Hey There WhatsApp! The Building Blocks Of A Valid Construction Contract: A Recent Court Ruling

HC Herrington Carmichael More Herrington Carmichael is a full-service law firm offering legal advice to UK and international businesses. We work with corporate entities of all sizes from large PLCs through to start-up businesses. In the recent case of Jaevee Homes Limited (“Jaevee”) v Mr Steve Fincham (t/a Fincham Demolition) (“Fincham”) [2025] EWHC 942 (TCC), the High Court confirmed… United Kingdom Real Estate and Construction To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. In the recent case of Jaevee Homes Limited (“Jaevee”) v Mr Steve Fincham (t/a Fincham Demolition) (“Fincham”) [2025] EWHC 942 (TCC), the High Court confirmed an Adjudicator’s Decision that WhatsApp messages constituted a construction contract, and invoices submitted with reference to them were therefore valid payment notices. Background and analysis The dispute was regarding demolition works at a former Norwich nightclub. Jaevee Homes, a property developer, and Steve Fincham, a contract demolisher, disagreed over unpaid sums. A quotation totalling £248,000 for the demolition works was agreed, with monthly application payment terms of 28 to 30 days following invoice. The Adjudicator’s Decision was in Fincham’s favour, whereby Jaevee was to pay the sum of four unpaid invoices, interest and the Adjudicator’s
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