# If an architect notices a defect but fails to report it, can the contractor be held legally responsible?

**URL:** <https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/t/if-an-architect-notices-a-defect-but-fails-to-report-it-can-the-contractor-be-held-legally-responsible/2271>\
**Category:** JCT Contracts\
**Created:** [5 February 2013 14:38 UTC](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/t/if-an-architect-notices-a-defect-but-fails-to-report-it-can-the-contractor-be-held-legally-responsible/2271 "2013-02-05T14:38:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JCT\_Experts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JCT\_Experts](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/u/JCT_Experts)\
**Post date:** [5 February 2013 14:38 UTC](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/t/if-an-architect-notices-a-defect-but-fails-to-report-it-can-the-contractor-be-held-legally-responsible/2271/1 "2013-02-05T14:38:53Z")

</div>



---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JCT\_Experts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JCT\_Experts](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/u/JCT_Experts)\
**Post date:** [5 February 2013 14:39 UTC](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/t/if-an-architect-notices-a-defect-but-fails-to-report-it-can-the-contractor-be-held-legally-responsible/2271/2 "2013-02-05T14:39:02Z")

</div>

The contractor’s obligation is to construct the building in accordance with the Works. Therefore the contractor is legally obliged to construct the building without defects. The architect has no legal obligation to spot defects for the contractor.