The socl's delay and disruption protocol and the Australian construction industry

Delay and disruption on construction projects leads to the delayed completion of projects, increases in project costs, poor commercial and legal relationships, client dissatisfaction, and damage to the image and reputation of the construction industry. In October 2002, the United Kingdom's (UK's) Society of Construction Law (SOCL) published a delay and disruption protocol (the protocol) aimed at addressing the issues associated with delay and disruption on UK construction projects in the context of the UK's legal system and standard forms of construction contracts. This research examines the suitability for adoption of the SOCL's protocol by the Australian construction industry as a means of minimising the effects of delay and disruption on Australian construction projects. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with representatives of the SOCL involved in the drafting of the protocol, representatives of the Australian legal profession, and representatives of the Australian construction industry were carried out to determine their opinions of the suitability of the Protocol for use by the Australian construction industry. Results indicate an appreciation of the aims of the protocol and an acknowledgement of the benefits of most of its provisions, however uncertainty exists concerning a likely driving force behind the adoption and use of the protocol by the Australian construction industry. Conclusions are, that most, but not all of the provisions of the protocol are suitable for adoption and use by the Australian construction industry.