3.1 Contract Practice Flashcards
What is a legally binding Contract? What are the key elements?
An agreement for one party to fulfil obligation in exchange for consideration. The key elements for a contract are:
-Offer
-Acceptance
-Consideration
-Intent to form a legal relationship
What is the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009?
The Act amended the housing grants construction and regeneration Act 1996. Makes further amendments to how contracts are entered, payments and adjudication.
What are the provisions under LDEDC act?
-Construction contracts no longer need to be in writing.
-Pay-When-Certified is no longer allowed.
-Payment notice must be issued no later than 5 days from due date.
-Payment notice must show calculation of payment even when it’s Nil.
-Default notice can be issued by other party fails to issue Notice. If payment isn’t issued by final date of payment then suspension of work.
-Pay less notice is issued if notified sum is found to be unsound but must calculate sum due to when pay less is served.
What information is typically found in a letter of intent?
- Detailed decription of works
- Contract sum
- Date for possession
- Date for completion
- Insurance provision
- Method of payment
- Expiration date of the letter
- Right not to award main contract
- ADR
What is a letter of intent?
A letter from Employer to Contractor indicating the Employer’s intention to enter into contract.
Advantages of Letter of intent?
-Save time and cost by starting contract works before main contract is agreed.
Disadvantages of Letter of intent?
-May result in complacency in getting main contract agreed and signed.
-Less robust than a main contract.
-Employer’s negotiation strength is usually reduced.”
What is a PCG?
Parent Company Gurantee - Security for the Client incase of contractor insolvency. Particularly used for smaller companies which a part of a group. The group will be required to meet the smaller company’s obligation.
What are Third Party Rights?
-Contracts (Rights of third parties) Act 1999.
-Allows third parties to enforce terms of contracts that they are not party to but that benefit them.
Advantages of third-party rights?
-Save time and cost as you don’t need to issue multiple CWs?
-Certainty, no renegotiating unlike CWs.
Disadvantages of third-party rights?
-Lack of flexibility
-Need for careful drafting
What is a Collateral Warranty?
A formal contractual document that creates a direct contractual relationship between two parties.
What is the difference between a bond and a collateral warranty?
Bond is generally financial and CWs pass on contractual obligations. Bonds are contained within the contract but CWs sit outside the contract.
Example of the collateral warranty?
D&B contract Employer might want CWs for the design team.
What is an assignment?
Assignments pass the benefit but not the obligation to a third party.
What is a bond?
Protection for the holder from non-payment, lack of performance, insolvency or warranty issues
What are the different types of bonds?
-Performance bond
-Retention bond
-Advance payment bond
-Tender bond
-Off-site materials bond
Why would an employer require a performance bond?
-Contractor is new or unapproved
-Concerns over contractor’s finances
-A recession is looming
-Employer wants to protect their commercial exposure
What are different types of performance bonds?
On demand - available without meeting any requirements
Conditional - requires employer to prove a loss as a consequence of the contractor.
What is a Tender bond?
Provides security if the successful bidder fails to get into contract.
What is an Offsite materials bond?
Provides security for material being manufactured off site that have been paid for.
What is a retention bond?
Will pay the Employer part or all the bond if contractor fails to complete the defects.
What is an advanced payment bond?
Protects the payment that is issued before contract works begin.
What are defects and the different types?
Part of work not in accordance with scope or law. There can be Patent or Latent defects.