The Perfect Claim
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• This module introduces a case study comprising a residential and commercial project where the Contractor encountered unforeseeable ground conditions. This caused the Contractor to incur standing time. It also caused delay to the groundworks.
• Understand how the Contractor has been affected by this event and the link between cause and effect.
• Learn how to identify the potential claims.
• Investigate the Contract to verify that the Contractor has an entitlement to make a claim.
• Examine the contractual requirements for notices.
• Understand why contracts place such high importance on the submission of notices.
• ASSIGNMENTS: The assignments for this module ask you to examine the second case study, identify the claims, the contractual entitlement and the method of evaluation and to prepare the various notices that should be sent.

• Understand the importance of good records.
• Review the types of records necessary for claims.
• Appreciate how good record management makes claim preparation more efficient.
• Learn how to create a timeline to assist with compiling a claim.
• Understand good practice when preparing a baseline programme.
• Learn the correct principles when preparing delay analyses.
• Examine different types of delay analysis.
• Learn the procedure for a Time Impact delay analysis.
• Learn how to examine the results of the delay analysis.
• Correctly calculate an extension of time.
• Understand how concurrent delay may affect the Contractor’s entitlement.
• ASSIGNMENTS: The assignments include the preparation of a simple time-impact analysis for the second case study using spreadsheets, calculation of the number of days extension of time and calculation of the revised completion date.

• Understand and identify what Costs may be claimed.
• Learn the correct principles of cost recovery.
• Appreciate how to prepare and present the Cost calculations.

ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments for this module include the calculation of the number of days costs that may be claimed and the period on which the costs should be based. You will also be required to prepare cost calculations for: a salaried member of staff; an hourly-paid worker; hired plant; depreciation of plant of equipment; fuel costs and head office overheads and profit. You are asked to present the calculations so that they may be easily audited by the respondent.

• Learn the Four Key Points for an effective claim and how to comply with them.
• Understand how to format and prepare a claim submission to a good professional standard.
• Understand how the “front matter” of the claim helps to bring clarity to a reviewer. Learn how it establishes the background to the matters before the details of the claim are presented.

ASSIGNMENT: The assignment is to prepare the preliminary sections of the claim for the second case study.

• Understand what the object of a claim is.
• Learn and understand the essential elements of a successful claim.
• Appreciate the types of event that provide entitlement to make a claim.
• Understand how to prepare a narrative to clearly explain the cause of the claim.
• Understand the importance of linking cause with effect.
• Examine the possible effects of an event.
• Learn how to correctly summarise a narrative.
• Discover how to identify the information necessary to perform a delay analysis.
• Understand the importance of justifying the delay analysis and explain how it has been performed.

ASSIGNMENT: The assignment is to produce cause and effect narratives to be included in the claim for the second case study, as well as a narrative to justify and explain how the delay analysis has been carried out and what it demonstrates.

• Learn how to explain the principles of cost recovery in a claim narrative.
• Understand how simply presented and well-explained calculations will enhance your claim.
• Ensure ease of understanding in your claims.

ASSIGNMENT: The assignment asks you to compose a narrative to explain the costs that have been claimed and how they have been calculated for the second case study.

• Identify where to find the entitlement to make a claim.
• Appreciate how to clearly demonstrate the contractual entitlement in a claim narrative.
• Learn how to correctly demonstrate that the notice provisions have been complied with.

ASSIGNMENT: The assignment is to produce a narrative for the second case study which adequately demonstrates why the claim is admissible under the contract.

• Understand why the Executive Summary and Statement of Claim are important parts of a claim narrative.
• Learn what should be included in these sections and how to effectively draft them.
• Appreciate the importance of substantiating every statement made, every fact relied on and each calculation included in the claim.
• Understand how to best provide substantiation to assist the reviewer and to ensure that your claim is a stand-alone document.
• Learn how to organise and present exhibits, programmes, calculations and other documents. Ensure anything relied upon in the claim narrative is designed to make the reviewer’s job easy and efficient.
• Appreciate the importance of having a peer review carried out before finalising the claim.

ASSIGNMENT: The final assignment is to put everything you have learned into practice and produce the claim for the second case study.

In addition to the course fee, you’ll need a copy of Construction Claims & Responses: effective writing & presentation, 2nd edition. 

Please visit our Publications page for recommendations of where to purchase this book.