The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has announced that the next updated edition of its suite of contracts for the construction sector will be the JCT 2024 Edition. The current edition of JCT contracts, JCT 2016, is believed to be the most widely used standard form contract suite in the UK construction sector.
In announcing JCT 2024 at its annual Construction Industry Parliamentary Reception earlier this month, JCT gave an early insight into the core themes and main changes that will feature in JCT 2024.
The press release from JCT indicates that the main features of JCT 2024 will include the following:
- Modernising and streamlining of content – adoption of gender-neutral language, and increased flexibility concerning the use of electronic notices.
- A new contract family – the introduction of a new family of contracts, JCT Target Cost Contract (TCC) comprising main contract, sub-contract, and guide.
- Reflecting legislative changes – major updates in relation to the Building Safety Act, Termination accounting and payment provisions ‘reflecting the Construction Act’ and new insolvency grounds reflecting the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020
- Future Proofing - including changes to reflect the objectives of the Construction Playbook, the incorporation of previously optional supplemental provisions relating to Collaborative Working, and Sustainable Development and Environmental Considerations, into the main document.
It will be interesting to see the approach JCT has adopted in relation to the wide-ranging matters referred to above.
The Scottish Building Contract Committee (SBCC) has confirmed that, in accordance with normal practice, it plans to ‘kilt’ the JCT 2024 suite to produce contracts compliant with Scottish law and practice.
