After a Certificate of Practical Completion (CPC) is issued, can an Architect issue an Interim Certificate?(LAM Paper 2 Q2a)

CPC is a significant milestone as well as a moot point in construction contracts. PAM 06 allows CPC to be issued with minor outstanding works and/or defects (see clause 15.1(a)) with the following conditions:

1. Employer can have full use of the works for their intended purposes
2. The outstanding works are minor in nature
3. Contractor has given to the Architect written undertaking to complete/make good such works.

With that in mind, an interim certificate could be issued after CPC at any time before the final certificate, upon completion of these outstanding works/defects.

Another reason for issuance of interim certificate after CPC would be to revise or correct any previous payment certificate (see clause 30.3)

To further clarify the matter clause 30.1 expressly states:

“ ..After issuance of CPC, interim certificates shall be issued as and when further amounts are ascertained by the Architect and QS as payable to the Contractor by the Employer”