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JCT ties extensions of time and loss and expense to prompt notice and good supporting information. Many JCT contracts are amended to turn those duties into strict time bars.
When it becomes reasonably apparent that progress is or is likely to be delayed, the Contractor gives notice straight away, with the cause and the Relevant Event behind it.
Loss and expense notices are due as soon as the likely effect of a Relevant Matter becomes apparent, followed by supporting information and regular updates.
JCT Design and Build 2024 cuts the period for an interim extension of time decision from 12 weeks to 8, and JCT 2024 adds epidemics, asbestos, contamination and unexploded ordnance as Relevant Events.
JCT forms are used across UK building work, public and private. Design and Build is the most common, with the Standard Building Contract for traditional procurement and Minor Works for smaller jobs.
The Joint Contracts Tribunal publishes the most widely used standard building contracts in the UK. The current edition is JCT 2024.
Design and Build is used when the Contractor designs the works. The Standard Building Contract suits traditional procurement, where the Employer's team completes the design. The Intermediate and Minor Works contracts suit simpler and smaller projects.
A Relevant Event can entitle the Contractor to an extension of time. A Relevant Matter can entitle the Contractor to loss and expense. Some causes, such as variations, appear on both lists.
JCT 2024 makes collaborative working a core obligation, adds new Relevant Events and Matters such as epidemics, asbestos, contamination and unexploded ordnance, cuts the interim extension of time decision period in Design and Build from 12 weeks to 8, and allows notices by email where the addresses are set out in the Contract Particulars.
Forthwith, once it becomes reasonably apparent that progress is being or is likely to be delayed. Many amended JCT contracts replace this with a fixed time bar, so always check the amendments.
The Employer has 8 weeks to make an interim extension of time decision under Design and Build 2024, down from 12 weeks in the 2016 edition. The final review timetable is unchanged.
Contract terms vary by edition and are frequently amended. Always check the contract and any project-specific amendments that apply. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
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