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ARTICLE · 15 DECEMBER 2008

Construction Bill Gets Go Ahead In Queen´s Speech

MacRoberts
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The Draft Construction Contracts Bill, published by the DBERR (Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) earlier this year, has been confirmed as part of the Government's legislative programme for the current parliamentary session.

United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Neil Kelly
Neil Kelly
Jennifer McKay
Jennifer McKay
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The Draft Construction Contracts Bill, published by the DBERR (Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) earlier this year, has been confirmed as part of the Government's legislative programme for the current parliamentary session.

The new legislation will apply to Scotland, England and Wales.  It will make some fundamental changes to the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, with the stated aim of improving the operation of construction contracts and encouraging parties to resolve disputes by adjudication.

The most significant change is the abolition of the requirement for contracts to be in writing in order for the 1996 Act to apply.  Oral contracts or oral / partly written contracts will now come within the scope of the 1996 Act provided the adjudication provisions are "evidenced in writing."

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