해외건설 계약용어 (71) Substantial Completion

[현학봉]

공사의 마지막을 의미하는 Completion에 대해 알아보도록 하겠습니다.

건설계약의 경우, Completion은 매우 중요한 의미를 갖는데, 완성되어야 할 목적물(Works)이 물리적으로 완성되었다는 것이고 따라서 해당 목적물을 발주자가 사용할 수 있게 되었다는 것을 의미하기 때문입니다.

문제는, “어떤 상태가 되어야 Completion이 이루어졌다고 할 수 있을 것인가”라는 것입니다. 시공자가 계약을 통해 수행해야 할 모든 일을 하나도 빠짐없이 모두 완벽하게, 그야말로 100% 완료하였을 때를 의미하지는 않는다는 것입니다. 물론 계약에 따라서는(계약은 당사자 간에 자유롭게 정하는 것입니다) 100% 완벽하게 완료된 시점을 의미하는 경우도 있을 수 있겠으나, 이는 통상적인 경우라 할 수없고 대부분의 경우에는 일부 잔여작업이 남아 있더라도 어느 정도의 수준에 이르면 Completion 된 것으로 하고 있고 그러한 상태를 substantially complete 되었다고 합니다.

그러면 어떤 상태가 되어야 substantial completion이 이루어졌다고 할 수 있는지 이해를 돕기 위하여 AIA(American Institute of Architect)가 발간한 계약양식 중 A201-2007의 Section 9.8.1에 정의되어 있는 내용을 아래에 인용하였습니다.

“Substantial Completion is the stage in the progress of the Work when the Work or designated portion thereof is sufficiently complete in accordance with the Contract Documents so that the Owner can occupy or utilize the Work for its intended use.”

위 정의에 의하면, 발주자(Owner, FIDIC에서는 Employer라고 합니다)가 점유할 수 있는 상태가 되거나 공사목적물(Work)을 발주자가 의도한 대로 사용할 수 있을 정도로 진행된 상태가 되면 Substantial Completion이 된 것으로 인정된다는 것입니다. 이러한 정의는 대부분의 계약에 적용될 수 있는 원칙이라 생각하면 될 것 입니다. 

위 정의에 따른 Completion이 이루어지면 공사목적물에 대한 책임이 시공자로부터 발주자에게 넘어가게 되고, 하자책임기간(FIDIC에서는 하자통지기간)이 시작되며, 지체상금(FIDIC에서는 지연배상금) 적용의 기준이 되므로 계약적으로 매우 중요한 의미를 갖고 있음을 이해해야 합니다. 

FIDIC 계약조건의 경우, 위에 인용된 AIA 계약조건과 같이 직접적으로 정의하고 있지는 않으나, Taking Over Certificate를 규정하고 있는 10.1조항을 통해 "except for any minor outstanding work and defects which will not substantially affect the use of the Works or Section for their intended purpose"이라고 함으로써 위에 정의된 AIA 계약조건의 내용과 같은 원칙을 적용하고 있습니다.

FIDIC 계약조건은, 공사목적물이 완료되는, 위에 정의된 의미의 Completion Date와 발주자가 실제로 공사목적물을 인도받아 사용하게 되는 시점을 의미하는 Taking Over Date(Taking Over Certificate에 명시된 날짜로 정해짐)와 구별하고 있는데, 행정적인 절차에 따른소요기간을 고려한 것으로 이해됩니다.