ACASFA 2012
ACA Standard Form of Agreement for the Appointment of an Architect. ACA SFA 2012
“This update of the popular contract between client and architect meets the need for a fair and balanced Standard Form of Agreement following the demise of SFA/99″ Brian Waters – ACA Immediate Past President
This contract closely follows it’s predecessor SFA/99, which has served both architects and clients well since its inception as SFA/92. It has been updated to include the HGCRA and Bribery Act amendments and is suitable for the full range of comercial and consumer projects and includes model letters for each kind of project to assist architects and their clients to come to a fair agreement on contract terms.
ACA SFA/2012:
- maintains the same balance of rights and responsibilities between architect and client as the previous editions, SFA/99 and ID/05.
- all terms are fully insured by standard professional indemnity insurance policies.
- contains a ‘no set-off’ clause as in SFA/92, SFA/99 and ID/05. (This term is vital for enforcing payment against unreasonable clients.)
- provides for an 8% over base rate charge for unpaid accounts, as set out in legislation (the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Order 2002), just as in SFA/99.
- allows an architect to resign a commission. (This has always been a valuable clause for architects, particularly when an awkward client may make it impractical for the architect to continue, possibly because of a moral issue when it may not be easy to identify a specific breach of contract.)
- includes no provision for a client to require the removal of a member of the architect’s staff (which could include a partner or a director) from a project.
- includes an optional, tear-out form of Collateral Warranty and removeable notes with model letters
- special terms are provided for, as is the opportunity for attachments to provide for additional documents (e.g.brief, survey, etc) to form part of the contract.
- incorporates the RIBA Plan of Work 2007.
- is not gender specific.
- the ACA Form has been amended to cover the new Construction Act and Bribery Act requirements.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Wellbeing in Buildings TG 10/2025
BSRIA topic guide updates.
With brief background and WELL v2™.
From studies, to books to a new project, with founder Emma Walshaw.
Types of drawings for building design
Still one of the most popular articles the A-Z of drawings.
Who, or What Does the Building Safety Act Apply To?
From compliance to competence in brief.
The remarkable story of a Highland architect.
Commissioning Responsibilities Framework BG 88/2025
BSRIA guidance on establishing clear roles and responsibilities for commissioning tasks.
An architectural movement to love or hate.
Don’t take British stone for granted
It won’t survive on supplying the heritage sector alone.
The Constructing Excellence Value Toolkit
Driving value-based decision making in construction.
Meet CIOB event in Northern Ireland
Inspiring the next generation of construction talent.
Reasons for using MVHR systems
6 reasons for a whole-house approach to ventilation.
Supplementary Planning Documents, a reminder
As used by the City of London to introduce a Retrofit first policy.
The what, how, why and when of deposit return schemes
Circular economy steps for plastic bottles and cans in England and Northern Ireland draws.
Join forces and share Building Safety knowledge in 2025
Why and how to contribute to the Building Safety Wiki.
Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regs
Approved amendment coming into effect 1 March 2025.