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Construction & Arbitration

Construction contracts

Construction is a risky business. Not only does the employer, consultant or contractor suffer the vagaries of the weather, difficult physical conditions and financial problems, but also legal uncertainties.

No serious businessman or woman enters a contract with the intention of breaking it. Unfortunately, this does happen, often unintentionally when the parties do not fully understand the contract or its implications. This is especially true where the employer is not involved with construction in his day-to-day business.

The contracts in construction projects are complex and are governed by equally intricate terms and conditions which commonly incorporate voluminous specifications, bills of quantities, preambles, drawings and the like.

Construction The need for in-depth knowledge

Clearly, there is a need for those who are giving legal advice in such situations to fully appreciate not only the law surrounding the contract, but also the nature of the material forming the contract, together with the physical and commercial realities faced by their clients. Gullands' Construction and Arbitration Team has the in-depth, specialist knowledge of construction with the know-how to achieve a client's aims.

Construction disputes

Disputes are a frequent occurrence in the construction industry. Often they are sorted out on site without either party resorting to their legal advisers.

Nevertheless, such straight-forward resolutions of disputes are not always possible. Due to the nature of construction projects, the disputes are complex and technical. It is essential that legal advisers in construction disputes understand the nature and technicalities of the dispute, together with the processes available for their resolution.

Alternatives to court action

Besides court action, there are several other alternative methods of dispute resolution available including arbitration, adjudication, mediation and conciliation.

These methods of dispute resolution are very often required by the construction contract. However, they are rarely encountered in mainstream legal practice. The legal adviser, confronted with a construction dispute, must have a thorough understanding of the nature of each method of dispute resolution and its procedure.

Gullands' Construction and Arbitration Team has first-hand knowledge and experience of the alternatives to court action. We act as mediators, adjudicators and arbitrators and are all highly practised negotiators.

If your aim is a practical and commercial outcome, it is also ours.

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