Episode 88 - RIBA Building Contracts (Part 2)

RIBA Domestic and Concise Building Contracts govern payment, certification, practical completion, insurance, termination, and dispute resolution for architectural projects. Payment structures allow for monthly certification, milestone payments, or single payments upon completion, with the concise contract offering optional advance payments. Practical completion triggers critical contractual milestones, including the commencement of the defects fixing period and the release of partial retention. Insurance responsibilities are explicitly allocated to both clients and contractors, covering existing structures, works, and third-party liabilities. Termination procedures require a two-stage notice process for material breaches or insolvency. Disputes should initially be addressed through informal negotiation, with formal options like mediation, adjudication, arbitration, or litigation available if necessary. A relevant case study highlights that appropriate deductions for non-conforming work are determined by reasonableness in the circumstances rather than strictly by contract rates.