Browse 8 verified contracts & procurement CPD resources for UK construction professionals — from professional bodies, manufacturers and suppliers. Free and paid options available.
Contracts and procurement CPD covers the legal and commercial frameworks that govern how construction work is procured, contracted and administered. Construction contracts — whether NEC4, JCT, FIDIC or bespoke forms — are the legal foundation of every project. They determine how risk is allocated, how variations are valued, how disputes are resolved and how the commercial relationships between client, contractor and supply chain are managed. The resources in this category cover the main standard forms of contract, procurement strategy, contract administration, payment regulations, dispute resolution and the specialist commercial knowledge needed to manage construction contracts effectively.
Construction disputes cost the UK industry billions of pounds every year — money that is largely wasted on legal fees, management time and damaged relationships rather than creating value. Many disputes arise from poorly understood or poorly administered contracts: unclear scope, inadequate change control, missed notification deadlines and poorly documented instructions. Professionals with strong contract knowledge are better placed to prevent disputes arising, identify and protect their clients' contractual entitlements, and resolve issues before they escalate. RICS recognises contract practice as a core competency for quantity surveyors and project managers. CIOB includes contract management in its competency framework. RIBA Chartered Members who act as contract administrators must maintain current knowledge of the relevant standard forms.
Browse 8 contracts & procurement CPD resources from 5 providers. Showing 8 of 8.
NEC4 (New Engineering Contract) and JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal) are the two main families of standard form construction contract used in the UK. NEC4 is more widely used on infrastructure and public sector projects and is characterised by collaborative, programme-focused administration and early warning mechanisms. JCT is more widely used on private sector building projects and is more traditional in its approach. Both cover a range of contract types for different procurement routes.
The Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (known as the Construction Act) gives construction contractors and subcontractors important rights including the right to interim payments, the right to suspend for non-payment, and the right to refer disputes to adjudication at any time. It was amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 to strengthen payment and adjudication rights.
Adjudication is a rapid dispute resolution process introduced by the Construction Act that allows any party to a construction contract to refer a dispute to an adjudicator at any time. The adjudicator must reach a decision within 28 days (extendable to 42 days with the referring party's consent). The decision is temporarily binding — it must be complied with immediately — but can be revisited later through arbitration or litigation.
CPD providers in this category: Building Magazine (Informa Connect Academy), Chartered Institute of Building, Designing Buildings, Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.