The 12th edition of Keating on Construction Contracts is due to be published on 19th December 2024, and is now available to pre-order. Over 30 members of Keating Chambers have contributed to chapters in this latest edition, which is edited by Sir Vivian Ramsey, Simon Hughes KC and Piers Stansfield KC.
2025 marks the 70th anniversary of this seminal text, first published by Donald Keating in 1955, under the original title of Keating’s “Law and Practice of Building Contracts”. The book was well received and has substantially retained its original format. Donald was solely responsible for the first four editions up to 1978 and handed over the 5th and 6th editions to Anthony May QC, who was subsequently appointed to the High Court and ultimately served as the President of the Queen's Bench Division before retiring. After May’s elevation to the High Court the 7th - 11th editions were undertaken by Stephen Furst QC and Vivian Ramsey QC, the latter also being appointed to the High Court Bench in 2005.
Keating on Construction Contracts is a first port of call for all research on the history and principles governing building contracts, their practical application and their interpretation by the courts. Renowned for its accessible style, and reliable authority the title covers all relevant legislation and case law, EC law, and the FIDIC, NEC3, JCT Forms of Contracts and ICE Conditions of Contract.
The book offers solicitors, barristers and construction professionals detailed and authoritative commentary on all issues relating to construction contracts and presents in-depth practical help in a concise style, discussing legal principles, analysing judicial decisions, interrogating standard forms and interpreting legislation.
The 12th edition includes:
- A new chapter dedicated to building safety and defect legislation, updated to explain the key provisions of the new legislation [including the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/909) and of the Higher-Risk Buildings (Descriptions and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2023] and decisions of the First tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).
- An updated and expanded ADR Chapter to explain the effect of Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil CBC [2023] EWCA Civ 1416 regarding the Court’s power to compel parties to mediate their disputes.
- Chapter 21 on JCT has been updated in respect of the Standard Building Contract 2024.
- Recent TCC, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court decisions including:
- Abbey Healthcare (Mill Hill) Ltd v Augusta 2008 LLP [2024] UKSC 23 and the decision in Parkwood Leisure Ltd v Laing O'Rourke [2013] BLR 589 was overruled.
- Canada Square Operations Ltd v Potter [2023] UKSC 41
- Benyatov v Credit Suisse (Securities) Europe Limited [2023] EWCA Civ 140
- Tata Consultancy Services Ltd v Disclosure and Barring Service [2024] EWHC 1185 (TCC)
- Providence Building Services Ltd v Hexagon Housing Association Ltd [2024] EWCA Civ 962
- URS Corporation Limited v BDW Trading Limited [2023] EWCA Civ 772
Contributors Include: Alexander Nissen KC, Dr Robert Gaitskell KC, Philip Boulding KC, Rosemary Jackson KC, Vincent Moran KC, Lucy Garrett KC, Charles Banner KC, Krista Lee KC, Tom Owen KC, Abdul Jinadu, Gideon Scott Holland, Alexandra Bodnar, Alice Sims, James Thompson, Thomas Lazur, Peter Brogden, Rachael O'Hagan, Paul Bury, David Sheard, Brenna Conroy, Matthew Finn, Charlie Thompson, Jennie Wild, Harry Smith, Tom Coulson, Emma Healiss, James Frampton, Callum Monro Morrison, Thomas Saunders, Elizabeth Donnelly, Wen Jin Teh, Tom Walker, Isobel Kamber, Lars Gladhaug, Mercy Milgo, Adam Walton.