6CN011 Contract Law and

Dispute Resolution (Qatar)

Lecture 5
Progress, Completion &
Defects

This session will cover

Progressing with the (construction)

works
Extension of time
Completion
Dealing with defects

Re: The Engineers role

The Engineer also plays a role in

Commencement, Delays and

Suspension (Details in Lecture No.5)
8.1 Commencement of Works, 8.3 Programme, 8.4
Extension of time for completion, 8.6 Rate of progress,
8.8 Suspension of Work, 8.9 Consequences of
Suspension, 8.11 Prolonged Suspension, 8.12
Resumption of Work

Commencement & progressing

(8.1)

Construction to commence within 42

days of letter of acceptance see
timeline

Engineer to give minimum of 7 days

notice for commencement

Works to progress with due

expedition and without delay
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The Programme (8.3)

Within 28 days after receiving

Commencement of Works notice, C should
submit to the Engineer a detailed
programme including

Order in which C intends to carry out the Works

Work by nominated subcontractors
Sequence and timings of Inspections and testing
Supporting report including: description of
methods, personnel & construction equipment

Programme to be updated if circumstances

change

The Programme (8.3)

Engineer has 21 days from receipt of the

programme to check and ensure that it
complies with the Contract.
Points to note:
Programme is not a contract document
Programme is not for approval of the Engineer
Form of the programme is not dictated
Contractor to give notice or early warning to the
Engineer of probable future events or circumstances,
which might adversely affect the works (Sub-clause
8.3)

Contractor may be asked to estimate consequent

effects
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Exercise
Discuss benefits of a programme to:
1.Engineer
2.Contractor

The Programme (8.3)

The Engineer requires programme to:

1.
Organise their office re: drawings,
schedules, nominated s/cs
2.
Organise their engineering staff and
inspectors
3.
Monitor the contractors progress
4.
Establish the cash flow (for the Employer)
5.
Monitor claims for extensions of time
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The Programme (8.3)

The Contractor requires programme

to:
1.

2.
3.
4.

Organise subcontractors, procure plant,

labour and materials
Plan and control the works
Establish the basis of claims
Establish the cash flow

The Programme (8.3)

Reasons for Employers/Engineers requiring

Contractors to include programme and method
statements with their tender:
Help to appraise tenders
Help Employer to fulfil own obligations
Help Employer to co-ordinate work with others
Relevant legal case
Yorkshire Water v Alfred McAlpine (1985) see
page 10 of the notes
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Extension of time for completion

(8.4)

Grounds for e.o.t. include:

A variation or other substantial change in

quantity
Delay under sub-clause of these conditions
Exceptionally adverse climatic conditions
Shortages in personnel or goods caused by
epidemic or government actions
Delay caused by the employer
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Exercise

Identify situations which can give

rise to extension of time

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Extension of time for completion

(8.4)

The following clauses carry an

entitlement to an extension of time plus
cost and a reasonable profit

1.9 Delayed drawings and instructions

2.1 Right of access to the site
4.7 Setting out
7.4 Testing
10.3 Interference with Tests on Completion
16.1 Contractors entitlement to suspend
work
13

Extension of time for completion

(8.4)

The following clauses carry an

entitlement to an extension of time plus
cost only

4.12 Unforeseen physical events

4.24 Fossils
8.9 Suspension initiated by the Employer
13.7 Adjustment for changes in legislation
17.4 Consequences of employers risks
Consequences of force majeure
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Extension of time for completion

(8.4)

The following clauses carry an

entitlement to an extension of time
only:

8.5 delays caused by authorities

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Boskalis Wesminster Construction

Ltd v. Liverpool City Council (1983)

B entered into a contract with L for the

construction of dwellings. The contract
(under JCT63) provided for industrial action
as a Relevant Event. A question put to the
Court following an Arbitrators award was
whether delays caused by strike actions of
the employees of the Statutory Undertaker
employed by the Employer to carry out work
not forming part of the Contract was covered
by the Clause?
Yes/No?

Boskalis Wesminster Construction

Ltd v. Liverpool City Council (1983)

No

Break
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Completion
Contractor shall complete all or
section(s) of the works:
Within time(s) allowed (8.2)
C can apply for Taking-over Certificate
within 14 days of completion (10.1)
1.

2.

E to issue this Certificate within 28 days;

or reject the application with reasons
Certificate deemed issued if E fails to
comply in No.1
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Completion
Completion means works are
finished except:
For minor works and defects which
will not substantially affect the use
of (sections of) the works (10.1.a)

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Tests on Completion (9.1)

Contractor shall carry out tests on

Completion:

Notify E, at least 21 days in advance

Carry out test within 14 days of the
date notified
Report certified results of tests passed
to the Engineer

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Tests on Completion (9.2)

If Contractor fails to carry out tests

on Completion:

E may by Notice , ask Contractor to

carry out tests within 21
If Contractor still does not comply,
Employers personnel may carry out
the tests
Contractor will be deemed present and
results accurate
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Defects (11.1&2)

A Defects Notification Period (DNP) is

applicable see contract
Defects notified by:

The Engineer in the Taking-Over Certificate

The Employer Within the DNP

Defects attributable to the Contractor

are rectified at his own cost; while
others are treated under the Variation
Procedure
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Defects

DNP may be extended, by up to 2

years maximum, if a defect renders
the works unusable (11.3)
If a Contractor fails to remedy a defect
(11.4):

Employer can remedy it at the

Contractors expense
Employer can also terminate the Contract
if the defect deprives him of the works
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Defects

Works can be retested after

rectifying defects (11.6)
Subject to Employers security
measures; Contractor to be
allowed access to the works for
remedying defects (11.7)

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Claim by Employer (Time)

H.W. Nevill (Sunblest) Ltd v William Press &
Son Ltd:
1st Contractor came to correct defective
works
1st Contractor delayed 2nd Contractor
plus obstructed the Employers functions
Employer then claimed for both cost of
delay to 2nd Contractors work and his
own late openings
Should the Employer succeed?
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Claim by Employer (Time)

H.W. Nevill (Sunblest) Ltd v William
Press & Son Ltd:

Should the Employer succeed?

Yes

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Defects

Performance Certificate issued after all

defects have been rectified (11.7-11)

Within 28 days of expiration of DNP

Performance Certificate issued to the
Employer
Performance Certificate constitutes the
acceptance of the Works
Contractor to clear Site of rubbish, etc.
within 28 days of Performance Certificate
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Defects

Despite the issue of Performance

Certificate (11.10):
1.

2.

Each party will remain liable for any

unfulfilled obligations
Contract remains in force due to No.1

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This session has covered

Progressing with the (construction)

works
Extension of time
Completion
Dealing with defects

30

Lecture 5 - Tutorial
1.

2.

FIDIC demands that Works should progress

with due expedition and without delay.
Discuss reasons why contractors might not
proceed diligently with a project
On some instances FIDIC expects the
Engineer to give a notice to the Contractor,
and vice-versa. Identify 6 notices
mentioned in FIDIC and when they should
be issued.
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