CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS

LIRATTURE REVIEW

Literature Review on contractual issues arising claims

Avoiding construction claims and disputes requires understanding of the contractual terms,

early no adversarial communication, and understanding of causes of claims.(Cheryl Semple,

Francis T. Hartman, and George Jergeas) identify some of the critical element in

construction contract, and investigates the causes of claims, categories of compensation of

claims and contract clauses quoted in claims by studying high-rise apartment building and

institutional buildings. Construction contract determines the basis for the relationship

between the parties involved in it. A contract is a promise or agreement that the law will

enforce. Construction contract are very often long, complex document, consequently,

disagreement or disputes can arise regarding contractual obligations or expectations, when

one party feels that the contractual obligations or expectations have not been meet and

they fell that they deserve monetary and/or time compensation they may submit a claim. A

claim is defined as an assertation to the right to remedy, relief or property (Canadian Law

Directory)

Currently construction industry in UAE has number of disputes arrives because of disputed

in legal document and poor coordination in general and particular condition of contract.

UAE is fast growing country in terms of construction and lots of competition for getting the

project because of that contractors are bidding less and claiming more amounts. A client

tries to reduce the overall cost of project and contractors tries to get more profit and result

is disputes arise. Every claim submitted by the contractor puts pressure on client and

consequently it affect increasing property price. That is why construction claim are

considered as the most unpleasant event in construction industry. Claims can be reduced by

proper arrangement of scope of work in contract document. Contract is the document

which explains all rolls and liabilities of the parties involved in it. For the purpose of study

for analyzing contractual issues literature review is divided in two parts. First part will

discuss on Contract law in general and particular terms used in formation of construction

contract. Second chapter will discuss on Claims under FIDIC contract and previous research

in claims.

1 Introduction to contract law

1.1 Legal systems

A legal system, is a system for identifying factual situations where the state will impose

sanctions on a person (criminal law), where one person can seek redress from another

person (civil law), and where a person can challenge decisions of the state and public

bodies, such as local authorities (administrative law)1. For example: If someone takes

property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving them of that

property, this is categorized by the criminal law as a crime (theft) for which the state can

seek an order for imprisonment, a fine or both. The same conduct is categorized by the civil

law as a tort (known as conversion) for which the person whose property is taken can seek

an order requiring the person taking the property to return it, to pay compensation

(damages), or both. If the property is taken by the state or a public body in wrongful

exercise of a statutory or other power, the decision to do so can be challenged in

administrative law by seeking a declaration that it is invalid and should be reconsidered.

1.2 Criminal, civil and administrative law

The criminal law is principally concerned with the imposition of fines and imprisonment

sought by the state against persons. The civil law is concerned with awarding compensation

and making orders in favor of one person against another. Administrative law is principally

concerned with making orders concerning the administrative actions of the state and public

bodies.

1.3 Obtaining redress

The usual means of obtaining redress is in a court of law. The criminal courts, primarily the

Magistrates' Courts and the Crown Court, are concerned with redress in respect of criminal

matters .The civil courts, primarily the County Courts and the High Court, are concerned

with redress regarding civil claims. In many countries, a separate court is established to deal

with claims concerning the administrative actions of the state and public bodies, but this is

not the case in everywhere, where administrative law matters are dealt with by the High

Court. The courts are not the only means of obtaining redress in many civil matters.

1.4 The civil law of obligations

Each of the principal divisions of law - criminal law, civil law and administrative law -

contains numerous subdivisions. The subdivision that is relevant to this publication, and to

the series of which it forms part, is that part of the civil law concerned with the law of

obligations.

1.5 Obligations in contract and tort

The law of obligations has, in turn, two parts: the law of contract and the law of torts. In the

law of contract, a person's obligations are primarily founded on agreement and are, in

general, owed only to the other party to the agreement, not to persons generally. Because

obligations owed in contract are founded on agreement, they can be as prescriptive and

detailed as the parties wish and their agreement requires. For example, agreed obligations

can concern the development of an office block in accordance with detailed requirements,

or the structuring of a long-term business relationship, such as a partnership. It would be

impossible to regulate such relationships using only the law of torts, since obligations in tort

are too generalized. In the law of torts, a person's obligations are primarily determined by

general principles of law and are, ordinarily, owed to persons generally. Since obligations

owed in tort are imposed as part of the general law, they are expressed in the form of

general standards of conduct. For example: the obligation to exercise reasonable skill and

care so as not to cause injury or damage to others forms the basis of the tort of negligence;

the obligation not to unreasonably interfere with a person's use or enjoyment of their land

forms the basis of the tort of nuisance. Both parts of the law of obligations are significant for

the construction industry. Work on a building project, such as the provision of consultant

services, construction or materials, will ordinarily be carried out under a contract since this

is the only way that obligations having the required definition and precision can be given

legal force. But the work provided may, if defective, cause damage not only to the person

with whom those obligations are agreed but to others, such as adjacent landowners, users

and subsequent owners of the project. While the person or persons with whom the contract

is made will, ordinarily, be able to seek redress in the law of contract, those who are not

parties to that contract will have to seek redress in the law of torts.

The law of contract is of fundamental importance for the construction industry because the

contract is the principal vehicle for those working on a project to be engaged, their

obligations are regulated and redress assessed if things go wrong. The law of torts has a

subsidiary importance if things do go wrong.

1.6 Rights and obligations

The law is often discussed in terms of obligations, there is, in general, for each obligation a

corresponding right .Thus, an obligation not to unreasonably interfere with a person's use or

enjoyment of land can be seen, from the perspective of a landowner, as a right to enjoy and

use their land free from such unreasonable interference. An obligation to perform the terms

of an agreement can be viewed from the other party's perspective as a right to have those

obligations performed. In contract law, these rights and obligations are often referred to as

the benefits and burdens of the contract.

1.7 Defining a contract

There are various definitions that attempt to encapsulate the essential nature of a contract.

The definition that is most readily understandable in a commercial context is that a contract

is an agreement that gives rise to obligations, and corresponding rights, that the law will

recognize and enforce.

Since a contract is founded on agreement, the parties are free, within wide limits, to agree

the obligations to which they wish to be bound. This is known as the doctrine of freedom of

contract. It means, at any rate in a commercial context, that the parties to a contract will

ordinarily be bound by the agreement they make, however inappropriate, one sided or even

ruinous that agreement may turn out to be for one of them. The corollary of the doctrine of

freedom of contract is that a person cannot be forced to contract. In a commercial context

this means that, if terms cannot be agreed, either party to the negotiations can walk away,

however inconvenient or costly, in terms of wasted time and money, this is for the other

party. It may be possible to break off negotiations and walk away even if work has

commenced in anticipation of a proposed contract.

Once a contract is concluded, it binds the parties in law. If a party to a contract fails to

comply with its obligations under the contract, the other can seek redress for that failure.

This can be done, as appropriate, by enforcing a right to payment (a claim in debt), by

seeking financial compensation for losses suffered as a result of the failure (a claim in

damages for breach of contract) or, in certain circumstances where financial compensation

does not provide adequate redress, by an order that the defaulting party perform its

obligations (a claim for specific performance) or stop acting in breach of its obligations (an

injunction). For example, if a consultant fails to perform services he or she has contracted to

provide, the client can seek damages based on the additional cost of obtaining substitute

performance from another consultant. If an employer fails to pay for work provided by a

contractor, the contractor can recover that payment as a debt. If a person contracts to sell

land, such as an office or house, but refuses to complete the sale, the purchaser can seek an

order that the land be conveyed to it.

1.8 Categories of contract

The categories of contract is most relevant to the construction industry include the

following.

Contracts made by deed and simple contracts (the rest). Contracts entered into by deed do

not require consideration; simple contracts do. For example, a promise of a gift will be

contractually binding only if it is given by deed. Contracts made by deed also attract a longer

limitation period (the period during which proceedings for redress must ordinarily

commence) than simple contracts. The period is 12 years from breach for contracts made by

deed, 6 years from breach for simple contracts.

Contracts for estates or interests in land (such as a contract for the sale or lease of a house

or office). Such contracts are governed by the Law of Property Acts and related legislation

and by that branch of the law known as the law of real property. Most of such contracts are

subject to the code for payment and dispute resolution provided for in that Act.

Arbitration agreements (an agreement that provides that disputes will be determined by a

private tribunal sitting as arbitrator, not by the court). Such agreements are subject to the

detailed code set out in the Arbitration Act 1996.

Consumer contracts (certain categories of contract, principally contracts for goods, for work

and materials and for services where one of the parties is contracting for purposes that are

outside the scope of its business, if any, and the other is contracting in the course of a

business). Such contracts are subject to various statutory controls that may invalidate

certain types of unfair or unreasonable terms imposed to the determent of the consumer.

1.9 The importance of contracts in the construction industry:

Contract is only the forming agreements that are recognized as binding by the law of

contract that the parties can regulate their rights and obligations in the knowledge that

these rights and obligations can, if necessary, be enforced. Given the importance of contract

law in structuring commercial relations, it is surprising that those procuring and providing

work in the construction industry often deal inadequately with the formation of their

contracts. This leads not only to uncertainties about what was agreed and when, but also to

disputes about whether a binding agreement was concluded at all and whether legally

enforceable obligations are created to provide work or' to pay for it. Such disputes can arise

during the work as well as after it is completed.

1.10 Contractual terms used in formation of contract

The obligations that the parties accept when they conclude a contract are contained in its

terms. The terms may be express or implied or, more usually, a combination of both.

1.10.1 Express terms

Express terms are those that the parties expressly state when making their contract. Express

terms may be written or oral. Oral terms may be evidenced in writing.

* Written terms set out in documents forming the contract - for example, where a client and

builder execute a copy of a standard form building contract, such as a copy of the FIDIC

condition of contract setting out all of the terms they have agreed, or where, as is often the

case in a contract for the sale of goods, all of the terms are set out in a letter of offer,

accepted by the purchaser orally or by conduct.

* Written terms contained in documents referred to (incorporated by reference) in the

exchange of communications forming the contract

* Oral terms agreed at a meeting or over the telephone. It is preferable for oral terms to be

recorded (evidenced) in writing so that there can be no dispute about what was said, for

instance by making and circulating a note of what was agreed. But failure to do this will not

affect the validity of such terms, unless the contract is of a type whose terms must be made

or evidenced in writing.

1.10.2 Implied terms

Implied terms are those that are included in a contract even if the parties do not expressly

refer to them at the time the contract is concluded.

* Contract terms are implied by law or by statute if the contract is of a type in which such

terms are ordinarily implied and the implication of those terms is not contrary to the

express terms of the contract. For example, terms are ordinarily implied by the Sale of

Goods Acts into contracts for the sale of goods, and by the Supply of Goods and Services

Acts and law into contracts for work and materials or for services.

* Terms implied to reflect the parties' presumed intention if, having regard to the words

used in the contract and the circumstances at the time it was concluded, they are necessary

to give business efficacy to the contract or are so obviously a part of the contract that both

parties would, if asked at the time, have said that they go without saying. For example, a

contract to use a wharf will be subject to an implied term that it is safe for the ship to lie at

that wharf. But a term will not be implied on this basis if it is inconsistent with the express

words of the contract.

* Terms may be implied by custom where the custom is a certain and general incident of a

particular trade or place, and the use of the term is well known, reasonable and not

contrary to law or to the express words of the contract.

* Contract terms implied by course of dealing where the parties have contracted on the

same terms on a number of previous occasions and they make another contract of similar

type without expressly referring to those terms.

1.10.3 Exemption clauses

An exemption clause is a contract term by which one party, usually but not invariably the

party proposing the terms of contract, seeks to avoid or exempt itself from what would

otherwise be its obligations or liability under the contract (an exclusion clause), or seeks to

restrict or limit its liability in some way (a limitation clause).An exemption clause can work

indirectly by, for instance, restricting the enforcement of obligations under a contract, or by

making enforcement unusually onerous.

Exemption clauses are commonly found in standard terms of business. For example, a seller

of goods may seek to limit its obligations by providing in its standard terms that they form

the whole agreement of the parties, and no terms are to be implied at law. The purpose of

such wording is to exclude the implied terms of quality and title that would otherwise apply

to the contract. A consultant provides in its terms of appointment that any liability, whether

for default under the contract or in negligence, is limited to a specific sum. The purpose of

such a provision is to cap the consultant's potential liability to its client. Because exemption

clauses exclude or limit what would otherwise be a party's obligations or liabilities under a

contract, they must be clearly incorporated and clearly worded if they are to be effective.

There are also various statutory controls over the effectiveness of such provisions, and, in a

few instances, criminal sanctions are imposed on those who seek to include such clauses in

their contracts.

1.11 Most Commonly Used Types of contract in UAE construction industry

There are various types of conditions of contracts used all over the world. Most commonly

used conditions of contracts in the past are FIDIC in Middle East & JCT & NEC in United

Kingdom. In United Kingdom mainly JCT & NEC conditions of contract is in practice in various

forms. The conditions of contracts are listing the legal structure to be refereed to in case of

any dispute or ambiguity arises. It also establishes a common basis to both the contractor

and the client in understanding each party's commitments and rights against the other

party. Understanding the rights and obligations are important prior to the agreement of a

contract between the parties.

1.12 Key contract clauses used in condition of contract

1.12.1 Audit -

This clause typically outlines an owner's right to perform reviews (audits) of contractor costs

or records. Such clauses ordinarily outline what costs or records are subject to audit, when

and under what circumstances. In cost plus contract this clause is very useful to client to

restrict the overall project cost

1.12.2 Changes -

This clause is critical. This is the clause that allows the owner to direct changes to the work,

including plans, specifications, and time of performance, means, and methods. Absent a

change clause, an owner is precluded from making changes to the work. Of particular

importance in this clause is whether the clause allows the owner to unilaterally direct

changes to the work (in which case, if the contractor refuses to comply with the directives,

they are in breach of the contract). Alternatively, the clause requires the owner and the

contractor to mutually agree on the change (a bilateral change). On the other hand if there

has been any discrepancy in specification or drawing this clause will help contractually to

change this discrepancy with required adjustments. However changes can result positive or

negative variation in construction industry.

1.12.3 Contractor Responsibilities -

This clause lays out, in general form, the duties, obligations and responsibilities of the

contractor in performance of the work. This clause assigns specific risks to the contractor,

including customarily the risk of adequate labor and equipment to accomplish the work

within the required timeframe, the obligation to perform work safely, to perform work in

strict accordance with the terms and conditions of the plans and specifications, and to be

responsible for the work of subcontractors and suppliers, etc. This clause is very important

in construction for client's points of view. As such client investing a large amount of money

in the project so because of this clause he will get relief and guaranty for the works which

has to be executed.

1.12.4 Delays -

This is, ordinarily, a risk allocation clause with respect to delays in the work. “Excusable

delay” under a contract results in time extensions but no time related damages. That is, a

contractor's performance time is extended because of excusable delay situation, but the

contract is not entitled to collect time extension costs nor is the owner entitled to impose

late completion damages for this time. “Compensable delay”, on the other hand, results in

both a time extension as well a time excusable and compensable to the contractor while

contractor caused delay is the responsibility of the contractor (to either make up the lost

time or pay the contractually stipulate late completion damages). Third-party caused delay

(sometimes referred to as force majeure delay) is, most often, excusable and no

compensable to the contractor.

1.12.5 Differing Site Conditions or Changed Conditions -

This clause normally provides an equitable adjustment to the contract in the event the

contractor encounters a materially different condition at the site during performance of the

work. This is the clause which will give relief to the contractor when he will get differ in site

condition e.g. Nonstop rain for few months. Differing site conditions are unforcing events no

one can predict these events. In this situation this clause is very important in construction

industry to restrict unnecessary claims

1.12.6 Dispute Resolution -

This clause customarily sets forth the mechanism to resolve disputes during the

performance of the work. Most dispute clauses contain some form of a stepped resolution

system. For example, the clause may require on site negotiation between project managers,

followed by an appeal to project executives, followed by 3 days of mediation, followed by

binding arbitration under a formal set of rules. Often, the location (jurisdiction) of the

disputes resolution will be set forth. In construction industry there are several methods of

dispute resolution like negotiation, mediation, Conciliation natural evaluation, adjudication,

arbitration, and litigation. However each of then having its own framework to resolve the

dispute. These are the primary steps of resolving the the disputes on claims in construction

industry.

1.12.7 Force Majeure -

Some contracts contain a force majeure clause or a clause dealing with delays to the work

caused by unforeseeable events beyond the control of both the owner and the contractor.

Such clauses often provide lists of examples of force majeure events - acts of God, acts of

the government, civil disorder, acts of war, adverse weather, fires, floods, strikes, etc. Other

contracts provide for such events in the excusable delay clause. In construction to get the

relief to the parties involved in the contract from the unforeseen event. This will help to

gain loss or expense due to unforeseen event.

1.12.8 Governing Law -

The contracts involve parties from differing locations with subcontractors and suppliers

from even more locations. Accordingly, contracts often specify which law applies to a

dispute, regardless of where the dispute is handled.

1.12.9 Indemnification -

To indemnify another is to protect them against loss or damage either by paying for the loss

or standing in their place in the event of legal dispute. An indemnification clause in a

contract typically requires a contractor to indemnify the owner against all loss resulting

from contractor errors, omissions, accidents, third party property damages in construction

industry.

1.12.10 Insurance -

This clause requiring the owners and contractors to furnish multiple insurance policies prior

to commencing work, among which are the following: builder's risk/all risk; workman's

compensation; automobile, aircraft, and/or marine liability; general liability; bodily injury;

broad form property damage; completed operations; personal injury; etc. Generally in UAE

construction industry Third party insurance and professional indemnity insurance are

covered in the contract document.

1.12.11 Late Completion Damages -

This clause specifies the damages for late completion. In general terms, there are two types

of late completion damages - actual and liquidated. Actual damages are those damages an

owner actually suffers when a contract is completed late and may include loss of revenue,

increased engineering, architectural or inspection services, increased financing costs etc.

Liquidated damages, on the other hand, is a pre-agreed upon amount the contractor will

pay the owner in the event the project is completed late due to no excusable delay cause-

that is, due solely to the contractor's fault. Such damages are typically expressed in terms of

a daily cost and need not be proven as actually incurred if the project is completed late.

1.12.12 Limitation of liability -

In order to cap (or limit) a contractor's risk from late completion damages, performance

penalties, etc., under a contract, many contracts contain a clause limiting maximum liability

to a percentage of the value of the contract. However this clause is very important UAE

construction industry. UAE is fast growing country and maximum contracts are on lump-sum

basis. Contractors have to bear all risk involved in the construction.

1.12.13 Order of Precedence -

This clause intended to provide guidance to both the owner and the contractor in the event

of conflicting provisions. Typically, specifications have precedence over general provisions,

and so on and so forth. The legal concept is to provide guidance to people on projects in the

event there are two or more conflicting provisions relating to a topic. In UAE construction

industry most preferable contract is FIDIC and the order of precedence used is Contract

document, ant amendment to contract document, drawing, specification and Bill of

Quantity. However if any disputes arises the above mentioned order is used to settle the

disputes in construction

1.12.14 Owner Responsibilities -

Similar to a contractor responsibility clause, an owner responsibility clause ordinarily sets

forth the obligations of the project owner, including adequate project financing, all required

and necessary permits, appropriate site access, etc. These are the responsibilities covered in

the contract document to run the project without any disturbance from the client/owner

side. These clauses bound the owner in contractual framework to take any action during the

execution of works

1.12.15 Payments -

This is key contract clause in terms of project cash flow. This clause sets forth how often the

contractor is to be paid, in what manner, and what are the conditions precedents to the

issuance of payment. In construction it helps the contractor to manage the finance before

the commencement of project.

1.12.16 Quantity Variations -

The contracts contain estimated quantities to be installed. In the event as-bid quantity

estimates vary substantially (+/- 10 percent or more) many contracts (both unit price and

lump sum) contain a quantity variation clause which allows either the owner or the

contractor to request a predetermination of the as-bid unit price on affected portions of the

work.

1.12.17 Schedules -

A schedule clause typically sets forth the requirement for contractor scheduled , including

format (bar chart vs. CPM), level of detail, submittal requirements, frequency of schedule

updating, damages for failure to submit, delay or time extension analysis requirement,

actions to be taken in the events of forecasted late schedule, etc.

1.12.18 Suspension of Work -

This clause habitually allows a project owner to suspend or stop all or some of the work,

with or without clause. Such clauses normally provide for some adjustment to the terms of

the contract in such events, including a time extension and payment of delay costs.

However, recovery of time and cost limited by the terms of contract. Often, if the actual

clause of the suspension order is something for which the contractor is responsible (i.e.,

unsafe work conditions, work not in compliance with contract requirement, etc.) no

recovery time or cost is allowed. This clause gives the owner choice to delete the some or

whole part of work with legal manner

1.12.19 Termination -

Almost all contracts have a provision allowing the owner to end, in whole or in part,

performance of the work prior to project completion. There are, typically, two types of

termination; termination for convenience and termination for default. Termination for

convenience usually occurs when a project owner decides, for their own reasons, not to

complete the project as designed. Such situations might arise if the owner's needs change, if

project financing fails, or if the underlying project economics change substantially. In such a

circumstance, the owner may elect to terminate the contractor's performance for the

convenience of the owner and pay off the contractor in accordance with the terms of the

clause. Termination for default arises only when a contractor is found to be in material

breach of the contract, has been provided with a cure notice form the owner outlining the

material breach, and has failed to remedy the breach in a timely manner. Usually the owner

will terminate the contractor from the project and call upon the contractor's financial

guarantees to complete the work (i.e., letter of credit or surety bond). Some contracts also

provide a contractor the right to terminate their participation in a project. Under certain

carefully proscribed circumstances (such as, failure to make payments, bankruptcy of the

owner, suspension of the work for more than a defined period of time, etc.) the contractor

is allowed to terminate their own involvement in the project.

1.12.20 Time of the Essence/Time of Performance-

Timely project completion is normally important, most contracts contain a clause stating

that “Time is of the essence of this contract. “Such a clause must be included to make

enforceable a time of performance clause and collection of late completion damages.

Absent such a clause, the time of project completion is considered unenforceable. The time

of performance clause, typically expressed either in work or calendar days after issuance of

notice to precede, sets froth when the work must be completed and the consequences of

failure to meet these dates.

1.12.21 Warranty -

A warranty clause, which ordinarily continues in existence for some specified period of time

after project completion, guarantees the contractor's work after project acceptance. It is not

uncommon for warranty clauses to require a warranty for 1 year after project completion,

during which time, if any portion of the project fails, the contractor is obligated to return to

the project and make it right or agree to some commercial settlement of the issue.

1.13 Strengths and Weaknesses of contract in construction industry

Various advantages and disadvantages in the usage of contracts. The contracts are imposing

a better control over the contractors and always state the penalties for non-compliance.

Punishment used as a tool for guidance of the projects for timely completion and it is not

working always successfully.

1.13.1 Strengths

* Firmly laid down rules and regulations

Rules and regulations are made up to follow the instruction in the same way contract

provides rules and regulation for the parties. It provides instruction to the parties what

should have to be done at each stage of the projects. Such as health and safety requirement

in document for each construction project.

* Pre agreed procedural commitments

Contract includes the procedure which should have to follow by the parties involved in it. It

provides what should be done by the parties in the initial stage of the project, during the

execution of the project and after the completion of the project. It provides a complete

framework for the parties which should have to follow to achieve the contractual goal by

minimising the disputes and good quality product. E.g. provision of payment terms in the

document.

* Better control over the contractor

Contract is a legally binding document which clearly specifies the roles and responsibility of

the parties. Provisions like warranty, late completion damage, schedule in the contract puts

pressure on contractor to be in line with the contract. This will avoid unnecessary delay and

unnecessary claims in construction industry. E.g Provision of liquidation damage and penalty

clauses.

* Pre defined dispute resolution techniques such as arbitration and amicable settlement

Disputes are common in construction industry. In the court of law it takes several months or

several years to take the decision. To avoid this in construction alternative disputes

resolution technique amended in the contract. After all it's a matter of money for one of the

party and alternative dispute resolution is a quick method to resolve dispute. In UAE several

techniques are used to resolve the disputes as stated above.

* Legal binding between both the parties with the signing of the agreement

After signing the agreement by the both parties contract is a legal document. Once the

contract is awarded it other parties responsibility to complete the contract with required

output. If any party fail to complete the contract the contract document will provide the

remedy for the failure.

* Allocation of risks and responsibilities of each party

Construction includes technical and contractual risks. However these risks are for both

parties involved in the contract. Contract provides the proper risk allocation and

responsibilities for each party.

1.13.2 Weaknesses

* Ambiguities and misinterpretation

These are the human error occurred in the contract document. Lack of experience in

drafting the contract document creates discrepancy and misrepresentation in the contract

document. However it creates unnecessary claims in construction industry and ultimately

affects the budget of client. E.g inefficient specification and drawings

* Misunderstanding and misleading

Inexperience contract administration and lack of knowledge in the subject of contract

creates misunderstanding and misleading during the execution of project. The over all result

creates claims from both sides of the parties involved in the contract.

* Unclear and complicated legal terms

These are the contractual terms used in contract. Most of the cases participant in the

contract not able to get clear picture of complicated legal terms. For e.g. penalty clauses

and liquidation damages clauses.

* Lengthy dispute resolution techniques

Disputes are closely related to money for each party. One will gain money and other will

loos money. Provision of making dispute resolution in contract clearly specifies the time

requirement for the technique used to resolve dispute. These techniques are time

consuming technique and if both parties angry on it then only the result will come out other

wise it will go to the court of law.

* Load the sole responsibility on the contractor

Most of the contract used in construction industry transfers maximum risk on contractor

side. This is because of most of the clients are not aware of construction industry and they

don't want to be involved in construction activities. Risk involves significance increase in

cost of material, property damage and economic damage to the community, delay in project

completion.

1.13.3 Practicability

The contracts are in practice traditionally over a long period, the parties consists awareness

of application and acquaint to the system. When a contractor receives a tender to price, he

even is not reading the conditions of contract because he has bighearted the same and

overconfident. Due to this habit if any amendment made even in the particular application,

it will be overlooked by the contractor. This negligence will lead to major disasters and the

damage is realized during the progress of the works. There is no remedy, which is possible

at this stage and the consequences are to be bared by the contractor.

1.13.4 Applicability and Coverage

Contracts are covering the full scope of the construction of a project. It is furnishing a fair

coverage of the contractual issues normally appearing during the operational stage expects

the complicated and irresolvable disputes when the contractor is in disagreement. It is a

typical interpretation provided by the contracts and if the same is accepted by the

contractor then it is resolved and concluded then and there it self.

The serious issues between the client and the contractor are referred to arbitration. This is a

process of about one year and in a project spanning over a year of contract period this type

of dispute resolution is disastrous. So it can be defined as the coverage of a condition of

contract is only applicable for minor issues and not at all for major and complicated

contractual issues. There fore it is important to seek for an alternative dispute resolution

technique, which is more sustainable in addition to the conditions of contract in the

contract administration of projects.

2 CLAIMS UNDER FIDIC CONDITION OF CONTRACT

2.1 Introduction

Claim is a legal action to obtain money or the enforcement of the right against another

party. The legal document which carries claim is called statement of claims (Wikipedia).

Contracts are playing a major role in construction claims. It is the law book, establishes the

clauses relevant to various aspects for the post contract administrators to follow. When the

contractors are submitting a claim, they have to refer to relevant contract clauses stated in

the contract between the parties. Without the clause reference, the claims are invalidated.

Therefore, it is a compulsory requirement for a project to have a, conditions of contract.

Contract means a bilateral agreement between two or more parties made prior to

commencement of works in a construction project.

Claims mainly generated by the contractor to the client. For employer claim reflect an

increase in price for the project and for contractor it many be a source of further income

from the project

2.2 Basis of claims in construction industry

Claims under the contract based on the certain event occur and culminant became entitle to

a remedy specified under the particular provision of contract. Such event having two types

first, it is specified event under the contract, which may or may not occur. Secondly, the

specified events which are a breach of a particular stipulation in the contract entitling a

claimant to a designated remedy if the provisions of such stipulation are not, or only

partially, complied with

Claim arises out of the contract which is based on the grounds that a term of contract had

been breached but the remedy is not designated. If the claim is valid, the remedy lies under

the provision of the applicable law of contract.

Claim under the law of tort of the applicable law of the contract, based on the grounds of a

specific legal rule or principle. If the claim is successful, the remedy lies in general in a 'just

and equitable' award depending upon the particular circumstances of the case.

A claim where no contract exists between the parties, or, if one existed, is deemed to be

void. It is based on the principle that an individual has the right to be paid a reasonable

remuneration for work done.

Finally there is the ex gratia claim (out of kindness) where there is no legal basis but rather

some commercial sense in making a settlement.

2.3 Generation of claims

Claims arise when contractor determines that they are entitled to payment to account for

loss or expense they have incurred due to the action of other. Claims generated due to

various reasons such as;

* Site conditions

* Variations and additional works

* Physical obstructions unforeseen by the contractor

* Adverse climatic conditions

* Delay in issuance of design drawings

* Change of nature of work

* Suspension of work

* Prevention by the client

* Breech of contract

* Possession of site

* Ambiguities of the contract

* Insufficiency of coverage

* Various other reasons

2.4 Contract clauses applicable to claims

In UAE mostly used conditions of contract FIDIC 4, 1987 edition amended to suit local

conditions and most appropriate clauses related to claims are;

* Priority of contract documents (5.2)

* Notice of disruption of progress (6.3)

* Delays and cost of delay in issue of documents (6.4)

* Failure by contractor to submit documents (6.5)

* Permanent works designed by contractor (7.2)

* Contractor's general responsibilities (8.1)

* Claim under performance security (10.3)

* Sufficiency of tender (12.1)

* Adverse physical obstructions or conditions (12.2)

* Notices (12.3)

* Programme and cash flow (14)

* Care of work (20)

* Employer's risks (20.4)

* Contractor's risks (20.5)

* Fossils (27.1)

* Opportunities for other contractors (31.1)

* Facilities for other contractors (31.2)

* Materials, plant and workmanship (36)

* Uncovering and making openings (38.2)

* Removal of improper work, material and plant (39.1)

* Default of contractor in compliance (39.2)

* Suspension of work (40)

* Possession of site and access (42.1)

* Failure to give possession (42.2)

* Time for completion (43.1)

* Extension o0f time (44)

* Rate of progress (46.1)

* Penalty for delay (47)

* Taking-over certificate (48)

* Defects liability period (49)

* Contractor to search (50.1)

* Variations (51)

* Valuation of variations (52)

* Notice of claims (53.1)

* Contemporary records (53.2)

* Substantiation of claims (53.3)

* Failure to comply (53.4)

* Payment of claims (53.5)

* Correction of errors (55.2)

* Method of measurement (57.1)

* Breakdown of lump sum items (57.2)

* Provisional sums (58)

* Nominated sub-contractors (59)

* Monthly statements (60)

* Defects liability certificate (62.1)

* Default of contractor (63)

* Urgent remedial work (64.1)

* Special risks (65)

* Payment in the event of release of performance (66.1)

* Engineer's decision (67.1)

* Amicable settlement (67.2)

* Arbitration (67.3)

* Failure to comply with engineer's decision (67.4)

* Law an procedure (67.5)

* Default of employer (69.1)

* Contractor's entitlement to suspend work (69.4)

* Increase or decrease of cost (70)

The most frequent causes of delay according to owners, consultants and contractors are

shown in Table - 1. From the owners point of view the most frequent causes of delay are

related to both contractor and labors. And from the contractors point of view the delay of

progress payment by the owner is one of the most server causes of delay. The most server

causes of the delay as seen by the owner are as follows

* Storage of labors

* Unqualified work force

* Inadequate contractors experience

* Difficulties in financing the project by the contractor

* Ineffective planning and scheduling of project by contractor

* Low productivity level of labor

* Reworks due to error in construction

* Delay in progress due to late payment by owner

* Original contract duration is too short Similarly the most server causes of delay as seen by

the consultant are as follows

* Difficulties in financing project by contractor.

* Inadequate contractor's experience.

* Shortage of labors.

* Delay in progress payments by owner.

* Delay in material delivery.

* Poor site management and supervision by contractor.

* Ineffective planning and scheduling of project by contractor.

* Type of project bidding and award.

* Poor qualification of the contractor's technical staff.

* Low productivity level of labors.

* Unqualified work force.

When we considering claims most frequent and most disruptive claims is “Delays and time

extension claims”. Time overrun claim can be divided in to three categories

1) Those over which neither party to the contract has any control

2) Those over which the construction owner has control

3) Those over which contractor has a control

Generally recognized that claim of type 1 are part of the contractor's normal and legitimate

monetary risk, and hence should give neither party grounds for monetary recompense, but

that the contractor completion date should be extended in order to protect contractor from

liquidated damage claims from the late completion. Alternatively in the extreme a contract

may be repudiated due to ‘frustration'. It is also recognized that for claim of type 2 the

contractor should receive fair and recompense (cost and time), where as for type 3 claims

the contractor is full responsible.

TABLE NO 1 - LIST OF CAUSES OF DELAY CATEGORISED IN GROUPS

No.

Causes of delay

Group

1

Original contract duration is too short

Project

2

Legal disputes b/w various parts

Project

3

Inadequate definition of substantial completion

Project

4

Ineffective delay penalties

Project

5

Type of construction contract (Turnkey, construction only,.)

Project

6

Type of project bidding and award (Negotiation, lowest bidder,.)

Project

7

Delay in progress payments by owner

Owner

8

Delay to furnish and deliver the site to the contractor by the owner

Owner

9

Change orders by owner during construction

Owner

10

Late in revising and approving design documents by owner

Owner

11

Delay in approving shop drawings and sample materials

Owner

12

Poor communication and coordination by owner and other parties

Owner

13

Slowness in decision making process by owner

Owner

14

Conflicts between joint- ownership of the project

Owner

15

Unavailability of incentives for contractor for finishing ahead of schedule

Owner

16

Suspension of work by owner

Owner

17

Difficulties in financing project by contractor

Contractor

18

Conflicts in sub-contractors schedule in execution of project

Contractor

19

Rework due to errors during construction

Contractor

20

Conflicts b/w contractor and other parties (Consultant and owner)

Contractor

21

Poor site management and supervision by contractor

Contractor

22

Poor communication and coordination by contractor with other parties

Contractor

23

Ineffective planning and scheduling of project by contractor

Contractor

24

Improper construction methods implemented by contractor

Contractor

25

Delays in sub-contractors work

Contractor

26

Inadequate contractor's work

Contractor

27

Frequent change of sub-contractors because of their inefficient work

Contractor

28

Poor qualification of the contractor's technical staff

Contractor

29

Delay in site mobilization

Contractor

30

Delay in performing inspection and testing by consultant

Consultant

31

Delay in approving major changes in the scope of work by consultant

Consultant

32

Inflexibility (rigidity) of Consultant

Consultant

33

Poor communication / coordination between consultant and other parties

Consultant

34

Late in reviewing and approving design documents by consultant

Consultant

35

Conflicts between consultant and design engineer

Consultant

36

Inadequate experience of consultant

Consultant

37

Mistakes and discrepancies in design documents

Design

38

Delays in producing design documents

Design

39

Unclear and inadequate details in drawing

Design

40

Complexity of project design

Design

41

Insufficient data collection and survey before design

Design

42

Misunderstanding of owner's requirements by design engineer

Design

43

Inadequate design-team experience

Design

44

Un-use of advanced engineering design software

Design

45

Shortage of construction materials in market

Materials

46

Changes in material types and specifications during construction

Materials

47

Delay in material delivery

Materials

48

Damage of stored material while they are needed urgently

Materials

49

Delay in manufacturing special building materials

Materials

50

Late procurement of materials

Materials

51

Late in selection of finishing materials due to availability of many types in market

Materials

52

Equipment breakdowns

Equipment

53

Shortage of equipment

Equipment

54

Low level of equipment-operator's skill

Equipment

55

Low level of equipment-operator's skill

Equipment

56

Lack of high-technology mechanical equipment

Equipment

57

Shortage of labours

Labours

58

Unqualified workforce

Labours

59

Nationality of labours

Labours

60

Nationality of labours

Labours

61

Personal conflicts among labours

Labours

62

Effects of subsurface conditions (e.g., soil, high water table, etc.)

External

63

Effects of subsurface conditions (e.g., soil, high water table, etc.)

External

64

Hot weather effect on construction activities

External

65

Hot weather effect on construction activities

External

66

Unavailability of utilities on site such as, water, electricity, telephone, etc

External

67

Effect of social and cultural factors

External

68

Traffic control and restriction at job site

External

69

Accident during construction

External

70

Differing site (ground) conditions

External

71

Changes in government regulations and laws

External

72

Delay in providing services from utilities (such as water, electricity)

External

73

Delay in performing final inspection and certification by a third party

External

The red book provides procedures for claim announcement and to be followed by the

contractor. Clauses which expressly provide procedure for claims notification and

particularization which are as follows

* 6.3 Notice of delay or disruption in case of delayed information or instructions:

* 12.2 Notice of adverse physical obstructions or conditions

* 30.3 Notice of damage to any bridge or road due to the transport of materials or plant

* 38.1 Notice of when any part of the works or foundation is ready to be covered up

(compliance required for 38.2 to apply.

* 40.3 Notice requesting permission to proceed with work after a suspension lasting more

than 84 days (Compliance required for 51.1 to apply.

* 42.1 Notice containing “reasonable proposal” regarding access and possession

(Compliance required - arguably - for 42.2 to apply);

* 44.2 Notice of an application for an extension of time:

* 52.2 Notice to claim additional payment for varied work

* 53.1 Notice to claim additional payment “under any clause of these conditions or

otherwise”

* 65.5 Notice of increased costs arising from special risk

* 69.4 Notice of suspension by the contractor due to non payment by engineer

2.5 Establishing Entitlement - the legal basis for claims under FIDIC condition of contract

All mainstream forms of contract used in the construction and engineering industries

contain contractual machinery to deal with claims for extensions of time and additional

cost. FIDIC red book 4th edition contains the following provisions allowing recovery of

additional cost in specified circumstances including the following;

Clauses 6.3/6.4: Engineers failure to issue drawings or instructions within a reasonable time

of the Contractor giving notice of their requirement.

Clause 12.2: Contractor encountering physical obstructions or conditions not reasonably

foreseeable by an experienced Contractor.

Clause 27.1: Instructions relating to discovery of fossils/antiquities etc.

Clause 31.2: Contractor makes facilities available to others working on site.

Clauses 36.5, 38.2: Contractor incurs costs testing or uncovering works and such tests or

uncovering shows that the Contractor's works were not defective.

Clause 40.2: Contractor is instructed to suspend the works.

Clause 42.2: The Employer fails to provide access in accordance with the requirements of

the contract/programme.

Clause 51: Variations are ordered

In addition Clause 44.1 cites certain other circumstances that may entitle the Contractor to

more time, including adverse weather, and provides the machinery by which the Engineer

has to extend the time for completion. Clause 44.1 is closely inter-linked with clause 47.1

which provides that the Contractor shall pay liquidated damages at the agreed rate in the

event of failure to complete on time.

The Red Book ( 4th Edition) provides in certain circumstance a contractor's entitlement to

claim may be lost if he fails to give notice of his intention to claim or fails to provide detailed

claim particulars within the time scale prescribed. There are two provisions of the red Book

(4th Edition) which states that a failure to comply with the specified notice or

particularization produces for making a claim will satisfy the rejection of claim. First, clause

44.2, which is concerned with applications for extension of time, This clauses provides that

in case of noncompliance with time limit to provide notice and/or to provide detailed claim

particulars, the engineer “ is not bound to make any determination” of a claim for an

extension of time. The engineer, therefore, has discretion not to make a determination if

either the time limit for notice or for particularization is not met. Second, Clause 52.2 which

applies to application for payment for variations, This clauses states that the varied work

will not be valued unless notice of an intention to claim extra payment is made within 14

days of the date of the instruction. This clause allows for a claim to be disallowed if the 14

days time is not complied with. All claims for additional payment under the Red book ( 4th

Edition) require 28 days notice from the date of the event giving rise to the claim. The

following suggest the procedure for the claim under clause 53.3. 1 shows claim procedure

under FIDIC condition of contract.

2.6 How to evaluate the financial amount

The principles behind an additional cost claim are simply that due to events and

circumstances for which the other party is responsible, execution of the Works became

more difficult than foreseen and/or the period for completion of the Works is longer.

Valuation of claims associated with delays and disruption which suffered by a Contractor

and the sorts of loss and expense to which the Contractor is entitled.

Costs for delay and disruption consist of the following:

1. Additional expenditure

2. Interest and Finance Charges

3. Loss of Productivity

4. Inflationary Cost Increases

5. Site Overheads

6. Off-site or Head Office Overheads

7. Loss of Profit

3 Previous studies on the issues of problems which generate claims

3.1 Identifying potential contract problems

While there are numerous items and services that can be purchased, each purchase of

goods and services faces the same set of contractual risks that affect the successful

accomplishment of any of the 5 “R's”. Abi-Karam (2002) suggested that every purchase

should be evaluated for six types of risks: Proposal risk, Surety and liability risks, Schedule

risk, Contractual risk, Performance risk and Price risk.

Davison and Wright (2004) expanded on the definition of these risks to include their

relationship to the following five “R's”:

Proposal risk: The legal document that defines the item or service procured (the right item),

the mutual areas of agreement, and how risks will be allocated and rewarded.

Surety and liability risks: Protection of the agency's financial and legal interests (the right

price). The contract will define the insurance requirements, bonding requirements, and

licensing that are necessary to protect the agency in the event of contract termination or to

meet statutory requirements.

Schedule risk: Ensuring timely delivery (the right time). The contract will contain clear and

specific language describing the contract deliverables, delivery terms, and any penalties for

late delivery.

Contractual risk: Establishing change order procedures, dispute resolution process and

termination procedures (the right price and time).The contract is a living document and

allowances must be made to accommodate unforeseen conditions that may affect the

purchase. The contract will specify who has the authority to make changes, how changes

will be made, and what changes will be unilateral. The contract will specify how disputes will

be resolved if mutual agreement cannot be reached. The contract will specify the

termination process.

Performance risk: Defining acceptance (the right quality). The contract will define the

conditions under which acceptance will occur and what type of inspection will be required.

Price risk: Defining payment terms (the right price). The contract will define how and when

the Contractor will be paid. Based on observation and communication with peers, Davison

and Wright (2004), proposed that each of these six contractual risks is comprised of a set of

contract problems that may occur each time the good or service is procured (Table 2 shows

the types of contract administration problem). Each contract problem that occurs can

threaten the success of the project by impacting any or all of the 5 “R's” in an adverse

manner, such as, delivery of incorrect product, incorrect quantity, an increase in project

costs, a delay in delivery, poor quality or the ultimate unsuccessful result, contract

termination.

TABLE 2 - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION PROBLEM WITH EXAMPLES

Sr No

Contractual Risk and Contractual Problem

Example

1

Proposal risk: Unclear scope of

Work

Ambiguous specifications lead to disputes over required performance, acceptance.

2

Surety and Liability risk: Increased

Cost

Inadequate bonds and insurance to cover vendor failure

3

Schedule risk: Wrong product

Purchase order or contract clearly identifies correct product, but vendor ships incorrect. No

dispute involved

4

Schedule risk: Delay

Purchase order has clearly stated completion date. Completion date delayed (any length of

time) due to agency or vendor (with or without cause).

5

Contractual risk: Change order

Change in the scope of work (additional work, money, time), after contract award. Can be

requested by either party for any reason

6

Contractual risk: Dispute

resolution and personality conflict

Personality conflicts between agency project manager or staff and vendor project manager

or employees. Disagreement between the parties that cannot be easily resolved. May

involve scope of work, materials supplied, payment schedules, or any other aspect of the

contract.

7

Performance risk: Definition of

Acceptance

Completion of project is delayed due to non acceptance of final product. Example:

difference in either party's definition of what was supposed to be

delivered or provided

8

Performance risk: Poor

Performance

Contract clearly states a level of expected performance (this is not in dispute) and quality

problems with vendor's performance of work occur.

9

Performance risk: Sub Contractors

The vendor uses subcontractors not on his payroll to perform any or all of the work. Prior

approval, for use of subcontractors, was received

10

Performance risk: Other sources

There are very few vendors that can perform the work

11

Performance risk: Risk of failure

The project has a high risk of failure. i.e. New technology, new equipment, new vendor,

Project never been done before. Tight timeline or budget

12

Price Risk: Cost

Project has a high cost.

[Source Journal of management research ISSN 1941 -899X 2009 , Vol 1 No 2: E2]

According to Mohamad Ibrahim Mohamad Zulkifli Madon, Rosli Zin, Shaiful Amri Mansuri ,

the constructions contracts express the intent of parties and memorialize their principal risk

allocation decisions (McCallum, 2002). To understand the contract requirements is to

understand the contents of the documents and the spirit of the contractual relationships.

Contracts are formed and signed based on the fair basis where parties agree amicably to

discharge their obligations to satisfy each other needs and requirements. Indeed as

construction are a complex and challenging process, it requires interpretation of

conformance with myriad laws, code and regulations, marshalling of considerable resources

including labor, equipments, materials and good communication and coordination among

multiple parties involved in the project (Dennis, 1982). Many factors are unknown or

unknowable at the start of any project. This detail understanding of the whole requirements

and process of the contract are essential in order to minimize the construction risks that

may lead to unnecessary problems such as disputes, claims, litigation, shoddy works, and

reworks even lost of future business relations. The effects of construction disputes are

detrimental. If disputes are not properly managed, they may cause project delays,

undermine team spirit, increase project costs, and, above all, damage continuing business

relationships. The proper allocation of responsibilities is a crucial factor in determining

whether a particular construction contract should be considered ‘a good' contract. Mc

Callum (2002) characterized a good contract clearly informed such party what it must do

and to what it is entitled. It also informs each party of its right if the other party does not

performed as pronounced. It anticipates the likely problems and resolves them clearly and

in a way strikes the parties as a proper allocation of risks and responsibilities. A good

construction contract of course, includes well drafted drawings and specifications that

inform the contractors what he must do to earn the promise compensation and provide a

method of determining whether the objective has been reached.

According to them factors which improve understanding of contract document are

* Sincerity in contracting

* Drawing must be clear and checked by all parties.

* Clarity in contract document for better understanding toward contract documents.

* Client's requirements must be clearly understood.

* Contract document should be written in simple language.

* Establish good communication relationship.

* Contract document must be precise, objective and practical

* Qualified personnel to prepare the contract document.

* Regulatory requirement to be clearly explained.

* Bill of Quantities to be clearly and objectively detailed.

* Minimize use of complicated legal phrases.

* Provide well trained personnel for every project to interface the contract.

* General condition of the contract to be made familiar

* Construction work specifications to be simple and suit class of contractor.

* Mandatory induction session for a contractor before any contract to be

Essam K Zaneldin suggests claims are becoming a way of life and indeed, an impossible part

of modern contract system. In UAE construction claims normally seen in almost every

construction project, are direct results of the ongoing growth in the construction industry in

the country In general claims are common in construction projects and can happen as a

result of several reasons that can contribute to delaying a project and increasing its cost.

Finishing a project on schedule is a difficult task to accomplish in the uncertain, complex,

multiparty, and dynamic environment of construction projects. To enhance the chances of

success contractor submitting claims most closely follow the steps stipulated in the contract

condition and present sufficient documentation. He carried out the study of types, causes,

frequency of construction claims in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in UAE using a data

from 124 claims for a verity of projects in the two emirates. As per his analysis one of the

problem area is the change type of claims was the most frequent types of claims, Extra work

types of claims are second and contract ambiguity remain ranked third. He also conclude

that change order are the most frequent causes of claims while delay caused by owner

ranked second and planning error ranked at third position.

Dr Ayman H Al Momani carried out a quantitative analysis on construction delay in Jordan.

The objective of study was determining the causes and level of time extension of public

project and to aid construction managers in establishing adequate prior to the contract

award using quantitative data. The key task was to design research so that the information

obtained permits the assessment of their impact. Therefore the best approach to assessing

the potentials is to adopt randomly selected samples. The sampling population was

established by selecting 130 public project constructed in different regions of Jordan during

the period of 1990 - 97. The data was found in the contract files of several state agency.

Data collected were of 5 kinds of public projects Residential houses of public s, office and

administrative buildings, school buildings, medical centers and communication facilities. The

result of this study indicated that the main causes of delay in construction of public projects

were related to Designers, user changes, weather, site condition, late deliveries, economic

conditions, and increase in quantity.

K C Iyer, N.B Chaphalkar, G A Joshi suggest most of the construction projects are executed

through contracts which are generally not easy to comprehend even by professionals.

Advancement in technology and mammoth requirement of infrastructure in developing

countries like India, there has been increase in size and complexities in the nature of

projects. This gives rise to further ambiguities in the prevailing contract forms eventually

making contract forms more complex and difficult and causing adversarial impacts such as

increase in number and frequency of claims and disputes besides time and cost overruns. To

overcome the worsening scenario, they develop a system that can assist the contract

administrators to understand and evaluate worth of their claims prior to taking it to

litigation

Many construction disputes can be avoided by careful planning during contract formation.

The specific terms and concepts below, which are used in contract drafting, are very

important factors for avoiding future problems of claims

(A) Incorporation by reference

(B) Scope of work

(C) Right to stop work

(D) Payment

(E) Exculpatory clauses

(F) Notice

(G) Warranties

(H) Termination for cause and convenience

(I) change orders and changed conditions, and

(J) pay-if-paid and pay-when-paid clauses

Ustinovichius L, Andriuškevichius A, Kutut V, Migilinskas D Barvidas A. analyse construction

contract provided by FIDIC and determine there effectiveness by verbal methods. According

to him contractors of international construction projects are often faced with complicated

situations working in the condition of uncertainty in construction. One of the potential risk

factors is associated with the requirement of contract condition. He used a simple

quantitave method for evaluating the requirements defined in specifications of the contract.

According to them effectiveness of construction contract can be evaluated based on the

following factors

Technical Specification

Cost

Terms of Payment

Schedule

Performance Guaranty

Warranty

Liability

Insurance Cost

Liability Limit

Assaf et al (Assaf SA, Alkhalil M, AL-Hazmi M. 1995) identified the 56 main causes of delay in

Saudi large building construction projects. The scope of their research was limited to large

public building projects in the eastern province of Saudi Arbia. Large building project include

projects that are more than 10,000,000 Saudi riyals (SR) Based on their survey

Based on the contractors surveyed the most important delay factors are

1. Preparation of approval of shop drawings

2. Delay in contractors progress

3. Payment by owner and design changes

From the view of architect and engineer

1. Cash problem during construction

2. The relation ship between subcontractors

3. Slow decision making process by the owner

However, Owner agreed that

1. The Design error

2. Labor shortage

3. Inadequate labor skills

These are the important issues which initiate claim.

Ogunlana and Promkuntong ( OgunlanabS O and Promkuntong K. 1996) conducted study on

construction delay in Thailand this paper repots on a study of construction delay

experienced during the period, especially in 1992 when the boom was diminishing. The

major sources of the delay on high rise building construction project are identified and a

comparison with other studied is made to determine if there are special project

management problem in developing economies. They found that the problem faced by the

construction industry in developing economies like Thailand could be:

Storage and inadequacies in industry/environment infrastructure (mainly supply of

resources)

* Shortage of resources

* Unavailability of subcontractors

· Transportation problems

2. Causes by client

* Financial difficulties of owners

3. Caused by contractors incompetence

* Poor contract management, planning and scheduling deficiencies

* Unreasonable low bidding

* Contractors financial difficulties

They recommended that there should be concerted concerted effort by economy managers

and construction industry associations to provide the necessary infrastructure for efficient

project management.

Dr. Edwin H.W. Chan* and Henry C.H. Suen carried out study on Legal Issues of dispute

management in International construction project contracting. According to them

contracting parties in international project have to develop ways to respond to the various

legal obligations and practice by the international conventions and national authorities and,

at the same time, to avoid and resolve disputes arising from legal issues. In light of this, they

provide a source of reference for contracting parties to identify those legal issues that are

related to dispute management, which includes avoiding and resolving disputes in

international construction. In doing so, they carried out an in-depth literature review of

previous research studies and face-to face interviews with practitioners in the industry.

They made discussion on the significant issues as follows

Harmonization of construction law

Law of dispute management

Interpretation if international construction contract

Disputology in construction industry.

Causes of Disputes

Causes of disputes over delay identified by Assaf et al. includes: shortage of construction

material, changes in types and specifications during construction, slow delivery of material,

damage of material in storage, delay in the special manufacture of the building material,

shortage of labour, labour skills, nationality of labourers, equipment failure, equipment

shortage, unskilled operators, slow delivery of equipment, equipment productivity,

financing by Contractor during construction, delays in Contractor's progress payment by

Owner, cash problems during construction, design changes by Owner or his agent during

construction, design errors made by designers, foundation conditions encountered in the

field, mistake in soil investigation, water table conditions on site, geological problems on

site, obtaining permits from municipality, obtaining permits for labourers, excessive

bureaucracy in project Owner operation, building code used in the design of the project,

preparation and approval of shop drawings, waiting for sample material approval,

preparation of scheduling networks and revisions, lack of training personnel and

management support, lack of database in estimating activity duration and resources,

judgment of experience in estimating time and resources, project delivery systems used, hot

weather effect on construction activities, insufficient available utilities on site, the

relationship between different subcontractor's schedule, the conflict between the

consultant and the Contractor, uncooperative Owners, slowness of the Owner decision

making process, the joint ownership of the project, poor organization, insufficient

communication between Owner and designer at the design phase, unavailability of

professional construction management, inadequate early planning of the project, inspection

and testing procedures used in the projects, errors committed during field, application of

quality control based on foreign specification, controlling subcontractors by general

Contractors in the execution of the works, the unavailability of financial incentives for

Contractor to finish ahead of schedule, negotiations and obtaining of contracts, legal

disputes between various parties, social and cultural factors, accidents during construction .

Through a questionnaire survey conducted on 61 contemporary construction projects in

Hong Kong Kumaraswamy [8] attempts to better understand disputes; he identifies

common root causes, proximate causes and confirms the need of further studies to isolate

the real root causes of avoidable claims and disputes. A list of the root causes and the

proximate causes is shown in 2. (Grace Younis, Geraed Wood, M. Asem Abdul Malak,)

Unfair risk allocations

Unclear risk allocation

Unrealistic time/cost quality targets

Uncontrollable external event

Adverse culture

Unrealistic tendering price

Inappropriate contract price

Lack of competence of of project participant

Lack of professionalism of project participant

Client lack of information

Unrealistic information expectation

Inadequate brief

Poor communication

Personality clashes

Vested interest

Changes by client

Slow client respond

Exaggerated claims

Estimating error

Others e.g. work error

Internal disputes

Inadequate contract administration

Inaccurate design information

Incomplete tender information

Inadequate design document

Inappropriate contractor selection

Inappropriate payment modalities

Inappropriate contract form

( Sources - Minimizing Construction Disputes: The reletationship between risk allocation and

behavioural attitudes by Grace Younis, Geraed Wood, M. Asem Abdul Malak

TABLE 3 - CATEGORIZING CAUSES OF DISPUTES

1

Al Momani

Causes of delay: poor design, change orders, weather, site conditions, late delivery,

economic conditions, and increase in quantity.

2

Alkass et al.

Strikes, rework, poor organization, material shortage, equipment failure, change orders, act

of God.

3

Bristow and Vasilopoulous

Five areas unrealistic expectations: contract documents, communication lack of team spirit

and change.

4

Colin et al.

Six areas: payment, performance, delay, negligence, quality and administration.

5

Diekmann et al.

Three areas: people, process and product.

6

Heath et al.

Seven areas: contract terms, payment, variation, time nomination, re-nomination and

information.

7

Hewit

Six areas: change of scope change conditions, delay, disruption, acceleration and

termination.

8

Kululanga et al.

Four sources of dispute: (1) errors, defects and omissions in the contract documents, (2)

underestimating the real cost of the project in the beginning, (3) changed conditions and (4)

stakeholders involved in the project.

9

Madden

Three categories: legal, technical and quantum.

10

Molenaar et al.

Three categories: people issue, process issue and project issues.

11

Rhys Jones

Ten areas: management, culture, communications, design, economics, tendering pressures,

lay, unrealistic expectations, contracts and workmanship.

12

Semple et al.

Four areas: acceleration, access, weather, and changes

13

Sykes

Two areas: misunderstandings and unpredictability

( Sources - Minimizing Construction Disputes: The reletationship between risk allocation and

behavioural attitudes by Grace Younis, Geraed Wood, M. Asem Abdul Malak)

3.2 As per the literature review the common issues which arises claims are as follows

1) Issues arises normally causes by the client

* Awarding contract to lowest bid

* Suspension of works

* Unrealistic imposed contract duration

* Slow decision making by owners

* Owner interference

* Finance and payment of completed work

2) Issues arises normally by the contractor

* Poor site management and supervision

* Improper planning

* Mistake during construction

* Contractors financial problem

* Bad quality of contractors work

* Subcontractors problem

* Construction method

* Low price of contract due to high competition

3) Issues arises normally by consultant

* Poor contract management

* Delay in the design information and approval of drawing

* Delay in testing and inspecting the product

* Discrepancies in contract document

* Poor management in Quality assurance control

4) Issues arises due to material

* Quality of material

* Shortage of material;

5) Issues due to by Labor & Equipment

* Equipment availability and failure

* Change in material and labor cost

* Labor productivity

6) Issues due to Contractual relationships

* Lack of communication between parties

* Impropriate overall organizational structure linking of all parties to the project

* Major disputes and negotiation

* Third party delay

7) Claims that are normally caused by External factors

* Weather condition

* Regulatory changes and building code

* Problems with neighbors

* Unforeseen ground condition

* Accidents

* Adverse site condition

8) Issues arises are normally by political and social

* Changes in laws and regulations

* Public disorder

* Labour disputes and strikes

9) Issues arises normally by economy

* Inflation

* Availability of labour and equipment

3.3 For the purpose of study and based on the above literature review the issues are

categorized in following manner

SITE ISSUES

Adverse site conditions

Necessary approvals may not be obtained or may be obtained only subject to unanticipated

condition

Archeological and cultural heritage discoveries

No proper access to the site

Project site may be subject to invalidity of approval

Any environmental issue which leads delay and additional cost. E.g. Non stop rain and high

wind speed.

DESIGN CONSTRUCT AND COMMISIONING ISSUES

1. Design of the facility is incapable of delivering the service at anticipated cost

2. Construction events occur during construction which prevent the facility being delivered

on time and on cost

Commissioning tests which are required to be completed for the provision of services to

commence, cannot be successfully completed

Design co-ordination on design and construct basis project.

SPONSOR AND FINANTIAL ISSUES

Interest rate may move adversely and affect the bid price

Failure of sponsor to finance the project because of economic crises

Change in tax policy by government before and after the completion of project

Financial problem arises due to change in ownership

OPERATING ISSUES

Require cost is more than anticipated with an inadequate quality

Design and construction quality is inadequate resulting higher maintenance and

refurbishment cost

Change in output specification outside the agreed range

Subcontractor fails to provide the required service.

POLITICAL AND SOCIETAL

Change in law policy during the course of project

Change in regulations during the course of project

Additional approval require during the course of the project which it outside the contract

Labour dispute and strike

EXCULPATARY CLAUSES ISSUES

No damage of delay

Site inspection before the award of contract

Liquidation Damages

Indemnity Clauses

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