David Chappell BA(Hons Arch), MA(Arch), MA(Law), PhD, RIBA has worked as an architect in the public and private sectors and is currently the Director of David Chappell Consultancy Ltd. He frequently acts as an adjudicator and is author of ten books on construction law for Blackwell Publishing.

'The first [edition] was an instant hit for me and edition four is just as good.' Tony Bingham, Building 'Makes interesting reading of a subject not many of us would expect to enjoy...A useful reference book for any architect, employer or contractor involved in minor or small works and one that is likely to be used time and time again'. The Expert and Dispute Resolver Summer 2007.

• Preface to the Fourth Edition. Chapter 1 The Purpose and Use of MW and MWD .1.1 The background.1.2 The use of MW and MWD.1.3 Arrangement and contents of MW and MWD.1.4 Contractual formalities.1.5 Problems with the contract documents.1.6 Notices, time and the law.Chapter 2 Contract Comparisons .2.1 Introduction.2.2 JCT contracts compared.Chapter 3 Contract Documents and Insurance .3.1 Contract documents.3.1.1 Types and uses.3.1.2 Importance and priority.3.1.3 Custody and copies.3.1.4 Limits to use.3.2 Insurance.3.2.1 Injury to or death of persons.3.2.2 Damage to property.3.2.3 Insurance of the Works against fire etc.3.2.4 A new building where the contractor is.required to insure.3.2.5 Alterations or extensions to existing structures.3.3 Summary.Chapter 4 Architect .4.1 Authority and duties.4.2 Express provisions of the contract.4.3 Architect’s instructions.4.4 Summary.Chapter 5 Contractor .5.1 Contractor’s obligations: express and implied.5.1.1 Legal principles.5.1.2 Execution of the works.5.1.3 Workmanship and materials.5.1.4 Statutory obligations.5.1.5 Contractor’s representative.5.2 Other obligations.5.2.1 Access to the works and premises.5.2.2 Compliance with architect’s instructions.5.2.3 Suspension of obligations.5.2.4 Other rights and obligations.5.3 Summary.Chapter 6 Employer .6.1 Powers and duties: express and implied.6.2 Rights under MW and MWD.6.2.1 General.6.2.2 Damages for non-completion.6.2.3 Other rights.6.3 Duties under MW and MWD.6.3.1 General.6.3.2 Payment.6.3.3 Retention.6.3.4 Other duties.6.4 Summary.Chapter 7 Quantity Surveyor and Clerk of Works .7.1 Quantity surveyor.7.1.1 Appointment.7.1.2 Duties.7.1.3 Responsibilities.7.2 Clerk of works.7.2.1 Appointment.7.2.2 Duties.7.2.3 Responsibilities.7.3 Summary.Chapter 8 Subcontractors and Suppliers .8.1 General.8.2 Subcontractors.8.2.1 Assignment.8.2.2 Subcontracting.8.2.3 Nominated subcontractors.8.3 Statutory authorities.8.4 Works not forming part of the contract.8.5 Summary.Chapter 9 Possession, Completion and Defects Liability .9.1 Possession.9.1.1 Introduction.9.1.2 Date for possession.9.2 Practical completion.9.2.1 Definition.9.2.2 Consequences of practical completion.9.3 Rectification period.9.3.1 Definition.9.3.2 Defects, shrinkages and other faults.9.3.3 Frost.9.3.4 Procedure.9.4 Summary.Chapter 10 Claims .10.1 General.10.2 Extension of time.10.2.1 Legal principles.10.2.2 Liquidated damages.10.2.3 Extending the contract period.10.3 Money claims.10.3.1 General.10.3.2 Types of claims.10.4 Summary.Chapter 11 Payment .11.1 Contract sum.11.2 Payment before practical completion.11.3 Penultimate certificate.11.4 Final certificate.11.5 Effect of certificate.11.6 Interest and withholding payment.11.7 Retention.11.8 Variations.11.9 Order of work.11.10 Provisional sums.11.11 Fluctuations.11.12 Summary.Chapter 12 Termination .12.1 General.12.2 Termination by the employer.12.2.1 Grounds and procedure.12.2.2 Consequences of employer termination.12.3 Termination by the contractor.12.3.1 General.12.3.2 Grounds and procedure.12.3.3 Consequences of contractor termination.12.4 Termination by either employer or contractor.12.5 Summary.Chapter 13 Contractor’s Designed Portion (CDP) .13.1 General.13.2 Documents.13.3 The contractor’s obligations.13.4 Liability.13.5 Integration of the CDP.13.6 Contractor’s information.13.7 Variations.13.8 Other matters.13.9 Summary.Chapter 14 Dispute Resolution Procedures .14.1 General.14.2 Adjudication.14.2.1 The contract provisions.14.2.2 The Scheme: starting the adjudication process.14.2.3 The Scheme: appointment of the adjudicator.14.2.4 The Scheme: the adjudication process.14.2.5 The Scheme: important powers and duties of.the adjudicator.14.2.6 The Scheme: the decision.14.2.7 The Scheme: award of costs.14.3 Arbitration.14.3.1 General.14.3.2 The appointment of an arbitrator.14.3.3 Powers of the arbitrator.14.3.4 CIMAR procedure.14.4 Legal proceedings.14.5 Summary.Table of Cases .Clause Number Index to Text .Subject Index