therefore, parties may wish to know whether they can still adjudicate.

Employers, contractors and subcontractors on existing projects will need to understand their rights and obligations in view of the problems caused by coronavirus.

Those problems are exacerbated by the Government’s current equivocal response to the crisis: construction operations are not (yet) prohibited, but have been rendered immeasurably more difficult. Contractors and subcontractors, in particular, will be looking to see whether the law can help.

The Hackitt Report into the Grenfell Tower disaster will have a lasting impact on the UK construction industry. Our managing partner, Arianne Elise King, explains how, to Build Magazine.

Whether practical completion (PC) has been achieved on a construction project is perhaps one of the most fertile grounds for dispute and has potentially wide-reaching implications.

Despite this, the term is used by lawyers and construction professionals so frequently, and with such conviction, as to defy anyone to debate its meaning. This norm may be considered surprising in light of the fact that the term is so rarely defined in construction contracts.

Adjudication has long been considered an affordable and predictable alternative to litigation. With our new capped fee structure, we are taking these benefits one step further, giving clients additional peace of mind over their fees and, more importantly, their cash flow.

Over the next few months, we’ll be highlighting the major landmines that lay hidden in these schedules, starting with one of the most common traps: fitness for purpose. While such a clause may seem innocuous, a fitness for purpose clause can have disastrous consequences.

Our own Arianne Elise King explains all to UK Construction Media.

The construction industry is a complicated business. For the largest tenders, bids tend to be won by a major contractor, that – in order to boost its man power or to gain access to highly specialist skills…