The Construction Industry Council has asked for feedback on its draft consultants' contract, which was published online today.

The appointment section of the contract, which is aimed at experienced clients and consultants on large construction projects, has already come under fire from some clients who feel it places too much risk on them.

In particular, clients are concerned about an aggregate cap on consultants' liabilities.

Roger Squire, director of projects at Development Securities, said: "Clients appoint consultants all the time without caps, I'm sure they will continue to do so. Without amendments, this form will not be acceptable."

Frances Paterson, liability convenor at the CIC, defended the contract.

"We feel we've reached a balance between consultants and clients and what they can get insurance for. We worked very hard to get this right," she said.

The CIC consultants' contract is published a year after the British Property Federation's consultants' agreement, which some practitioners threatened to boycott because it failed to cap their liabilities.

Paterson would not comment on when the contract would be finalised but it is thought it will be before the end of this year.

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