| Building Contract Dictionary - 3rd Edition |
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| Building Contract Dictionary provides a succinct but authoritative reference to words, phrases and terms encountered in, and in connection with, building contracts. For the new edition, all entries have been reconsidered and updated in the light of case law and legislation and the book has been substantially enlarged since the last edition. There are now over 800 separate entries. A wide range of contracts has been referenced, including JCT 98, IFC 98, MW 98, WCD 98, PCC 98, MC 98, ACA 3, GC/Works/1 (1998), NEC, NSC/C, DOM/1 and DOM/2, as well as topics such as adjudication, arbitration and the Civil Procedure Rules. It will provide an invaluable reference for architects, quantity surveyors, project managers and contractors. |
| | Review of this title : | First appearing in 1985, the third edition of this definitive work now includes details of, and references to, some dozen up-to-date forms of building contract in common use including JCT98, IFC98, MW98, WCD98, PCC98, MB98, ACA 3, GC/Works/1 (1998), NEC, NSC/C, DOM/1 and DOM/2. The authors have endeavoured to take account of all changes and new material together with recent case law and legislation affecting the industry up to the end of December 2000. Particular Acts referred to are the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994, the Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998 and the Civil Procedure Rules. Although mentioned in the preface, there appears to be no direct reference to the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
Since the second edition appeared about ten years ago, there have been many changes in legislation and forms of contract and the number and complexity of entries has therefore increased. Over 800 entries are discussed within the 432 pages of the volume. It is obvious that all the intricacies of a contract form cannot be considered within a relatively short paragraph and the authors insist that it is a dictionary or handbook and not a legal textbook. Nevertheless, the main issues of each contract are discussed and the legal effect of the terminology is explained. A large number of contract terms and others in regular usage in the industry are defined and cross-referenced. Footnotes are used to refer to a useful Table of Cases which is appended together with a Bibliography enabling further research.
Not all of the differences between English and Scottish law are addressed, but for the most part these discrepancies are of minor importance and those who practice in Scotland will be aware of them.
Presented in a non-legal and highly-readable style, this book is a desirable addition to the specialist library and the professional office and as a useful reference book is directed at architects, surveyors and construction professionals in general together with contractors and their staff. However, with a price tag of £62.50 it is unlikely to appeal to the impecunious student.
| | Reviewed By : Roy Whitehead FCIOB |
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