Kejelasan dalam Sebuah Kontrak Konstruksi

Kontrak haruslah dibuat sejelas-jelasnya (crystal clear) meskipun secara umum ketentuan-ketentuan dalam kontrak dapat dibedakan menjadi dua yaitu ketentuan yang tertulis (express terms) dan ketentuan yang tersirat (implied terms). Terdapat 2 (dua) jenis implikasi mengenai ketentuan tersirat ini, yaitu:

1. Beberapa ketentuan akan dianggap sudah tersirat secara hukum (yaitu kewajiban tersirat pemilik proyek dan kontraktor),
2. Ketentuan tersebut sesungguhnya tersirat (ke dalam sebuah kontrak dimana kontrak tersebut tidak akan dapat berfungsi tanpa adanya ketentuan tersebut).

Pembatasan terhadap ketentuan-ketentuan tersirat telah dijelaskan dalam kasus BP Refinery (Westernport) Property Ltd v. Shire of Hastings (1978), yang menyatakan bahwa agar sebuah ketentuan dianggap tersirat maka beberapa kondisi berikut (yang mungkin tumpang tindih) harus terpenuhi:

1. Ketentuan tersebut haruslah masuk akal dan adil (reasonable and equitable);
2. Ketentuan tersebut diperlukan untuk memberikan keberhasilan bisnis ke dalam kontrak. Dengan demikian tidak ada ketentuan tersirat apabila sebuah kontrak sudah efektif tanpa adanya ketentuan tersirat itu;
3. Ketentuan tersebut sudah sangat jelas sehingga “tidak perlu dijelaskan lagi”;
4. Ketentuan tersebut harus dapat memberikan ungkapan sedekat mungkin;
5. Ketentuan tersebut tidak boleh bertentangan dengan ketentuan tertulis apapun di dalam kontrak.

Terlepas dari perbedaan tersebut, kedua jenis istilah ini haruslah jelas dalam pengertiannya. Istilah-istilah dan bahasa yang digunakan dalam kontrak tidak boleh ambigu atau memiliki makna ganda. Apabila bahasa dan istilah dalam kontrak ambigu, maka perlu dilakukan penafsiran kontrak. Hal ini telah diatur dalam Pasal 1342 sampai 1351 KUH Perdata perihal penafsiran persetujuan.

Pasal 1342 berbunyi: “jika kata-kata suatu persetujuan jelas, tidak diperkenankan menyimpang daripadanya dengan jalan penafsiran.”

Pasal 1343 berbunyi: “jika kata-kata suatu persetujuan dapat diberi berbagai penafsiran, maka lebih baik diselidiki maksud kedua belah pihak yang membuat persetujuan itu, daripada dipegang teguh arti kata menurut huruf.”

Pasal 1344 berbunyi: “jika suatu janji dapat diberi dua arti, maka janji itu harus dimengerti menurut arti yang memungkinkan janji itu dilaksanakan, bukan menurut arti yang tidak memungkinkan janji itu dilaksanakan.”

Pasal 1345 berbunyi: “jika perkataan dapat diberi dua arti, maka harus dipilih arti yang paling sesuai dengan sifat persetujuan.”

—— dikutip dari buku MANAJEMEN KONTRAK KONSTRUKSI – Pedoman Praktis dalam Mengelola Proyek Konstruksi oleh Seng Hansen, Gramedia (Mei 2015)

August 25, 2015July 28, 2015 by hansen Categories: contract managementTags: gramedia, Implied Terms, kejelasan kontrak konstruksi, manajemen kontrak konstruksi Leave a comment

Discrepancies & Divergences of Express and Implied Terms

Discrepancies and Divergences

April 20, 2012July 2, 2015 by hansen Categories: contract management, downloadTags: discrepancies, divergences, Express Terms, Implied Terms Leave a comment

Express & Implied Terms: What are They?

In forming a contract, especially in construction contract, not all obligations are expressed since both parties do not take the time and effort to express all of the obligations of both parties. This might raise contractual disputes, mostly involving the scope of each party. Therefore, if both parties do not make an enough consideration in constructing the contract, they may end up in court and long time disputes. Basically, there are 3 (three) types of term in a contract; express terms, implied terms and misleading terms. In this paper, I will focus on the first two types and how to manage any discrepancy or divergence occurs in construction contract.

The express terms can be divided into 3 main categories:

1. Conditions

Conditions are major terms of a contract where the breach of it may lead to the termination of contract by the innocent party. In other words, condition is a fundamental obligation of the contract.

2. Warranties

Warranties are minor terms of a contract where the breach of it does not lead to the termination of contract, but the innocent party is entitled to claim damages. In other works, warranty is a subsidiary obligation which is not so vital.

3. Inominate Terms

Inominate terms are not classified as either conditions or warranties. They can be major or minor terms. In deciding if the innocent party can terminate the contract, the consequences of the breach will need to be considered.

All terms which are stated in contract documents are considered as express terms. For example in PWD, Clause 8a; it is expressed that the Contract Documents are to be taken as mutually explanatory of one another. Furthermore, it is expressed that the Contractor must provide everything necessary for the proper execution of the works whether or not that work is particularly shown or described in the Contract Documents, so long as is reasonably inferred therefrom.

In practice, parties do not express all obligations to be performed under a contract as this would be impracticable. Therefore, in addition to expressly agreed terms, we may find implied terms in a contract. The main principle of this implied term is that it may not contradict an express term, but where the express term is flexible, it may be widened or narrowed by an implied term if necessary. So there is 2 functions of implied terms; first is to give implied rights, duties and obligations of both parties; and second is to give additional explanations of express terms of the contract.

There are 3 ways in which terms can be implied into a contract:

1. By Custom or Usage (also known as common practiced terms)

Refers to commonly used terms in certain type of trading or local contract.

2. By Statute

Refers to terms which implied into all contracts which may relevant to statutes, such as Sale of Goods Act.

3. By Court or Judicial Decisions

Terms implied by court revert to give business efficacy irrespective of the intentions of the parties or the fact of a particular case.

In BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1978) 52 AJLR 20, Lord Simon of Glaisdale had set up some circumstances where the court may imply the missing terms:

1. If it is reasonable and equitable
2. If it is necessary to give business efficacy to the contract
3. If it is obvious
4. If it is capable of clear expression
5. If it is not inconsistent with the express terms of the contract or its general tenor

However, there are some circumstances when terms cannot be implied into a contract:

1. Where one party may have agreed to certain terms, but the other party would not have
2. In rigorous contracts with detailed written terms where any omission would be deemed to be deliberate

Here are some typical implied terms in construction contracts; obey all laws, complete work in a good quality, conform to industry standards, complete work in a reasonable time, pay a reasonable price, freedom from minor defects, expected appearance and finish, fitness for all the purposes, durability, safety, etc. Next question is what should we do if there is a discrepancy in or divergence between terms in contract documents?

December 2, 2011December 2, 2011 by hansen Categories: contract managementTags: construction law, Express Terms, Implied Terms Leave a comment