RIBA Agreements

The RIBA Agreements 2010 is a versatile suite of contract documents for the appointment of architects and other consultants. It provides a flexible, user friendly system for creating professional services contracts. The documents have been subjected to an extensive 2-year long review process, and are endorsed by the Association of Consultant Architects (ACA), the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW), the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) and the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

The RIBA Agreements 2010 replace the RIBA Agreements 2007, and are recognised as industry-standard contract documents for professional services that are fair and balanced for both the architect or consultant, and the client. The agreements have been shortened, simplified and reorganised to make them easier to use.

What's new?

• The RIBA Agreements are now more user-friendly with a new simplified design and reduced amount of paper components
• There are now 5 RIBA Agreement packs, reduced from the previous edition's 9. The Standard Agreement is the only agreement in the suite which has a separate consultant version.
• Recent legislative changes have been taken into account including The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work Regulations 2008 and the Provision of Services Regulations 2009
• Revisions have been made to the provisions for termination, which give rights to the architect equal to those offered to the client
• The option of an aggregate cap on liability has been introduced
• The establishment of the right for the architect to have reasonable access to photograph a project, and to publish images
• Increased interest charges on the late payment of fees
• Better clarification in relation to the architect's right to suspend the copyright licence in the event of non-payment of any amounts properly due.

Electronic versions

The whole suite of documents is available electronically, including much that is not available in print. The electronic versions have been updated and rigorously checked for legal accuracy and are cost effective and convenient to use. They are available from www.ribabookshops.com/agreements.

Benefits of using the electronic versions:

• User friendly
• Cost effective - significantly cheaper than printed versions
• Easily amended – you can edit or customise them to fit your house style (applies to all components other than Conditions)
• Completed electronically – no need to fill them in by hand
• Convenient – you can share them with clients and others by email
• Re-usable - you don't have to keep buying copies for every new appointment (applies to all components other than Conditions).

Printed versions

The RIBA Agreements 2010 have been published in 5 print packs with corresponding bundles of core components. They are designed to be completed and amended by hand and a new pack must be bought for each new appointment. The 5 printed agreements are:

• RIBA Standard Agreement 2010 – Architect
• RIIBA Standard Agreement 2010 – Consultant
• RIBA Concise Agreement 2010 – Architect
• RIBA Domestic Project Agreement 2010 – Architect
• RIBA Sub-consultant Agreement 2010. 

The printed agreements are also available in packs of 10.

Guide to RIBA Agreements 2010

This guide explains how to use the brand new and comprehensively reviewed suite of contracts for professional services. With worked examples and guidance about matters affecting professional contracts, it is designed to be read in conjunction with the Notes and Model Letters accompanying each of the contracts in the suite. Clients will also find that it helps them understand the professionals' role and the responsibilities of each party to the Agreement.

RIBA Agreements 2010: Reference Set

The Complete Reference Set contains all of the packs in the RIBA Agreements 2010, together with a copy of all of the Electronic-Only Components, and a copy of the Guide to RIBA Agreements 2010.

SFA '99 (and related documents) and RIBA Agreements 2007 will be discontinued on 1 December 2010.

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