ABSTRACT
The date on which the contractor may take possession of the site is also the start of the contract period. Therefore, it is a very important date. Sometimes, the employer is unable to give possession on the contract date and the ability to defer possession is useful. Postponement of work is not the same as deferring possession although it is sometimes misguidedly treated as though it was. Whether or not the contractor is entitled to take possession of the whole site or only such part of the site as is necessary at any time is another common cause of dispute. Architects and project managers sometimes believe that they can change the date for possession by means of an instruction to the contractor.
