Books about construction contracts tend to be dense and wordy, but what most architects, quantity surveyors, project managers, builders and employers are looking for is an easily navigable, simple guide to using a contract, written in plain language.

The JCT Standard Building Contract 2011 is an uncomplicated book about a complex and commonly used contract. It straightforwardly and concisely sets out exactly what the contract requires in various circumstances, as far as possible without legal jargon and without assuming any particular legal or contractual expertise from the reader. It explains, often from first principles, exactly what is meant by a contract and why certain clauses, such as extension of time clauses or liquidated damages clauses are present and more importantly, what they mean. The book is divided into many chapters, each with many sub-headings, to make it easy to read and to help readers to find relevant explanations quickly. Tables and flowcharts are used to ensure clarity and most chapters include a section dealing with common problems.

• Covers the recently issued JCT Standard Building Contract 2011
• Straightforward, concise, and as far as possible free of legal jargon
• Sets out exactly what the contract requires in various circumstances
• Includes many tables and flowcharts to ensure clarity

David Chappell BA(Hons Arch), MA(Arch), MA(Law), PhD, RIBA has 50 years of experience in the construction industry. David has worked as an architect in the public and private sectors, as a contracts administrator, as a lecturer in construction law and contracts procedure and as a construction contracts consultant. He was Professor of Architectural Practice and Management Research at The Queen’s University of Belfast and Visiting Professor of Practice Management and Law at the University of Central England in Birmingham. The
author of many books for the construction industry, he is Director of David Chappell Consultancy Limited, is a specialist advisor to the RIBA and RSUA and regularly acts as an adjudicator.