David has spent many years administering a variety of Construction Contracts for Clients, Contractors and Sub-contractors including providing contractual advice, claims and final accounts for contractors on contracts for the Qatar and Dubai Governments, GOIC, QGPC, the Chartered Bank, UN and a number of National and International Client organisations, Contractors, Sub-contractors, Suppliers and Consultants.

Proper administration should enable problems relating to delays and extra costs need not escalate into disputes between the parties involved.

An experienced Contract Administrators’ audit of the progress of all aspects of existing project can provide an early insight into and early identification of potential problems. These problems may include the flow of information between the parties, the decision-making process, sub-contracting and procurement strategy and implementation, access problems, pre-fabrication, shipping and delivery problems, resource levels an productivity both labour and plant, environmental problems, programme compliance, cost, cash flow, valuations, cost/value (budget) reconciliation, QA/QC, contract compliance. Early information can allow some effective intervention to alleviate some of the potential problems and associated cost and time overruns.

Disputes, whether ADR, court or arbitration, are costly and to be avoided if at all possible. Proper administration avoids or minimises the likelihood, size and volume of claims. It also puts one in the best position to prepare or refute claims. In the words of an eminent Construction Lawyer, what is required is ‘records, records and more records’; the SCL Protocol reflects this advice and provides a handy check list.