Building Construction and Engineering Contracts

Every major construction and engineering project involves many contractual relationships. In addition to the principal contract, there will also typically be finance agreements, supply contracts, sub-contracts and conditions of engagement for employing the consultancy team.

Disputes can arise from any of those relationships, ranging from whether the contract documents have been correctly executed, to arguments over variations, loss and expense claims, defects in quality and delayed completion.

Top-level expertise in advising on all these issues and others is available from Keating Chambers. Whether you need to ensure that contracts are properly prepared, or advice on whether the interpretation of contract provisions might avoid a dispute or on full arbitration, litigation or other dispute resolution services, members of Chambers can help.

It is no coincidence that Chambers is renowned for producing the leading text-book ‘Keating on Building Contracts’. Based on decades of experience in advising on all types of building and engineering contracts in the UK and around the world, it underlines Chambers' acknowledged excellence in the field.

Civil Engineering

Chambers' impressive reputation means our members have assisted clients involved in some of the world's largest engineering projects, including major infra-structure facilities such as dams, bridges, railways and highways on five continents.

With several of our members holding engineering qualifications, including some who are chartered civil engineers, our industry knowledge and experience is constantly in demand for all aspects of civil engineering projects.

For example, we can advise on procuring and choosing suitable contractual structures, provide opinions on interpretation of provisions of the contract, assess contractors’ claims for delay and disruption or owners’ claims relating to late completion. We can also assist with resolving post-construction disputes through arbitration or alternative dispute resolution.

Clients commissioning civil engineering works, including governments, local authorities, public utilities and private corporations regularly call on our leading expertise, as do civil engineering and construction contractors and consultants.

Electrical Engineering

We can advise on disputes related to technological aspects of construction projects. Our members have significant experience in this field, and include a former Vice-President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.

We can also advise on the interpretation of mechanical and electrical contracts and sub-contracts, and in disputes relating to professional negligence by consultant electrical engineers.

Our capability extends to dealing with a wide variety of matters involving electrical systems or electronic products. Recent cases in which members have advised include:

dispute arising from computer-controlled milling machine
dispute over manufacture of sub-sea fibre optic cable
disputes arising from contracts for design and supply of computer software and hardware
arbitration of dispute concerning mobile telephone facilities in Australia
arbitration of dispute arising from supply of telecommunications equipment to water project in Libya
advising Italian electrical engineers on termination of power line contract in Papua New Guinea.

Further Information
For further information on how our members can assist you, please contact the Senior Clerks, John Munton and Nick Child, in the first instance, on +44(0)20 7544 2600. They and their teams of Clerks will be pleased to advise you on the member of Keating Chambers appropriate to your requirements.