News ACANews AUTUMN 2024
ACA launches updated standard form of appointment agreement ACA SFA24 The ACA is continually striving to support our Members with updated information, guidance and contracts to support excellence in practice and we are therefore delighted to announce the launch of the ACA SFA24 – our updated Standard Form of Agreement for the Appointment of an Architect. This contract is for use with traditional forms of building contracting where the architect can be appointed from precommencement to post completion, closely follows its predecessor SFA/2012, which has served both architects and clients well since its inception as SFA/92. It has been updated to include the Building Safety Act 2022 and is suitable
for the full range of commercial and consumer projects. It includes model letters for each kind of project to assist architects and their clients to come to a fair agreement on contract terms.
"This update of the popular contract between client and architect meets the need for a fair and balanced Standard Form of Agreement which has been updated to comply with current legislation. New for 2024, the agreement is now available in digital format for speed and ease of use. – Patrick Inglis, ACA President. The ACA SFA24 can be purchased individually with a 25% Member discount –
ACA meets HSE page 39
Continues on page 8 >>>
ACA SFA24 Important Facts • Drafted in collaboration with Trowers & Hamlins LLP, Solicitors. • Is now based on the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 numeric Services Workstages; • Clearly defines Normal and Additional Services within each Workstage; • Updated Conditions, including the Architect’s and Client’s Obligations and Authority; • Improves the balance of rights and responsibilities between Architect and Client over previous editions; • Services, Fees and expenses can either refer to the Architect’s Proposal letter or be completed in Sched 2 & 3; • All terms can be fully insured by standard professional indemnity insurance policies;• Up-to-date payment clauses;• Provides for an 8% over base rate charge for unpaid accounts, as set out in legislation (the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest Act) 1998), as in SFA/2012; • Allows an Architect to resign a commission;• Includes no provision for a Client to require the removal of a member of the Architect’s staff (which could include a partner or a director) from a project; • Includes optional forms for Collateral Warranties;• Includes Notes for Use of the ACA SFA with model letters; • Provides for Special terms, and offers the opportunity for attachments to provide for additional documents (e.g.brief, survey, etc) to form part of the contract;• Is not gender specific; • Has been updated to cover the Building Safety Act 2022 where the Architect can act as the Principal Designer.
excellence in practice
Is it time to bring back council housing? page 22
Who is using ACA forms of contract? page 13
www.acarchitects.co.uk