Contractor delay
Contractor delay (sometimes referred to as culpable delay) is an expression commonly used to describe any delay caused by a Contractor Risk Event (an event or cause of delay or disruption which under the contract is at the risk and responsibility of the Contractor).
The Society of Construction Law Delay and Disruption Protocol distinguishes between:
- Contractor Delay to Progress, which is a delay which will merely cause delay to the Contractor’s progress without causing a contract completion date not to be met.
- Contractor Delay to Completion, which is a delay which will cause a contract completion date not to be met.
It is sometimes referred to as non-excusable delay.
Ref Society of Construction Law Delay and Disruption Protocol, 2nd edition, February 2017, published by the Society of Construction Law (UK). https://www.scl.org.uk/resources/delay-disruption-protocol
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