Guide to JCT Design and Build Contract 2016

5 Possession and completion

5.1 The date of possession or commencement and the date for completion of the works are key dates in any building contract, and DB16 requires a ‘Date of Possession’ and a ‘Date for Completion’ to be inserted into the contract particulars. DB16 also offers the facility for the work to be carried out in phases. If phased completion is required, then the work must be split into clearly identified sections, and a separate date of possession and date for completion entered for each section. The contractor is required to take possession on the date of possession and complete by the date for completion, and failure to do so may give rise to a liability for liquidated damages. Provisions exist for deferring the date of possession, ...