T017 Termination & remedies for
breaches outside the Contract
GENERAL
buiding contract have previsions for breaches e.g. failure 2
give possession = deferment clause or EOT = variations
serious breaches - JCT contract contains provisions
allowing termination of the employment of MC
JCT section 8
To say that the contract is 'terminated' is not strictly correct because
while the parties are discharged from any further obligations, they
remain bound by those obligations that accrued before the breach
TERMINATION DEFINITION
where the contract works are lawfully stopped under the contract
JCT TYPES OF TERMINATION
TERMINATION BY EMPLOYER
GROUNDS
Wholly/substantially suspends works without reasonable cause
fails to proceed diligently and reguarly
TheMC should plan the works/lead & manage
w.force/provide sufficient and proper material & labour
resources, employ competent tradesmen so that the works
and obligations are carried out to an acceptable standard
Fails to comply with written instructions for the removal of work/goods/materials not in accordance
Unauthorised assignment/ contracting
Failure to comply with CDM regulations
Guilty of corrupt practices relating to contracts
Insolvency
PROCEDURE
For items 1 to 5 a WRITTEN NOTICE must be given 2 the MC specifying default
the MC has 14 days to stop the default
if they dont the emp has a further 10 days to issue a 2nd notice terminating their employment
notices must be hand delivered
if the contract is not terminated but the MC repeats the default there is no need to give a warning just the 2nd notice
CONSEQUENCES
all contractural provisions 4 further payment to MC (inc retention) ends
emp can employ others 2 complete the wrks and make use of MC temp bdg/plant /material
OR CA instruct MC to remove all equipment
MC gives employer copies of any CDP docs
if requested, the MC has to assign the benefit of any sub-contracts/supply contracts 2 emp free of charge within 14 days of termination
statement of account issued - given in a reasonable time from the completion of the works to the completion fo MG
the account sets out
Expenses incurred by emp in completing
wrks, inc direct loss/damage
the total MC would have earned had they
completed the wrks
total of any previous payment 2 the MC in interim certs
The difference is a debt payable
TERMINATION BY CONTRACTOR
Clauses 8.8 - 8.10
GROUNDS
Failure of emp 2 fully pay properly within the time periods
Interference by emp in the issue of any certificate
Suspension of wks for a continuous period due 2 prevention/ default by the emp
Default period is 2 mths
Unauthorised assignment by emp
Failure of the emp to comply with CDM regs
Insolvency of emp
PROCEDURE
MC must issue written notice 2 emp stating default (exp insolvency)
The emp has 14 days to remedy them
if they dont - MC has further 10 days to issue another written notice to terminate
For insolvency - termination can occur with the issue of just 1 written notice
if termination doesn't occur this time, any repetition of the default enables the
MC 2 terminate immediately with the issue of a written notice
CONSEQUENCES
removal all equipment from site
give emp 2 copies of any CDP elements
prepare statement of account
Prepared as soon as practicably possible
INCLUDES
Value of works properly executed at
the time of termination
L&E due 2 MC under the contract
The cost of removal from site
the cost for any materials already ordered
that the MC is obliged 2 pay
loss/damage suffered by MC due 2 termination
amount of previous payments paid under
interim certificates
difference is DEBT
PAYABLE
PAID WITH 28 DAYS
TERMINATION BY EITHER PARTY
Clauses 8.11
GROUNDS
force majure
civil commotion/ terrorism
Loss/damage caused by specified perils (fire/floods etc)
exercise of stat power by UK Gov directly affecting the wrks
B4 MUTUAL TERMINATION = When whole/substantial part of the wrks is
suspended for the continuous period sated in the
contract particulars
PROCEDURE
At the expiry of the stated continuous period, either
party may issue a written notice to the other party
stating that they intend to terminate in 7 days
if suspension is still occurring after the 7 days they should
issue a further notice to terminate
CONSEQUENCES
The MC has 2 remove all materials and
equipment from site & give emp 2 copies of CDP
docs
OR... emp can require the MC 2 provide all the necessary info 2 enable
them 2 prepare the account within 2 months of the end of termination
FINAL ACCOUNT
prepare in a reasonable dispatch and within 3mths from the date
that the MC provided info i.e. prepared within 5mths from
termination
value of wks properly executed at the pt of termination
L&E due 2 MC under contract
cost 4 removal from site
cost for any materials already ordered that the MC is oblidged 2 pay 4
loss/damage suffered by MC due to termination ONLY IF TERMINATION
WAS DUE TO SPECIFIED PERIL caused by negligence/act of emp
amount of previous interim certs
difference is debt payable
pay in 28DAYS
JCT TERMINATION P
HGCRA 1996
enables MC to suspend performance of their contractual obligations if
they have not received full payments of amount dues by the final date
without withhold notice.
DETERMINATION VS TERMINATION
determination means quality that makes u continue trying to do
something even when this is difficult or the process of deciding
something officially.
termination is the act of ending something
FRUSTRATION
a situation may arise in which it is not possible for the contract 2 b completed without the
default of any party e.g;. new legislation may have bee passed during the contract which could
make further activity illegal
its a legal doctrine which may bring
about termination of a contract when
external events make the contract
either:-
illegal
impossible 2 perform
radically different from orig bargain
REMEDIES FOR BREACHES OUTSIDE THE CONTRACT
3 TYPES
Damages
any breach of contract either serious or minor
ASSESSMENT
to put the innocent party back into the position they would have been in had the breach not happened
compensatory not PUNITIVE (intended 2 inflict punishment)
CONDITIONS
Actual loss has to be suffered
this might stem from the breach
mitigating measures should have been taken by the innocent party
Set off abatement
SET OFF
Where the emp refuses to meet a MC claim 4 payment because they
have a cross-claim that would reduce or cancel out the payment
EQUITABLE SET-OFF
Where the claim & counter claim are closely linked e.g. under the same contract
ABATEMENT
Where the emp asserts that the MC claim is not worth the value they
are claiming i.e. due to physical defects 2 the works
REPUDIATION
REPUDIATION
termination 4 breach is where one party behaves so badly that the law give the other party the option of ending the contract
common law right to terminate or 'repudiate'
a contract can arise in 2 ways
either party make it clear they have no
intention of performing their side of the
bargain
DETERMINATION
e.g. suspension by emp for no reason/
failure to complete works regularly and
diligently
either party may may commit serious breach which
is treated as having no intention of carrying out their
obligations
REPUDIATORY BREACH
Employer breaches that constitute a breach
refusal of posession
continued refusal 2 pay for sums due
withholding certificates
hindrance 2 contractor
MC actions constitute a serious breach
Abandonment/ unjustified suspension of the works
very serious defects
Extreme delay where time is of the essesne
general rule is that time
is not of the essence
unless the contract
expressly so provides
INNOCENT PARTY HAS 2 DECIDE
AFIRM
Force contract obligations
REPUDIATE THE CONTRACT
terminate
CONSEQUENCES
Both parties r released from their obligations under the contract BUT the contract regarding
LIABILITY/ACCESS DAMAGES & DISPUTE RESOLUTION ARE STILL VALID
WHAT?
Termination of a contract at common law
for serious breaches
TERMINATION VS. REPUDIATION
TERMINATION under contract only terminates obligations 2 carry out wrks
but NOT release parties from any further obligations
REPUDIATION is breach but it doesn't necessary mean that the contract
must be terminated as the innocent party gets to decide to affirm or repudiate