| CODE | CPM1421 | ||||||
| TITLE | Principles of Contracting | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Construction and Property Management | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The Principles of Contracting study-unit familiarises students with the fundamental legal, management, and financial elements of building contracts. It examines various contract forms, procurement strategies, and the functions of various stakeholders in the contractual process. Students will get a comprehensive grasp of risk allocation, risk apetite, compliance obligations, and dispute resolution frameworks. Students will acquire the abilities to interpret, draft and manage construction contracts successfully via real-world case studies. The unit aims to provide students with the fundamental skills necessary to manage contractual responsibilities and reduce risks within the construction sector. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit seeks to provide students with a thorough comprehension of the concepts and basics of contracting in the construction sector. This unit will address fundamental legal, management, and financial components of construction contracts, providing students with the expertise necessary to manage contractual responsibilities, mitigate risks, and adhere to applicable regulations. Students will establish a robust foundation in contract administration, procurement techniques, and dispute resolution processes via practical case studies and industry-relevant examples. Students will explore topics such as general contracting, design & build contracts, tendering and contract formation, liabilities in contract and tort, suspension and determination of contracts and various modes of dispute resolution. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the fundamental principles of construction contracting, including key legal concepts, contract types, and procurement methods; - Identify the roles and responsibilities of various parties involved in construction contracts, including clients, contractors, subcontractors, and consultants; - Analyse the key components of construction contracts, such as obligations, liabilities, payment terms, and risk allocation; - Evaluate the impact of national and international legislation on construction contracts, including contract formation, execution, and termination; - Describe dispute resolution methods such as mediation, arbitration, and litigation and their application in construction contract disputes. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Interpret and apply contractual clauses in real-world construction scenarios; - Assess and manage contractual risks to protect stakeholders' interests; - Draft and review contractual documents to ensure clarity, enforceability, and compliance; - Analyse procurement strategies and recommend suitable contract types based on project requirements; - Apply best practices in contract administration and dispute resolution within construction projects. Transferable Generic Skills - Critical thinking and problem-solving skills in contractual decision-making; - Effective communication and negotiation skills in contractual and legal discussions; - Analytical skills for reviewing complex contractual documents; - Ethical and professional responsibility in contract management; - Teamwork and leadership in managing contractual relationships within construction projects. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Hughes, W., Champion R., Murdoch J. (2015). Construction Contracts: Law and Management. Routledge. Supplementary Readings - Chappell, D. (2018). Understanding JCT Standard Building Contracts. 10th ed. Routledge. - Eggleston, B. (2008). The NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract: A Commentary. 2nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell. Chappell D., Powell-Smith, V. & Sims, J (2005). Building Contract Claims. 4th ed. Wiley-Blackwell. Online Resources: - International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) www.fidic.org - The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) www.jctltd.co.uk - Society of Construction Law www.scl.org.uk |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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