Adoption of plain language to Sri Lankan construction contracts: a narrative review.

Abstract

Construction contracts serve as legally binding agreement that govern the relationships and obligations of parties involved in construction projects. However, their complex and legalistic language often creates difficulties for contract users. Plain language construction contracts have emerged as an approach to overcome interpretation errors and misunderstandings caused by the traditional legalistic language used in conventional construction contracts. This study adopts a narrative literature review approach, examining literature published over the past fifteen years (2010–2025), focusing on the adoption of plain language in construction contracts, its benefits, challenges, and relevance to the Sri Lankan construction industry. The results indicate that plain language can improve clarity, readability, accessibility, and stakeholder communication, while reducing misinterpretation and potential disputes. Challenges include concerns about legal precision, resistance to change, and the need for specialised drafting skills. Furthermore, the study identifies a research gap, as scholarly attention on plain language construction contracts in Sri Lanka remains limited. The study proposes future research directions including assessing the readiness of the Sri Lankan construction industry to adopt plain language construction contracts, developing contract templates suitable for the Sri Lankan context, and conducting pilot testing to evaluate their practical applicability. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by synthesizing global insights on plain language construction contracts and reflecting on their relevance to the Sri Lankan construction industry.