Ebook: A Practical Guide to the NEC3 Professional Services Contract

Currently in its third edition, the NEC suite has become one of the UK’s leading families of standard forms of contract for major construction and civil engineering projects. Part of the NEC suite, the Professional Services Contract (PSC) was drafted with the same process-based approach and objectives, offering a standard contract for the appointment of consultants providing professional services in an engineering or construction project. Embodying best practice in terms of project management, the basic philosophy of the PSC differs from the principles and approach of other standard contracts used to appoint consultants.

This book is a practical guide to the application of the PSC. Starting with a brief discussion of the background and philosophy behind the PSC, it identifies the roles and responsibilities of each of the named functions within the contract, explains the approaches required to achieve a successful working relationship between all parties, and examines all the procedures in the PSC. The book explains the links between the various sections of the contract to assist the reader with cross referencing, and covers all the variations created by the Main and Secondary Options. As a very practical guide it will aid users in the transition from their use and understanding of the other standard contracts to the collaborative project management-based approach of the PSC.

Written for anyone working in the construction and related industries using the PSC to procure or provide consultancy services in relation to a construction project, it will be of interest to the complete construction supply chain, particularly architects, structural engineers, services (M&E) engineers, civil engineers, quantity surveyors and interior designers, together with Contractors and Sub-Contractors who have a design liability and employ consultants to assist them. It will also be of interest to consultants and lawyers advising any of these parties, either in the preparation of contract documentation or the resolution of problem situations which may arise.

Content:
Chapter 1 Introduction (pages 1–5):
Chapter 2 Background to the NEC Family of Contracts (pages 6–12):
Chapter 3 The Options: An Overview (pages 13–17):
Chapter 4 ‘Spirit of Mutual Trust and Cooperation’ (pages 18–24):
Chapter 5 The Cast of Characters (pages 25–33):
Chapter 6 Communications, Early Warnings and other General Matters (pages 34–45):
Chapter 7 The Parties' Main Responsibilities (pages 46–54):
Chapter 8 Subconsulting (pages 55–58):
Chapter 9 Quality (pages 59–64):
Chapter 10 Rights to Material (pages 65–67):
Chapter 11 Indemnity, Insurance and Liability (pages 68–73):
Chapter 12 Time (pages 74–99):
Chapter 13 Payment (pages 100–119):
Chapter 14 Compensation Events: Theory and Events (pages 120–131):
Chapter 15 Compensation Events: Procedures (pages 132–153):
Chapter 16 Compensation Events: Assessment (pages 154–167):
Chapter 17 Termination (pages 168–175):
Chapter 18 Dispute Resolution (pages 176–187):
Chapter 19 Secondary Options (pages 188–198):
Chapter 20 Completing the Contract Data (pages 199–213):
Chapter 21 The Supporting Documents: Need and Content (pages 214–223):