eLEGAL


	In supply chain types of business relationships such as those between a main contractor and its sub-contractors, information flows generally coincide with business contracts.
	This should enable the clear definition of roles and responsibilities, in terms of both what data should be shared/exchanged, when, and by what means.
	However, even this type of arrangement has problems, with the main contractor having to act as a clearing-house for communications, with its inherent delays and associated costs [Thorpe, et al., 1998].
	As projects and design processes become more complex, the need for direct communications between these supply chain partners is also increased, but no direct contractual relationship between these parties is available to manage this interaction.
	This is typical of the situation in a VE: The business contracts are between actors who often have very little mutual communication. The main information flows are between actors who are not contractually linked.
	This lack of contractual support for the use of ICTs in VEs is highlighted by initial results from the eLEGAL project.