ABSTRACT
Practical completion can only be certified by the architect or other contract administrator using their professional judgments. Under JCT building contracts, it does not mean that everything which has to be completed has been completed. It is when completion has occurred for all practical purposes. There should be no serious defects apparent and only minor things left to be done. RIBA building contracts adopt the somewhat different approach and require that nothing must be outstanding. This may cause problems with recovery of liquidated damages. Partial possession can only occur if agreed by the employer and the contractor. It is often confused with sectional completion but partial possession is not pre-arranged in the contract. Where part of the building is taken into possession, practical completion is deemed to have occurred with all the consequences.
