How to Manage Design Liability and Understand Your Responsibility

Finishes & Interiors Sector logo To help contractors understand their level of responsibility when it comes to design, the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has published a new guidance note, How to Manage Design Liability and Understand Your Responsibility.

Prepared by construction law specialist Anderson Strathern for the FIS and aimed at contractors who may be assuming design, the new guidance note brings clarity to the risks and liabilities associated with their role in the contract.

The new FIS guidance note will help contractors understand the role of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Designer, the terms of a contract, how to protect themselves and the importance of adequate and appropriate insurance to cover risk.



Commenting on the launch of the new guidance, Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of the FIS said: “We are seeing design liabilities pushed through the supply chain more and more with roles and responsibilities increasingly blurred. The new FIS guidance note will help contractors understand their legal responsibilities, particularly when it comes to design issues apparent during construction.”

This brief guidance also provides information on health and safety issues and why it is important to have a net contribution clause and a cap on liability clause within a contract.

FIS members can access a range of services to support them in managing the complexities of contracting and supplying products into the construction market, this includes template contracts, guidance on standard terms, support in dealing with disputes and a raft of best practice advice.

The guidance note is available from the FIS website: https://www.thefis.org/knowledge‑hub/contractual‑and‑legal/