The 2011 Edition of the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) standard form suite of contracts was launched at a reception on The Terrace at the House of Commons.
JCT publishes a new revision to its suite of contacts every five or so years, with the current edition being JCT 2005, and the previous one JCT 1998.

Business Minster, Mark Prisk MP, in congratulating JCT on responding so promptly to the changes that the Construction Act bring in, said: 'With any new legislation, it is always a challenge for the industry to accommodate the new requirements. With JCT contracts being used on many building projects, it is commendable that JCT has been able to publish a new revision incorporating the changes quickly and making it easier for the industry to react to the legislation.'

JCT is said to be the first contract body to publish an updated suite of contracts to meet the changes to the Construction Act, which come into force on October 1. As well as reflecting the new payment legislation resulting from the Act coming into force, the JCT 2011 Edition contains the following key changes:

· A revised insolvency definition in the termination section.
· Incorporation of the revised terrorism cover provisions that were included in JCT's December 2009 Update.
· The provision for appointment of the principal contractor under CDM Regulations has been extended to cover that function under the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008.
· Statutory reference to the Bribery Act 2010.
· Entries in respect of professional indemnity insurance relating to asbestos and fungal mould have been removed.
· Revised retention provisions in the sub-contracts.

To help legal professionals in the industry, JCT published a 'tracked-change' set of contracts in May. This was the first time JCT had taken this step, thus allowing parties to future contracts to understand what the changes were going to be, and how they will impact on their projects.

Further information about JCT can be found on the website www.jctltd.co.uk

Meanwhile, a new Public Sector Supplement has been unveiled by the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) at the launch of the 2011 Edition of the JCT standard form suite of contracts.

Claimed to be the first of its kind in the industry, the new supplement is tailored specifically for public sector clients and their contract administrators.

JCT says it has 'pioneered a user-friendly document that can be used in conjunction with JCT contracts in the procurement of public sector projects'.

The new supplement includes key features from the Government's Construction Strategy, including:

· Provisions to ensure alignment with the Government's Fair Payment Guidelines.
· A model clause authorising disclosures by public sector clients in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Government's Transparency Policy.
· Reference to any agreed Building Information Modelling (BIM) protocol.

John Riches, chair of JCT's Payment Review Working Group explained: 'Historically JCT standard forms have been used widely and successfully by public sector clients.

'The new Public Sector Supplement satisfies key elements of the Government's Construction Strategy ensuring that JCT contracts are at the forefront of government needs and JCT contract usage by central and local government clients can now move from strength to strength.'

To receive a free PDF copy of the Public Sector Supplement, e-mail stanform@jctltd.co.uk. Include your name, company name, postal address, telephone number and e-mail address in your request.