JCT contract disputes for contractors, developers and construction professionals
Dealing with a JCT contract dispute? Get clear advice on payment, delay, defects or termination before taking the next step.
Prefer to speak to us? Call us on +44 (0)20 8087 4177
Know where you stand on your JCT contract dispute
The contract is not clear, payment is being withheld, or the other side is blaming delays, defects or variations.
A JCT contract dispute solicitor in London can help you review the contract, facts and evidence before you decide whether to negotiate, adjudicate, litigate or take another step.
London-based. Supporting suitable construction disputes across the UK. Call +44 (0)20 8087 4177.
Share the issue, contract and key facts so the team can review whether this is something they can help with.
Why choose My Commercial Lawyers for a JCT contract dispute?
A JCT dispute can turn on more than one clause.
The contract may have been amended. Payment notices may be disputed. One side may rely on delay, defects or termination terms that the other side interprets differently.
My Commercial Lawyers focus on construction disputes. The firm provides barrister-led construction dispute support, with litigation conduct where suitable.
Relevant experience includes:
- JCT and FIDIC-aligned construction contracts
- Employer and subcontractor contract disputes
- JCT contract termination for non-payment
- Unpaid fees for architects and construction professionals
The aim is to help you understand where you stand before you spend money on the wrong action.
What kind of JCT contract dispute are you dealing with?
You may already know the problem. What you do not know is what the contract allows you to do next.
My Commercial Lawyers may review suitable disputes involving:
Payment disputes under JCT contracts
You may have completed the work but not been paid.
The dispute may involve a payment application, valuation, deduction, pay less notice, final account or disagreement over what is due.
Before choosing a recovery route, the contract, notices and evidence need to be reviewed.
JCT variation disputes
Changes to the scope of work can lead to disagreements over instruction, valuation and payment.
The dispute may be about whether a change was properly instructed, what it is worth or who should carry the cost.
Delay and extension of time disputes
A project may be late, but the parties may disagree about why.
The dispute could involve extensions of time, responsibility for delay, project records, notices or financial consequences.
Defect disputes
One side may allege that work is defective or does not meet the contract requirements.
The other side may dispute responsibility, the extent of the defect or whether payment can be withheld.
JCT termination disputes
Termination can have serious commercial consequences.
Before taking or responding to a termination step, the contract, notices and circumstances need careful review.
Contractor and subcontractor disputes
The dispute may sit between an employer and main contractor, or between a contractor and subcontractor.
The right next step depends on the agreement between the parties and what has happened on the project.
Do not assume the standard JCT wording tells you where you stand
There is more than one type of JCT contract.
Your position can depend on the contract used, the edition, the completed contract details and any amendments.
You may also need to check:
- Payment terms
- Notices
- Variations
- Extensions of time
- Loss and expense
- Defects
- Suspension
- Termination
- Dispute provisions
A standard JCT form may also have been amended before it was signed.
Those changes can affect risk and responsibility. The starting point should be your actual contract, not a general explanation found online.
How My Commercial Lawyers reviews a JCT contract dispute
The first question is not whether you should start adjudication or go to court.
The first question is where you stand.
1. Clarify the issue
The team reviews the facts, contract and evidence.
This may include the signed JCT contract, amendments, notices, applications, invoices, emails and project records.
2. Review the options
Possible routes may include:
- Negotiation
- A formal response
- Adjudication
- Litigation
- A payment recovery route
- Another step
The right route depends on the dispute, contract, evidence and commercial reason to proceed.
3. Make the next step clear
You need to understand what the dispute involves and what the next step could be.
The aim is to give you clearer direction before you spend money on an action that may not fit your position.
Is adjudication the right next step for your JCT dispute?
It may be.
Adjudication is a common route for construction disputes, but it should not be treated as the answer to every JCT problem.
Before deciding, consider:
- What the dispute is about
- What the contract says
- What notices have been served
- What evidence is available
- The value of the dispute
- What you want to achieve
- Whether there is a clear commercial reason to proceed
The question is not only, “Can we adjudicate?”
You also need to ask whether adjudication is the right next step for this dispute.
A JCT dispute may start with payment and become something wider
“We’ve done the work, but we haven’t been paid.”
That may be how the problem starts.
The other side may then raise alleged delays, defects, variations or failures to follow the contract.
You may suddenly be dealing with several issues at once.
This is where the contract and evidence matter. Sending another chasing email may not answer the wider dispute.
You need to know where you stand.
JCT contract dispute experience
My Commercial Lawyers has relevant construction contract experience, including advising on employer and subcontractor disputes.
The firm has also dealt with JCT contract termination for non-payment and the recovery of unpaid fees for architects and construction professionals.
This experience supports the review of suitable payment, contract and project disputes.
The facts of every matter are different. Previous experience does not guarantee the outcome of another dispute.
Why London businesses may choose My Commercial Lawyers
My Commercial Lawyers is based in London and supports suitable construction disputes for businesses across the UK.
The firm may be suitable for:
- Main contractors
- Subcontractors
- Developers
- Architects
- Consultants
- Construction companies
- Construction professionals
You may be dealing with a London project, a London-based party or a dispute involving teams in different parts of the UK.
The key question is whether the matter is suitable and has a clear commercial reason to proceed.
What happens after you enquire?
You should know what happens before you submit your details.
1. Complete the website form
Share the main issue and key facts.
2. Download Trello and join your matter board
Follow the instructions sent to you.
Your matter board gives you one place to share the relevant facts and documents.
3. Share the issue, contract and key evidence
This may include the signed JCT contract, amendments, notices, payment documents, emails and project records.
4. The team reviews the facts, contract and evidence
The information helps the team understand the dispute and whether it is something they can help with.
5. Suitability is checked
The firm does not take every dispute.
The matter needs to be suitable and have a clear commercial reason to proceed.
6. The next instruction is confirmed
If suitable, the next step, fixed instruction fee, client care letter and invoice are arranged before work begins.
You can find out whether your matter fits before committing to the next step.
How much does a JCT contract dispute solicitor cost?
My Commercial Lawyers works on a fixed instruction fee basis.
The scope and fee for each instruction are confirmed before that instruction begins.
This does not mean the whole dispute has one fixed fee.
The cost of the next instruction depends on what needs to be reviewed or done. You should know the agreed scope and fee before that work begins.
FAQs about JCT contract disputes
Do you have an office in London?
Yes. My Commercial Lawyers is based at 7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR.
The firm supports suitable construction disputes in London and across the UK.
Can you help with a JCT dispute outside London?
Suitable construction disputes may be reviewed from across the UK.
Share the issue, contract and key facts so the team can check whether the matter is something they can help with.
Can you help if the JCT contract has been amended?
Potentially, yes.
The amendments may be important to the dispute. Provide the complete contract and amendment documents so the actual terms can be reviewed.
Can you help with a JCT payment dispute?
Suitable JCT payment disputes may be reviewed.
This may include disputes involving non-payment, payment applications, notices, valuations or deductions.
The right route depends on the contract, facts and evidence.
Do I need adjudication for a JCT contract dispute?
Not necessarily.
Adjudication may be suitable for some construction disputes, but it is not the right route for every matter.
The contract, evidence, value and commercial objective should be considered before choosing the next step.
Can you help with a JCT termination dispute?
Suitable termination disputes may be reviewed.
Termination can involve strict contractual requirements and serious commercial consequences. The relevant terms, notices and circumstances need to be considered.
What should I send with my enquiry?
Start with the issue, contract and key facts.
Useful documents may include:
- The signed JCT contract
- Amendments
- Payment applications
- Invoices
- Payment notices
- Pay less notices
- Variation documents
- Delay notices
- Termination notices
- Relevant emails
- Project records
Share the documents most relevant to the dispute.
Know where you stand before taking the next step
A JCT contract dispute can affect payment, project progress and your commercial position.
Before you send another formal letter, start adjudication, litigate or wait longer, understand what the contract, facts and evidence show.
Share the issue, contract and key facts so the team can review whether this is something they can help with.