Commercial Advice

Building contracts place obligations on clients, their representatives and contractors about matters such as payments, provision of information and notices. Provided that the requirements are understood and adhered to, the project should run smoothly. We can provide commercial advice and assistance to help avoid problems arising. We can interpret and explain contracts, develop procedures and provide documents which will assist in ensuring compliance with obligations.

Claims Preparation, Appraisal and Defence

Even with the most careful pre-contract planning and preparation, unforseen complications can and do arise. These may be due to interpretation of contractual clauses or as a result of a failure to comply with a requirement. Typically they include claims for extensions of time, prolongation, disruption, acceleration or recovery of variations. We will analyse the contractual, financial and technical issues and the effect of delay and disruption upon planned progress. We can then assess the position and provide advice on how best to deal with the situation.

In order to be successful, a claim must have contractual validity, be supported by records and clearly establish a link between cause and effect. If a claim submission isn't clearly written it can often fail to be resolved in a commercially justifiable way.  Many claims can be resolved by successful negotiation, without the need for formal dispute resolution. Successful negotiation between the parties is the key to claim resolution.