Construction Claim Strategy

Strategic planning framework for construction claim responses.

Plan your direction, scope, arguments, and disclosure strategy before selecting clauses or drafting correspondence.

Why use this?

• Stop jumping straight to clause selection — plan the strategy first.
• Rank arguments by strength (Textual Interpretation is strongest).
• Control what to disclose precisely, keep general, or defer.
• Choose proven response structures.
• Avoid common mistakes that weaken your position.

Who this is for

• Contract managers
• Claims consultants
• Quantity surveyors
• Commercial managers
• Construction lawyers
• Anyone preparing responses to claims or formal queries under construction contracts

What this skill does

Use this tool to systematically work through 7 key dimensions:

1. Situation Assessment — Understand exactly what you are responding to.
2. Scope Control — Decide what to address and what to avoid volunteering.
3. Direction Decision — Choose primary and fallback arguments, and what to avoid.
4. Argument Strategy — Select the strongest type of argument available.
5. Disclosure Control — Decide what to state precisely, keep general, or defer.
6. Response Architecture — Choose the most effective structure for your reply.
7. Risk Assessment — Identify counter-arguments, weak points, and timing risks.

Supported contract forms

Works with any construction contract form:

• PSSCOC (Construction Works / D&B)
• FIDIC (Red, Yellow, Silver, Emerald)
• NEC (NEC3, NEC4)
• SIA Conditions
• JCT
• Bespoke contract conditions

Start here

Quick Reference (all strategy patterns)

python3 scripts/strategy_advisor.py --reference

Outputs all argument types, disclosure levels, response patterns, scope control rules, and risk checklists in one view.

Interactive Strategy Session (Recommended)

python3 scripts/strategy_advisor.py

The wizard walks you through all 7 dimensions and produces a structured strategy report.

Non-Interactive (from JSON)

python3 scripts/strategy_advisor.py --file strategy_input.json --output strategy_report.md

Save Strategy for Reuse

python3 scripts/strategy_advisor.py --save-strategy my_strategy.json

Key Concepts

Argument Strength Ranking

1. Textual Interpretation (Strongest) — Argue from the actual wording of the relevant clause in the Contract.
2. Factual Distinction (Strong) — Show that the facts fall outside the clause's scope or trigger conditions.
3. Concede-then-Distinguish (Moderate-Strong) — Acknowledge the normal case, then distinguish the current situation.
4. Implied Terms (Weakest) — Use only as a last resort when no express clause wording supports the position.

Disclosure Control Levels

Recommended Response Patterns

• Standard Query Response — acknowledge, pivot, argue, reserve, close
• Risk Allocation Rebuttal — concede ordinary application, distinguish, factual support, legal conclusion, mitigation evidence, close cooperatively
• Chronology-Based Response — state known facts, flag pending items, commit to supplement, reserve
• Cost / Quantum Claim Response — contractual basis, heads of claim, ongoing assessment, commit to detailed breakdown, reserve
• Reservation of Rights Closing — always recommended

Scope Control Rules

1. Limit to letter — respond only to what was asked; do not volunteer unrequested information.
2. Preserve future claims — use "reserves its position" and "without prejudice" language.
3. Keep operational details general — do not name specific zones or quantities prematurely.

Common Anti-Patterns to Avoid

• ❌ Citing the wrong clause (e.g., a clause for other contractors when the Employer caused the issue)
• ❌ Leading with "the clause doesn't apply" — this antagonises the other party
• ❌ Volunteering information about topics not yet raised
• ❌ Naming specific zones/quantities before they are finalised
• ❌ Reaching for implied terms when express clause text supports your case
• ❌ Hedging dates that have formal letter references behind them
• ❌ Quantifying costs before records are complete

How to use

# Show all reference tables
python3 scripts/strategy_advisor.py --reference

# Run interactive wizard
python3 scripts/strategy_advisor.py

# Non-interactive from JSON
python3 scripts/strategy_advisor.py --file input.json --output report.md

# Save strategy for reuse
python3 scripts/strategy_advisor.py --save-strategy strategy.json

Companion skill

For clause analysis, notice calendars, obligations registers, SOP calculator, and claims templates, see the companion skill construction-law on ClawHub.

Security & Safety

• ✅ No network access
• ✅ No external calls
• ✅ No subprocess execution
• ✅ No dynamic code loading
• ✅ Safe for use with confidential project information
• ✅ Safe to install and use 🛡️

Changelog

v1.1.0 (May 2026)

• Fully sanitized — all examples use generic/neutral language
• Improved interactive wizard with examples and input validation
• Better README for public listing
• Added review step before report generation

v1.0.1 (May 2026)

• Removed all project-specific references
• Added disclaimer

v1.0.0 (May 2026)

• Initial release — 7 strategy dimensions
• Interactive wizard mode
• Non-interactive JSON mode
• Reference tables dump
• Strategy save/reload

This is a generic strategic planning tool. It does not constitute legal advice. Users should verify all information independently and seek qualified legal counsel before relying on any analysis for dispute resolution, adjudication, arbitration, or court proceedings.