In December 2012, the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) published the SIA ARTICLES AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT for MINOR WORKS 2012 (MWC 2012). The MWC 2012 was written to address the unique challenges of smaller projects, often involving lay Employers such as house owners, management corporations, companies carrying out renovations to their own premises, etc., new statutes and the use of electronic communication.
While there are currently no cases involving the MWC 2012, this talk aims to introduce the new features of the MWC 2012 to prepare the dispute resolution fraternity ahead of such cases. This talk will cover:
1. A brief background of the MWC 2012 and SIA Contracts in general
2. The considerations for the updates, including relevant cases at the time
3. Contractual procedures to address common areas of dispute, particularly three significant areas where the MWC
2012 differs from the SIA Building Contract 9th Edition:
- Payment and the SOP Act
- Extension of Time and Liquidated Damages
- Dispute Resolution Mechanisms and Arbitrator's powers