Covenant against contingent liabilities
A covenant against contingent liabilities is a contractual promise or clause included in a construction contract to protect one party from potential future liabilities that may arise due to certain events or conditions, which are not currently actualised but could occur in the future. Contingent liabilities are potential obligations that may arise depending on the outcome of a future event. In the construction industry, these could include legal claims, fines, damages, or additional costs that might be incurred under certain conditions.
The primary purpose of such a covenant is to mitigate the risk for one party (typically the party including the covenant in the contract) from unforeseen financial obligations that could arise during or after the construction project. This might include, for example:
- Defects that are not immediately apparent but may surface after the project is completed.
- Claims made by third parties for damages or injuries that occur due to the construction project.
- Potential liabilities arising from environmental damage or non-compliance with environmental regulations.
- Additional costs or penalties due to breach of contract terms by subcontractors or other parties involved in the project.
The covenant places an obligation on the contractor to indemnify the other party (e.g., the client or project owner) for any contingent liabilities that may arise, thereby shifting the risk onto the contractor.
The terms of the covenant, including the scope of contingent liabilities covered and any limitations or exceptions, are typically negotiated and clearly outlined in the contract. It is crucial for both parties to understand the implications and ensure that the terms are fair and reasonable and it is advisable for parties to seek legal counsel when drafting and agreeing to these clauses.
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