It's All About The Contract Administrator!

Many JCT standard form building contracts, from the Minor Works Building Contract 2011 to the Standard Building Contract 2011 appoint a Contract Administrator to fulfil a specific role under the building contract. Once you have appointed a Contract Administrator, is it as simple as filling in the blanks in Article 3 and then forgetting about it?

Professionals such as architects, quantity surveyors and project managers are nervous about undertaking this role due to the potential for conflict with their other roles or their relationship with the Employer. Remember, the Contract Administrator is appointed by the Employer. If the Contract Administrator fails in his duties, it is the Employer who would have a claim under their appointment.

The Contract Administrator's powers are governed by the JCT contract

It is axiomatic but the Contract Administrator can only exercise the powers given under the JCT contract conditions. Exceeding these powers would be fertile ground for challenge by the Contractor who could ignore any instruction not authorised by the building contract.

The Contract...