The JCT announced at an event on 16 June 2023 that new editions of its contracts will be published in 2024.
Further information regarding the expected changes was provided in July 2023 where the JCT confirmed that the new edition will be issued early in 2024, subject to reviewing the awaited changes in relevant secondary legislation under the Building Safety Act 2022
The JCT publishes standard forms of building contracts and related contracts such as collateral warranties, sub-contracts and guidance notes that are used for construction projects in England and Wales. JCT contracts set out the responsibilities of all parties within the construction process and their obligations to each other, so that the parties know what work is required and who will be doing it as well as the time periods when the work must be done by and for how much.
Previous JCT editions are:
- 2016 Editions,
- 2011 Editions, and
- 2005 Editions, 2009 Revision.
The June announcement stated that the changes in the 2024 edition can be categorized into four categories
- Modernising and streamlining – which includes adopting of gender-neutral language and greater flexibility when using electronic notices.
- New – A new contract family, namely the JCT Target Cost Contract (TCC) will be introduced which contains a main contract, sub-contract, and guidance notes.
- Legislative changes – numerous updates to take into account changes to the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022), termination accounting and payment provisions reflecting changes to the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (Construction Act 1996) and new insolvency grounds included in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA 2020).
- Future proofing – which includes updates to reflect the aims of the government’s Construction Playbook, and will include provisions relating to collaborative working, sustainable development and environmental considerations, which were previously optional.
A summary of the expected changes mentioned in the four categories are as follows:
- The new Target Costs Contract (TCC) family.
- Adoption of gender-neutral language.
- Execution by electronic signature and that notices can be sent electronically.
- Extension of time provisions being updated, which includes:
- new relevant events to include epidemics;
- how to deal with “statutory powers”;
- “Statutory Undertakers” are now defined as “Statutory Providers”;
- reduced period of time from 12 weeks to 8 weeks for the Employer to evaluate an interim extension of time from receipt of the Contractor’s particulars; and
- extending relevant events for antiquities when faced with unexploded ordnance (UXB), contamination and asbestos.
- Additional grounds in the Contract Particulars under which a Contractor can claim losses or expenses. Provisions have been added to cover epidemics, exercise of statutory powers as well as UXB, contamination and asbestos when dealing with antiquities.
- Amended liquidated damages provisions so that liquidated damages apply up to the termination of a contract. Thereafter a party will only be able to claim general damages. Clear wording must be used if the parties want to use an alternative method.
- Moving the fluctuation provisions online.
- Changes to the dispute resolution provisions when nominating bodes and making obligations compulsory for notification and negotiation of disputes. This will obligate a party to promptly notify the other when something is likely to result in a dispute and for senior executives to meet as soon as practicable to engage in negotiations to resolve the dispute.
- New provision added on risk allocation relating to UXB, contaminated materials and asbestos.
- Changes to include the amendments in the BSA 2022 and its secondary legislation as well as additions to include the two extra insolvency grounds in CIGA 2020 and updates to reflect the Construction Act 1996 amendments relating to the due date for the final payment after termination.
- Future proofing as discussed above in relation to the Construction Playbook and incorporating previously optional provisions.
If you would like to discuss this further or would like more information, please contact our construction team.
