ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a general summary of the law relating to clients and an equally general guide as to what a client should do if disputes arise on projects. Laws of one sort or another govern all construction projects. Effective clients are obliged to understand that they are subject to statutory laws, the breach of some of which can lead to criminal sanctions. The main changes affecting clients include the replacement of the Construction Design and Management (CDM) coordinator with the role of principal designer, which was a reaction to clients who appointed the CDM coordinator too late for it to have any real effect. Clients choose from many different types of construction contract, depending on the size and complexity of the project, the selected procurement method and the degree of acceptable financial risk. The client’s duties to provide information, allow access to the site and to make payments are usually expressed in the conditions.
