CEM206: Construction Contract Law

Module code: CEM206

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 10

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Ronan Champion , email: r.champion@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): This module is only available to flexible modular students who enrolled before January 2023. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 16 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The procurement of construction work takes place within specific legislative frameworks. Contracts result from agreements between businesses for all forms of consultancy and construction work, whether they are formally written or not. New developments in statutes, court cases and standard form contracting have a significant impact on the kinds of deals that take place in the construction industry. Also, new business processes promote new ways of working and collaborative business arrangements that require a deeper understanding of the way that business participants interact in the construction process. The construction industry is characterised by the way that each participant typically works for a different practice or firm, and they are all expected to work together, usually under the terms of business contracts (formal or informal) within the statutory framework that prevails. This module seeks to explain the statutory and contractual context of contracts in construction, in order that the students will be able to recognise and confront the kinds of problem that can get in the way of successful contract management. 

To understand and interpret contractual relationships in construction projects. Lessons from research and practice are used side-by-side with the teaching to provide robust explanations and help to develop a deep understanding of the consequences of how construction contracts are drafted, chosen and managed. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Make informed decisions about risk apportionment, procurement methods, contract strategies and dispute resolution strategy
2. Explain the legislative context of contracts, and the impact that innovations and current policy development are having on construction procurement policy
3. Familiarise themselves with legal approaches to construction contracting, and will understand the diverse influences on contract policy and procurement

Module content

1. Principles of the law of contract and recent developments 
2. Relationship between procurement practice and contract law 
3. Developments in procurement policy 
4. Contract choice and procurement strategy 
5. Claims management 
6. Tort law in the construction context 
7. Civil liability for building defects 
8. Remedies for breach of contract 
9. Project security: Insurance 
10. Bonds and guarantees 
11. Arbitration and litigation 
12. Alternative dispute resolution 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

A variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures, seminars, case studies and interactive in-class discussions will be used.  

Study hours

At least 24 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.