The document provides a checklist for legal advisers on construction projects, emphasizing a structured framework (buildtm) to enhance client service and project clarity. It outlines key benefits, objectives, and sample questions across various stages, such as obtaining client briefs, evaluating strategies, and simplifying complex legal processes. The author, Sarah Fox, is an expert who focuses on improving communication in construction law and emphasizes learning from past project experiences.

1. A CHECKLIST FOR LEGAL ADVISERS ON A
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
SARAH FOX
500 Words Ltd

2. Page 2 © 500 Words Ltd, 2014
BUILD™ Framework for Construction Lawyers
BUILD™ is a framework to ensure you act in the best interests of your clients. Using this
structure, you can be confident you understand all relevant information, check any
assumptions you might have made and provide excellent client service. BUILD™ provides
benefits as listed below:
B Begin with the Brief
A successful project requires great foundations
Benefits
 act in best interests
of client
 check consistent
information across
teams
 improve
communication
 clarify client
perspective and
criteria for success
 focus on what’s
critical for your
client
Objectives: question
everything
 To obtain clear &
complete
instructions early
in the process;
 To help your client
clarify all aspects of
the project (and for
you to determine
which are relevant)
 To delve deeper
into specific areas
Sample Questions
How will your client
know the project
has been a success?
Why is your client
doing this project
now?
Who’s helping your
client?
What’s stopping
your client?
Enjoy Resources
CONSTRUCT
checklist for projects
PESTLE analysis
SWOT template
Other Resources
Law Society initial
interview note
SRA 10 Mandatory
Principles
U Unlock the strategy
Creating a framework to build upon
Benefits
 facilitate informed
choices & agreed
procedures
 innovate by
investigating
alternative angles
 eliminate poor
practice
 discard ineffective
options
Objectives: evaluate
options, try
something new
 To identify, explore
& evaluate legal &
commercial
options
 To agree best
strategy to meet
client brief
Sample Questions
What are your
client’s priorities?
Who is driving the
current strategies?
What are the other
options?
Why choose this
option?
Enjoy Resources
GROW template
Sarah’s Guide to
Procurement
Strategy
Sarah’s Guide to
Project Stages
Other Resources
Which Contract?
JCT Guides &
Practice Notes
I Investigate, Interpret and Implement
Using legal expertise and industry knowledge to turn the client brief and
strategy into legal solutions
Benefits
 ensure strategic
advice is based on
sound commercial
and legal principles
 use best practice
Objectives: use best
practice
 To further
investigate legal &
commercial issues
 To verify strategy is
appropriate
 To interpret the
client brief and
agreed strategy
into legal terms
 To implement the
legal terms into
agreements &
documents
Sample Questions
What are the key
legal issues on this
project for your
client?
Which of these
issues are deal-
breakers?
How can these
issues be mitigated,
turned in plain
language and
incorporated into
the documents?
Enjoy Resources
Sarah’s Guide to
BS5394
Other Resources
PLC Construction
Society of
Construction Law
The Construction
Index
BAILII case reports

3. Page 3 © 500 Words Ltd, 2014
L Lighten the Load
Cutting through the complexities with simplicity, clarity and confidence
Benefits
 minimise the risk of
disputes by
providing timely and
pragmatic advice
 be client-friendly
 ensure clients
understand the next
steps
Objectives: making
the complex simple
 To clarify client
understanding
 To simplify the
necessary
processes
 To give client
confidence in next
steps
Sample Questions
What are the next
steps for your
client/ project
team?
How can your
advisers make life
easier?
Enjoy Resources
Sarah’s Tips on Task
Management
Sarah’s Tips on
Teamwork
Sarah’s Guide to
Plain Language
The 500-Word
Contract™
Other Resources
The A to Z Guide to
Legal Phrases
D Deliver and debrief
Learning from ‘what went well’ and ‘even better if’
Benefits
 learn lessons from
and share your
client’s experiences
after delivery of
your services and/or
the project
 celebrate your
successes!
Objectives: share
experiences
 To capture
information to help
future projects
 To avoid repeating
mistakes
 To recognise scope
for improvement
 To adopt better
practices
Sample Questions
Has the project
been a success?
Why?
Were your client’s
needs, wants and
priorities met in the
legal process?
What can your
client/project team
learn for future
projects?
Enjoy Resources
SUCCESS checklist
Other Resources
NBS Construction
Contracts & Law
Survey 2012
RICS Contracts in Use
in 2010 Survey
ONS Construction
Statistics
Adjudication Reports
BS8534
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The Author
Sarah Fox (director of 500 Words Ltd) developed the BUILD™ approach. She is a professional
speaker, innovator and trainer. She helps construction specialists write simpler contracts
and understand complex ones. She is also author of the 500-Word Contract™.
To find out how Sarah can help your lawyers meet their clients’ needs on her mobile: 07767
342747 or by email: sarah@500words.co.uk
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For a more basic introduction to construction projects see Name that Project Quiz.