https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/News and explainers on UK construction law: payment reform, retentions, JCT and NEC updates, building safety, adjudication and mediation, explained.en https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/retention-ban-late-payments-bill/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/retention-ban-late-payments-bill/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe UK government plans to ban cash retentions in construction contracts. What the late payments bill proposes, where it stands and what to do now. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/how-to-write-a-pay-less-notice/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/how-to-write-a-pay-less-notice/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTWhat a valid pay less notice must include, when to serve it, common mistakes that make it invalid, and example wording you can adapt for your contract. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/payment-notice-vs-pay-less-notice/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/payment-notice-vs-pay-less-notice/Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTPayment notices and pay less notices explained side by side: who serves them, deadlines, what they must say and what happens if one is missed under UK law. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/jct-2024-whats-changed/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/jct-2024-whats-changed/Mon, 12 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe main changes in the JCT 2024 Edition explained: Building Safety Act dutyholders, new relevant events, email notices, design liability and what to check. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/smash-and-grab-adjudication/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/smash-and-grab-adjudication/Sun, 11 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTWhat a smash-and-grab adjudication is, why it works when a payer misses its notices, how true value adjudications respond, and how to avoid being caught out. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/extension-of-time-claims/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/extension-of-time-claims/Sat, 10 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTHow to claim an extension of time under JCT and NEC contracts: notices, evidence, programmes, concurrent delay and how EOT protects you from liquidated damages. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/liquidated-damages-explained/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/liquidated-damages-explained/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTHow liquidated damages for delay work in UK construction contracts, when they can be deducted, the penalty rule, caps and what happens after termination. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/court-ordered-mediation/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/court-ordered-mediation/Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTSince October 2024, courts in England and Wales can order parties to engage in ADR such as mediation. What changed after Churchill and what it means. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/what-is-practical-completion/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/what-is-practical-completion/Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTWhat practical completion means in UK construction, what the courts say about defects and snagging, and the consequences for retention, damages and insurance. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/construction-variations/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/construction-variations/Tue, 06 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTHow variations work in UK construction contracts: what counts as a variation, written instructions, valuation rules, disputes over extras and practical tips. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/arbitration-act-2025/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/arbitration-act-2025/Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Arbitration Act 2025 amended the 1996 Act from 1 August 2025. Key changes for construction disputes: governing law, summary disposal, arbitrator duties. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/jct-minor-works-vs-intermediate/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/jct-minor-works-vs-intermediate/Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTJCT Minor Works and Intermediate compared: project size, complexity, design and administration, and when to step up to the Standard Building Contract. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/jct-vs-nec/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/jct-vs-nec/Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTJCT and NEC4 compared: language, project management, risk, payment, change and disputes, with guidance on which suits your UK construction project. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/collateral-warranties-explained/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/collateral-warranties-explained/Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTWhat collateral warranties are, who needs them, step-in rights, third party rights and what Abbey Healthcare v Augusta means for adjudication. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/urs-v-bdw-building-safety/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/urs-v-bdw-building-safety/Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTWhat the Supreme Court decided in URS v BDW [2025] UKSC 21 about developers, the Defective Premises Act and the Building Safety Act’s longer time limits. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/cis-construction-industry-scheme-guide/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/cis-construction-industry-scheme-guide/Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTHow the Construction Industry Scheme works: registration, deduction rates, monthly returns, gross payment status and reverse charge VAT. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/contractor-insolvency/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/contractor-insolvency/Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTWhat happens when a contractor, subcontractor or client becomes insolvent in UK construction: termination, unpaid sums, retention and adjudication. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/builder-liability-for-defects/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/builder-liability-for-defects/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTHow long UK builders and designers stay liable for defects: rectification periods, 6 and 12 year limits, negligence and the Defective Premises Act. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/party-wall-act-guide/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/party-wall-act-guide/Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Party Wall etc. Act 1996 explained: which works need notice, notice periods, the 14-day rule, surveyors and party wall awards for owners and builders. https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/building-regulations-dutyholders/https://buildlaw.shmor.ai/blog/building-regulations-dutyholders/Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Building Regulations dutyholder regime since October 2023: client, principal designer and principal contractor duties, and domestic clients.