WHITE & CASE LLP
Company number: OC324340
Reporting period:
1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026
Report filed on:
24 July 2026
Approved by:
Oliver Brettle
Contracts and payments
Do any of this business's construction contracts with its suppliers include retention clauses? Yes
Payment statistics
Average time taken to pay invoices: 27 days
Total value paid:
- within 30 days: £55,625,894 (68%)
- in 31 to 60 days: £20,027,503 (25%)
- in 61 days or more: £5,895,774 (7%)
Invoices paid:
- within 30 days: 80%
- in 31 to 60 days: 12%
- in 61 days or more: 8%
Late and disputed:
- total value of payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: £14,033,193
- payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: 11%
- not made in the reporting period due to a dispute: 0%
Payment terms
Shortest standard payment periods
30 days
Longest standard payment period
45 days
Standard payment terms
Our standard contractual payment period is 45 days; however, we recognise that payment terms may be subject to adjustment during the course of negotiations, having regard to the specific circumstances of the vendor including, for example, where the vendor is a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) or an individual contractor.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No
Were suppliers notified or consulted about these changes before they were made?
N/A
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
45 days
Our maximum contractual payment period is 45 days; however, we recognise that payment terms may be subject to adjustment during the course of negotiations, having regard to the specific circumstances of the vendor including, for example, where the vendor is a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) or an individual contractor.
Any other information about payment terms
Payment terms for client related suppliers (e.g. barristers, professional services) have not been included on the basis that these are only payable when we receive payment from clients. Additionally, inter-company agreements have also been excluded.
Retention clauses
How does this business use retention clauses?
Retention clauses are used in specific circumstances:
Retention clauses are not embedded in standard payment terms or procurement templates, but are included only in qualifying construction contracts where appropriate given the nature of the works, reflecting standard construction industry practice. They are applied based on the risk profile, nature and complexity of works, not a fixed contract value threshold. They provide assurance that defects, snagging items, and outstanding works are satisfactorily completed and rectified.
Does this business only use retention clauses in construction contracts above a specific contract sum?
No
Does this business use a standard percentage rate in retention clauses?
No
Does this business apply retention clause practices that are no more onerous than those applied to it on the same project?
Yes:
Retention clauses are not drafted to be more onerous than market-standard provisions and are consistent with those White & Case would reasonably accept under comparable arrangements. They follow recognised industry norms, are limited in scope and duration to completion and defect-rectification assurance, and White & Case does not impose enhanced, punitive, or asymmetric provisions on suppliers.
Retention percentages are set out in individual contracts and reflect market-standard construction practice, not a firm-wide standard. Where Joint Contracts Tribunal ("JCT") standard forms are used, retention percentages align with standard market norms (e.g., expressed as a percentage of interim payments, released in stages), with precise percentages agreed on a contract-by-contract basis. Each contract is reviewed to ensure retention provisions remain proportionate, commercially reasonable, and aligned with prevailing market practice. There are no departures from standard JCT terms in the qualifying contracts.
Releasing money under a retention clause
Process for releasing money this business has deducted or retained under a retention clause
Retention amounts are released following the standard JCT process: staged release with a portion at practical completion and the balance following expiry of the defects liability period, once outstanding defects or snagging items have been satisfactorily addressed. There are no departures from standard JCT terms in the qualifying contract.
Is the money released in stages?
Yes:
Yes. Retention amounts are released in stages following the standard JCT process:
Stage 1: A portion of the retention is released upon practical completion.
Stage 2: The balance is released following expiry of the defects liability period, once outstanding defects or snagging items have been satisfactorily addressed.
Amount retained from suppliers in the reporting period
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the money retained from this business by its clients
100%
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the total construction payments made by this business
2%
Dispute resolution process
In the event of a dispute over an invoice or part of an invoice, White & Case shall notify the supplier of the dispute within 30 days of invoice receipt and White & Case will be only obligated to pay the undisputed portion of the bill until a mutually acceptable outcome has been reached between the parties or the dispute has been settled through the courts of England.
When a supplier complains about payment under a qualifying contract or a payment dispute arises, a Global Sourcing and Procurement Team member or the key White & Case contact as identified in the contract will liaise with the supplier to discuss and rectify the issue. If, in the unlikely situation, a resolution cannot be agreed, the discussions will need to be elevated to senior members of both parties. A thorough review of the contract, purchase order, invoice, and any other pertinent information will be conducted to understand all elements of the complaint or payment dispute. The Global Sourcing and Procurement Team will lead these discussions and work swiftly to ensure a mutual resolution is achieved.
Other payment information
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices? If so, which?
For example, signatories to The Fair Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
No, this business has not signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices.
Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
No
Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
No
Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No
During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No