Residential Contractor Boot Camp
Construction Delays in the Time of Coronavirus: A Legal Perspective
On 17 June 2025 the Adjudication Society held a panel discussion, hosted by BCLP, looking at whether the adjudication process is unfair to employers, main contractors or subcontractors or does it just feel that way....more
Does this sound familiar? Nearly every construction contract contains an indemnification provision with some variation of these terms. And if you have ever negotiated a construction contract, you know that indemnification...more
“Manifest disregard of the law” is no longer a valid basis to challenge arbitration awards, at least not in the federal courts of Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Rather, according to the Fifth Circuit’s decision in U.S....more
I have practiced law for 40 years with the vast majority as a “construction” lawyer. I have seen great… and bad… construction lawyering, both when representing a party and when serving over 300 times as a mediator or...more
1. PRIVY COUNCIL RULES OUT CONTRACTOR'S CANCELLATION CHARGES IN FIDIC YELLOW BOOK TERMINATION CLAIM - The employer, under two contracts based on the 1999 FIDIC Plant and Design-Build Yellow Book, terminated the contracts...more
A federal judge in Louisiana has dished out some harsh criticism of contractors who don’t reduce their contracts to writing. The case involves the decommissioning of 26 orphaned oil and gas wells near Baton Rouge. The...more
Disputes are inherent on major subsurface projects. Typically, these disputes arise out of differing subsurface conditions and disagreements about the roles, responsibilities, and risks of the various project participants in...more
Section 130 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) allows the High Court to make building liability orders (BLO) if it considers it just and equitable to do so. Section 132 allows the court to make an information order to...more
The Technology and Construction Court has handed down judgment in BDW Trading Limited v Ardmore Construction Limited and others. The judgment confirms that, while a building liability order (which passes liability to an...more
While disputes can occur in any type of commercial transaction, construction contains a unique mix of “ingredients” that increase the likelihood that disputes will arise. Whereas most commercial transactions involve only a...more
In Chayce Concrete, LLC v. Path Construction Southwest, LLC, the Arizona Court of Appeals reaffirmed Arizona courts’ deference to arbitrators when it comes to confirming an arbitrator’s award. The opinion further highlights...more
With the exception of those living under rocks, construction professionals are well aware of the recent spate of litigation about the Massachusetts Prompt Pay Act. In 2022, the Massachusetts Appeals Court interpreted the Act...more
Ask anyone with experience on construction projects, particularly large, complex “mega-projects,” and they will tell you that disputes are an expected part of doing business. It is rare that these projects come in on schedule...more
An Idaho court has confirmed an arbitration award for a general contractor who left a project and did not return after being told by the owner to “get the f*** off my site.” The case involves the construction of five...more
In Swinerton Builders, Inc. v. Argonaut Insurance Co., Swinerton Builders, a contractor, sued a surety on bond claims arising from defaults by its subcontractor on a series of work orders. The owner of Swinerton’s mechanical...more
1. AN AGREEMENT TO AGREE IS UNENFORCEABLE – OR IS IT? An agreement to agree is not enforceable. For example, in a sale of goods contract, price is an essential ingredient, and if still to be agreed between the parties,...more
Last week, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed an international arbitration award in a case involving a failed hydroelectric project in Guatemala. The project involved an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction...more
Helen Christakos a partner in our U.S. Privacy and Data Security practice, Tom Butcher a partner in our international Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) group and Head of Middle East Communications, Technology and...more
1. SUPREME COURT PUTS COLLATERAL WARRANTIES IN THEIR THEIR PLACE - Can a collateral warranty be a "construction contract" under the Construction Act, an agreement for the carrying out of construction operations?...more
Construction law cases can involve a broad variety of issues, including breach of contract claims, construction delays, structural deficiencies/construction defect claims, environmental issues, and regulatory claims, among...more
Construction projects are often complex endeavors involving multiple parties, intricate contracts, and significant investments. Despite meticulous planning, disputes can arise, posing challenges that require legal expertise...more
A prevailing party clause is a contractual provision that requires the court or arbitrator to include the winning litigant’s attorneys’ fees and costs associated with the dispute as part of an award or judgment. In...more
In the last edition of Under Construction, we offered a basic introduction to Arizona’s mechanics and materialmen’s liens. This time, we discuss the issues related to timing of such liens...more