Delay & Disruption Protocol

Published by the Society of Construction Law (UK), the Delay and Disruption Protocol provides authoritative guidance on the most common delay and disruption issues arising on construction projects — from extensions of time, concurrent delay, float and acceleration, to disruption analysis and the assessment of prolongation costs.

The Protocol is widely referred to by practitioners, tribunals and experts internationally. It is not a contractual document; rather, it offers a balanced framework of good practice that parties may adopt in their contracts or use as guidance when delay and disruption issues arise.

Core guidance

• Programme and records — the importance of a properly prepared and maintained programme.
• Extensions of time — entitlement, the timing of assessment and prospective versus retrospective analysis.
• Concurrent delay — the treatment of competing causes of delay.
• Float and time contingency — ownership and use of float in the programme.
• Acceleration — instructed and constructive acceleration and their financial consequences.
• Disruption — the assessment of lost productivity and appropriate analytical methods.
• Prolongation costs — the valuation of time-related costs and the relevant period of assessment.

Relevance for Ukraine

As Ukraine’s reconstruction programme brings a significant volume of construction, infrastructure and energy projects — many of them delivered under FIDIC and other international forms of contract — the Protocol offers a common professional reference point for employers, contractors, engineers, consultants and legal advisers dealing with delay and disruption.

SCL Ukraine promotes awareness of the Protocol through its events, publications and professional dialogue. The full text of the Protocol is published by the Society of Construction Law (UK) and is available from the SCL UK website.