Thoughts on construction law from Christopher G. Hill, Virginia construction lawyer, LEED AP, mediator, and member of the Virginia Legal Elite in Construction Law

Category Archives: Contracts

Even Fraud in the Inducement is Tough in Construction

Originally posted 2014-06-10 15:38:08. I have discussed how hard it is in the Commonwealth of Virginia to make out a claim for fraud when a construction contract is involved.  On limited exception is where a claim for “fraud in the inducement” is involved.  Essentially, such a claim states that one party was hoodwinked into entering

Construction Contract Basics: Indemnity

I’m back after a welcome change of offices from a Regus location to a separate and more customer-friendly local shared office space location.  I thought I’d jump back into posting with a series of construction contract-related posts, the first of which relates to indemnification clauses. An indemnification clause in a contract obligates one party (the

E-Mail Can Waive Arbitration (sometimes)- A Cautionary Tale

Originally posted 2010-12-11 10:00:10. We have discussed arbitration clauses at length here at Musings.  From the judicious use of these clauses to help resolve disputes to waiver of rights under these clauses through inaction, arbitration clauses permeate the construction landscape.  A recent case out of the Western District of Virginia Federal Court adds a new

Is Arbitration Okay Under the Miller Act? It Is if You Don’t Object

Originally posted 2014-10-13 09:15:01. I have discussed both payment bond claims under the Miller Act and alternate dispute resolution (ADR) here at Construction Law Musings on many an occasion.  A question that is sometimes open is what to do when there is contractually mandated arbitration for claims “relating to the contract or the work.” While