Contract Administration

Question 1

What is the role of the contract administrator under a JCT contract?

Answer 1

• The CA is responsible for administering the construction contract
• CA appointed by client and usually act as clients agent
• When certifying or giving an assessment or decision, the administrator has to act honestly and reasonably and their decisions are open to challenge via the dispute resolution procedure unless the contract makes their decisions final and conclusive
• Certain instances, contractual provisions can be subject to ‘fair and reasonable’ assessment
• Issues timely information relating to set out any any other pre-agreed info as and when required
• Issues instructions / variations to overcome discrepancies and/or changes in scope of works
• Certifies sums due
• Assesses delay and grants time and cost relief according to prescribed provisions
• Issues extensions of time which it considers fair and reasonable
• Considers with the QS, if employed, all interim valuations, claims for variations and loss / expense resulting and issue payment certificates as appropriate