Investors, be jointly liable!

The Polish government is currently working on amendments to the Civil Code, which are of some importance for the construction industry and include changing the rule concerning investors' and contractors' joint liability towards subcontractors. If this is approved by the Sejm, subcontractors will have the right to demand payment of receivables, (for work entrusted to them by general contractors), from the investor. Many however, think that this amendment will change nothing. All for one and one for all Joint liability obliges investors to pay contractors' liabilities to subcontractors, even if the investor has already paid enough in repayment to the general contractor. In return, the investor has the right to closely control any settlements between the general contractor and subcontractors. Although introducing the rule of joint liability will be welcomed by subcontractors most of all, it will affect all participants in the construction process: from investors to subcon