Using NEC4 in Australia

January 25, 2021

The NEC4 suite is generally easier to read than the GC21, for instance, and therefore it is more accessible to a wider portion of the project team members.  A significant benefit however is that risks are distributed more in the contractor’s favour, more so than what is typically the case with Australian forms...

READ MORE

NEC4_Updates Focus

January 22, 2021

The Contractor should be aware that the notification provisions of the NEC Contract require the Contractor to inform the Project Manager for events that may result in additional time and/or money within a specified time frame.  Failure to notify in accordance with these provisions will jeopardise the Contractor’s entitlement to additional time and/or money even if the Contractor is not at fault and the Employer is responsible for such an event. 

READ MORE

Considerations for preparing claims for delay and disruption

March 7, 2020

This challenge for Contractors is heightened because the on-site personnel in their teams, that are best placed to have the most awareness and ability to control the causes of delay, are generally not experienced in contract administration to take precautionary or preventative steps to most effectively protect the Contractor's interests.

READ MORE

Make an easy claim for ‘time at large’?

February 26, 2020

"...if the party be prevented by the refusal of the other contracting party from completing the contract within the time-limited he is not liable in law for the default...the plaintiffs were therefore left at large. Consequently, they are not to forfeit anything for the delay..."

READ MORE

Design, Bid, Build

January 22, 2020

As a popular and familiar procurement methodology, Design/ Bid/ Build is suitable for a range of projects and circumstances, in particular, complex projects which are not constrained by time.  It's also suitable for inexperienced Employers that can work with their designer at a slower pace to ensure the final design is in keeping with their requirements.

READ MORE

Service Agreements

August 14, 2019

The Designer may be held responsible based on the foreseeable consequence of the negligent advice, and the damages incurred as a result. However, it is possible to exclude liability for the accuracy of the information in the Service Agreement in the case that the Employer is acting as a consumer.

READ MORE

Two-Stage Selective Tendering 

August 7, 2019

Concerns over the time and expense commitment from contractors and subcontractors during the tendering process can be mitigated by the use of conditional pre-construction agreements to identify the tasks to be performed along with the associated timeframes.

READ MORE

Letters of Intent

June 6, 2019

Some other crucial components of a sound Letter of Intent, which can often be overlooked, include a comprehensive description of the form of contract that would ultimately be entered into.

READ MORE

Design & Build

February 1, 2019

When determining whether the Design/Build Contract is suitable for a project, it is important to consider factors such as the points of responsibility, the nature of the project, the time constraints, and not least, where risk is best placed to reside.

READ MORE

FIDIC Contracts

June 6, 2019

FIDIC contracts contain machinery for claims that become disputes to be referred to an independent Dispute Adjudication Board in the event either the Contractor or the Employer is not satisfied with the determination made by the Engineer.

READ MORE

NEC Contracts

June 6, 2019

The Contractor should be aware that the notification provisions of the NEC Contract require the Contractor to inform the Project Manager for events that may result in additional time and/or money within a specified time frame.  Failure to notify in accordance with these provisions will jeopardise the Contractor’s entitlement to additional time and/or money even if the Contractor is not at fault and the Employer is responsible for such an event. 

READ MORE

Construction Management

June 5, 2019

The use of the modified Construction Manager At-Risk Contract does impart a certain level of responsibility in that with the At-Risk Contract, the Construction Manager is committed to delivering the project within a guaranteed maximum price.

READ MORE