AIS Digest

Why do they give rise to such difficulties in construction contracts?
This commentary note discusses the contractual environment on time under the commonly used standard contract forms and also considers some of the main difficulties with time affecting construction contracts and how, from a practice perspective, they can be reduced, if not controlled.

The recent fatal accident involving a scaffolding collapse has highlighted the need to reevaluate the use of truss-out scaffold systems. Truss-out Scaffold (TOS) has been a popular choice in the construction industry due to its adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and quick installation for maintenance tasks. However, safety concerns have prompted regulatory bodies to establish stricter guidelines.

The term collaborative contracting has more recently entered the plethora of new phrases in the vocabulary of the built environment and is becoming a buzzword garnering more importance than ever in our sector. Can collaboration build and foster successful contracting relationships and a meeting of minds? Is a collaborative contract required to ensure that parties do get on amicably when what really matters is people management and a dovetailing of aspirations, attitudes and conduct?

Commentary Note on Collaborative Contracting
This commentary note examines the key core drivers and impetus for collaboration and also discusses the critical success factors, potential benefits and challenges, and the possible approaches and some watchpoints flowing from collaboration principles in standard contract forms and bespoke agreements.