Contract Advisory
Contract Advisory
Contract Advisory
Our advice is informed by deep experience in contract administration, claims management, and dispute resolution, combined with a clear understanding of how contracts operate in practice on live projects.
We work with clients to manage contractual risk, clarify entitlements and obligations, and address issues early, before they escalate into formal disputes. Our approach is pragmatic and outcomes-focused, ensuring contractual mechanisms are used effectively and proportionately.
Claim preparation, reviews and rebuttals
We assist clients with the preparation, review, and rebuttal of contractual claims, including variations, extensions of time, and associated cost claims. Our focus is on ensuring claims are well-founded, clearly articulated, and supported by appropriate contractual and factual analysis.
We also review claims received from other parties, identifying areas of exposure, weaknesses, and opportunities for resolution. Where required, we assist in preparing structured rebuttals that are robust, proportionate, and aligned with the contract.
In our experience we have seen claims fail because they are poorly structured, contain too much irrelevant information, do not clearly set out the basis of entitlement, and are often too emotionally charged. Cocoa can structure your claims or rebuttals in a way which avoids these pitfalls and significantly improves your chances of success.
Contract Reviews
Cocoa undertakes detailed reviews of construction contracts to identify key risks, obligations, and commercial exposures. Our reviews focus on the provisions most likely to affect cost, time, and risk allocation, rather than reproducing the contract itself.
We provide clear, practical advice on how contractual provisions operate in practice, enabling clients to understand their position and manage risk proactively throughout the project.
Understanding the practicalities of a contractual provision and being able to articulate why it is or is not acceptable provides a solid grounding from which to enter negotiations to secure a commercially acceptable outcome for our clients.
Contract Advice
We provide ongoing contract advice to support effective contract administration and informed decision-making during project delivery. This includes advice on contractual entitlements, compliance with notice and procedural requirements, and the commercial implications of project events.
Our advice is grounded in both the contract and the realities of construction delivery, ensuring it is practical, timely, and aligned with the client’s broader commercial objectives.
Contract Preparation
We assist with the preparation and development of construction contract documentation, including contract conditions, schedules, and supporting commercial documentation. Our focus is on clarity, risk allocation, and alignment between contract terms, scope, and procurement strategy.
Where required, we work alongside legal advisors to ensure contracts are commercially coherent, fit for purpose, and capable of being administered effectively in practice.