It is trite but true that delays are the bane of construction projects. They are time consuming and thus costly to parties involved in the construction process. Dealing with delay and disruption is a key component of the claims culture that hampers the UK construction industry. This culture persists despite progress in tackling it in recent years, through heightened awareness (by the Latham Report and other initiatives) and new dispute resolution strategies (the emergence of adjudication and the continued use of mediation).
The Society of Construction Law, a body with the aim of promoting the study and understanding of construction law among all those involved in the construction industry, decided to tackle delay. In 2002 it launched the Society of Construction Law Delay and Disruption Protocol to provide what it hopes will prove to be useful guidance for dealing with the subject.
