Thomas Salter
Thomas Salter focuses on contentious matters and advises on complex construction and engineering disputes throughout the contractual supply chain. Disputes frequently concern extensions of time, variations, non-payment and contract formation. Thomas has extensive experience of all standard forms of contract including JCT, NEC and FIDIC, and is frequently asked to provide contractual and commercial advice to clients during ongoing projects. Thomas is regularly instructed to represent clients in adjudication, litigation (usually in the Technology and Construction Court), arbitration and mediation.
Validity of Invoices and Formal Contracts
Is an invoice containing a list of work completed but without a mathematical breakdown a valid application for payment? This question was addressed in the recent decision of Jaevee Homes...
Clear by Design
Court confirms that express contract terms prevail when interpreting parties’ design responsibilities. Design and build projects proceed on the basis that the contractor bears responsibility for carrying out and completing...
No Second Chance
Court of Appeal upholds contractor’s right to terminate JCT contract for repeated late payment by employer. The Court of Appeal has issued a significant decision regarding the interpretation of clause...
One Decision at a Time, Please!
Court declines to set-off second adjudicator’s award. Frustrated respondents should be aware that a request to set-off a second adjudication decision between the same parties in defence of a...
Collateral Warranty v Construction Contract
U.K. Supreme Court confirms that a collateral warranty is not a construction contract. In Abbey Healthcare (Mill Hill) Ltd. (“Abbey”) v Augusta 2008 LLP (formerly Simply Construct (UK) LLP) (“Simply”)...
Intent on Disaster
The perils of relying on a letter of intent In CLS Civil Engineering Ltd. v WJG Evans and Sons [2024], the court found that in the absence of a formally...
Pay First or Risk Disappointment
Court declines to save “true value” adjudication commenced prematurely. In Henry Construction Projects Ltd. v Alu-Fix (UK) Ltd. [2023], the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) dismissed a contractor’s application for...
Works Despite Quirks
Liability cap upheld by TCC notwithstanding difficult language In Drax Energy Solutions Ltd. v Wipro Ltd. [2023], the Technology & Construction Court (“TCC”) upheld a contractual clause said to impose...
Fractions in a Day
How do the courts interpret a “day” under a construction contract? In Elements (Europe) Ltd v. FK Building Ltd. [2023], the Technology & Construction Court (“TCC”) has provided helpful guidance...
The Risks of Contracting With a Dormant Company
The case presented shows the importance of checking the identity and status of proposed parties when agreeing to a contract. In WRB (NI) Ltd. Henry Construction Projects Ltd. [2023], the...
