Legal

JCT updates ‘may catch out the unaware’

With JCT 2016 due to be taken out of print next year, experts are urging users of the suite to understand changes in the 2024 contract.

The subject was discussed at a CIOB Midlands CPD event focused on two key topics shaping the future of construction: JCT 2024 contracts and the Building Safety Act.

A line-up of experts spoke at the event, which was attended by industry professionals from across the Midlands.

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The JCT 2024 contracts were debated in a panel discussion featuring Samuel Townend KC, Sean Smylie of Quantex Consulting, Philip Vickers from Winvic, Geraldine Fleming from Diales and Michael Bennett from TLT LLP.

The updated contracts reflect a stronger emphasis on collaboration and sustainability, better aligning project delivery with net-zero ambitions. Enhancements to dispute resolution frameworks and payment structures also aim to drive efficiency and reduce risk.

Michael Bennett, partner at law firm TLT LLP, advocated getting familiar with the update.

“With the JCT 2016 being taken out of print on 31 March 2026, it is important that users of the JCT suite become familiar with the new 2024 forms,” he said.

“While the updates are not as all-encompassing as in some previous versions, there are a number of issues which may catch out the unaware and all users should know how the suite now deals with the Building Safety Act.”

Embrace the act

Later Nottingham Hub vice-chair Mark Johnston MCIOB, from Cube Construction Consultants, and George Parker MCIOB, from AtkinsRéalis, emphasised the need for the industry to embrace the act.

“The core principles of competence, compliance, change and capability need to be central in our thoughts and reflected in our behaviours,” said Johnston.

“Positive engagement can have a lasting change on our industry, raising standards, expectations and producing buildings that we know are safe for those who occupy them.”

They discussed how, a year into its implementation, the act is reshaping the regulatory environment, with the evolving role of dutyholders, rising competency expectations from the Building Safety Regulator and the importance of proactive compliance.

The talks highlighted that the new JCT introduces clearer risk allocation and payment provisions and that the Building Safety Act underscores the need for defined responsibilities and early-stage planning, with competency now a non-negotiable pillar of project execution.

Winvic Construction, Careys and BSN Group Construction sponsored the event.