Insights
21 Nov 23
Are the objectives of the Hackitt report being realised?
Chris Doran
RIBA has published their standard form of appointment, but what does that mean for you?
The Royal Institute of British Architects (“RIBA”) have now published their standard form of appointment for consultants to act as principal designers under Building Regulations.
The role of a principal designer has developed significantly since the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 (“BSA”). The principal designer has control and responsibility for the design phase of a project and has a duty to ensure compliance with Building Regulations.
A recent development is that RIBA’s Principal Designer Register is now live which shows architects registered in the UK who meet the certification scheme’s competence requirements.
RIBA have now introduced the new contract for appointment of principal designers.
It is intended to be used in relation to commercial projects of any type or value, including design and build.
The contract has been developed to address changes in Building Regulations, focusing on duties under Part 2A of the Building Regulations 2010 and the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023.
The new contract is not suitable for non-commercial projects involving consumers or for the appointment of a CDM Principal Designer.
For such scenarios, separate contracts are available, as follows:
- the RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contract; and
- the CDM Principal Designer Professional Services Contract.
These two contracts are due to be updated further later this summer.
Chris specialises in all forms of construction and engineering disputes, both international and domestic, and risk management advice, including final account disputes, claims for extensions of time, prolongation and LADs, defective design by both engineers and contractors, defective workmanship and negligent procurement and management of projects.
This article was co-authored by James Garner, solicitor.
