Extension of Time (EoT) claims in construction cover seeking and resisting extra calendar time for completing a project when delays occur beyond the contract’s original timetable, typically under standard forms such as JCT and NEC. A solicitor in this area drafts and negotiates EoT entitlement, prepares vesting schedules, gathers and organises delay evidence, and negotiates with the other party, the main contract administrator, and potential adjudicators or the courts. They arrange time-related defenses, assess impact on completion, and advise on risk allocation and remedies.
What a solicitor handles in these matters
In practice, a solicitor handles contract interpretation of extensions, relies on programme analysis, disruption, and causation, and navigates timelines for notices, certificates, and final account adjustments. They work with engineers, project managers, and contract administrators to gather delay evidence, prepare the case for adjudication or litigation, and ensure that time extensions align with the contract’s relief mechanisms and the project’s critical path.