Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

Following on from Colin’s blog about the contractual implications of tightening restrictions on non-essential travel around the world, I thought I’d start a thread for any interesting updates on the impact to us all. (Here is the NEC article I commented about but couldn’t link).

Phase 3 for the most part are able to work from home to a greater or lesser degree but how is it affecting Phase 2? And how much work will there be for design offices, especially the temporary works houses, if on site activity dries up?

My main site in the City has closed today but the project team are still active from home and they haven’t mentioned any intention of slowing down on the planning side so all is still go here. I have heard of one or two smaller projects in our office cancelling design work but as of Monday morning we have a full workload for the whole office – we will see how long that lasts. 

It has been interesting in London to note the political views on construction as ‘key workers’. The PM seems to think construction counts as worthwhile but the Mayor of London not so much. It seems agreed however that national infrastructure projects will be allowed to continue so anyone embedded in Tideway, HS2, Crossrail, Highways England, (Hinkley I imagine?) etc should have a chance to keep some money trickling in.

I was provided the following link to a Coronavirus contract webinar (1 Apr) from Turner & Townsend who are quantity surveyors for one of my work’s projects.

Coronavirus contract webinar

Everything I have seen so far seems to suggest that it is likely companies under JCT will seek a force majeure event, potentially receiving additional time but not money.  Under NEC it looks like clause 19.1 – prevention.  This being an event which stops the completion of works on time, that that could not of been prevented or foreseen.  This would link to a compensation event under clause 60.1(19).

The Built Intelligence website seems to have quite a few other interesting free resources which could help people looking for some CPD.

No longer being on site it is harder to get a handle on how the issue is being dealt with.  It would be good to hear what other people are experiencing.