Neutral event
|
Many events on a project can result in delays to the completion date. Events which impact on the completion date but are not the fault of either the contractor or the client are called ‘neutral events’.
Neutral events can include:
- Exceptionally adverse weather.
- Civil commotion or terrorism.
- Statutory undertaker’s work.
- Force majeure (such as a war or an epidemic).
- A specified peril such as flood.
- National strikes.
- Changes in statutory requirements.
- Delays in receiving permissions that the contractor has taken reasonable steps to avoid.
Where the progress of the works is materially affected by a matters for which the client is responsible, the contractor may be entitled to claim direct loss and expense incurred, and/or an extension of time.
Where a delay which impacts on the completion date is caused by the contractor, the contractor may be liable to pay liquidated and ascertained damages (LADs) to the client.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Compensation event.
- Concurrent delay.
- Culpable delay.
- Delays on construction projects.
- Disruption claims in construction.
- Extension of time.
- Force majeure.
- Frustration.
- Henry Boot Construction Ltd v Alstom Combined Cycles.
- Liquidated damages.
- Loss and expense.
- Penalty.
- Prolongation.
- Relevant events v relevant matters.
- Remoteness.
- Variations.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.






















