Practical Guide to the Nec3 Professional Services Contract

1 Introduction 1
1.1 General 1
1.2 Mechanics not law 2
1.3 A simple formula for understanding a contract 2
1.4 Mandatory or discretionary 3
1.5 Conditions precedent 4
1.6 Note on use of upper case in key words and phrases 4

2 Background to the NEC Family of Contracts 6
2.1 The background: First editions 6
2.2 The second edition 7
2.3 The third edition 8
2.4 Endorsement of NEC3 by the Office of Government Commerce 8
2.5 General philosophy: Aims and objectives 9
2.6 Flexibility 9
2.7 Clarity and simplicity 10
2.8 Stimulus to good management 11
2.9 Other characteristics 12

3 The Options: An Overview 13
3.1 General arrangement of the PSC 13
3.2 Other documents referred to 15
3.3 Contract Data 16
3.4 The published documents 16
3.5 Main options: General outline 17

4 'Spirit of Mutual Trust and Cooperation' 18
4.1 Introduction 18
4.2 Core clause 10.1 18
4.3 What does it mean? 20
4.4 Practical issues 21

5 The Cast of Characters 25
5.1 Introduction 25
5.2 The Employer 25
5.3 The Employer's Agent 27
5.4 The Consultant 29
5.5 The Adjudicator 29
5.6 Subconsultants 30
5.7 'Others' 30
5.8 CDM Coordinator 31
5.9 Principal Contractor 32
5.10 Practical issues 32

6 Communications, Early Warnings and other General Matters 34
6.1 Introduction 34
6.2 Communications: The clause 34
6.3 Communications: Practical issues 36
6.4 Early warnings: The clause 38
6.5 Early warnings: Practical issues 39
6.6 Other matters: The clauses 42
6.7 Other matters: Practical issues 44

7 The Parties' Main Responsibilities 46
7.1 Introduction 46
7.2 The Employer's obligations 46
7.3 The Consultant's obligations 47
7.4 Other matters 48
7.5 Practical issues 52

8 Subconsulting 55
8.1 Introduction 55
8.2 Definition of a Subconsultant 55
8.3 The core clauses 56
8.4 Provisions in the main options 56
8.5 Practical issues 57
8.6 Using the PSC as a Subcontract 58

9 Quality 59
9.1 Introduction 59
9.2 Quality management system 59
9.3 What is a Defect? 60
9.4 The Defects procedure 61
9.5 Uncorrected Defects 62
9.6 Practical issues 62

10 Rights to Material 65
10.1 Introduction 65
10.2 The core clauses 65
10.3 Secondary option X9 66
10.4 Practical issues 67

11 Indemnity, Insurance and Liability 68
11.1 Introduction 68
11.2 The core clauses 68
11.3 Secondary option X18: Limitation of liability 70
11.4 Practical issues 71

12 Time 74
12.1 Introduction 74
12.2 The programme: Contents 75
12.3 The programme: Submitting, accepting and revising 79
12.4 The programme: Practical issues 82
12.5 Starting and finishing 90
12.6 Other matters 93
12.7 Secondary options related to Time 95
12.8 Practical issues 97

13 Payment 100
13.1 Introduction 100
13.2 The payment process 100
13.3 Payments in multiple currencies 102
13.4 The amount due and the Price for Services Provided to Date 103
13.5 Supporting documents and records 107
13.6 The Consultant's share 111
13.7 The Consultant's share: Practical issues 112
13.8 Special provisions for the UK 114
13.9 Related secondary options 116
13.10 Practical issues 118

14 Compensation Events: Theory and Events 120
14.1 Introduction 120
14.2 The theory 120
14.3 The events 122
14.4 Practical issues 130

15 Compensation Events: Procedures 132
15.1 Introduction 132
15.2 Notification by the Employer 133
15.3 Notification by the Consultant and the Employer's reply 136
15.4 Other matters associated with notifying compensation events 139
15.5 Quotations: Substance 141
15.6 Quotations: Submission and reply 142
15.7 Assessments by the Employer 147
15.8 Implementing compensation events 148
15.9 Practical issues 149

16 Compensation Events: Assessment 154
16.1 Introduction 154
16.2 Changes to the Prices 155
16.3 Changes to the Completion Date and any Key Dates 159
16.4 Employer’s assumptions 162
16.5 Other related matters 163
16.6 Practical issues 165

17 Termination 168
17.1 Introduction 168
17.2 Reasons for termination 168
17.3 Secondary option X11: Termination by the Employer 171
17.4 Implementing termination 171
17.5 Procedures after termination 172
17.6 Payment on termination 173
17.7 Practical issues 174

18 Dispute Resolution 176
18.1 Introduction 176
18.2 Option W1 177
18.3 Option W2 180
18.4 Practical issues 185

19 Secondary Options 188
19.1 Introduction 188
19.2 X2: Changes in the law 188
19.3 X4: Parent company guarantee 189
19.4 X8: Collateral warranty agreements 189
19.5 X12: Partnering 190
19.6 X13: Performance bond 194
19.7 X20: Key Performance Indicators 195
19.8 Y(UK)3: The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 196
19.9 Z: Additional conditions of contract 196
19.10 Practical issues 197

20 Completing the Contract Data 199
20.1 Introduction 199
20.2 Purpose and form of the Contract Data 199
20.3 Part One: Data for the core clauses 200
20.4 Part One: Data for the main option clauses 204
20.5 Part One: Data for the secondary option clauses 205
20.6 Part Two: Data for the core clauses 209
20.7 Part Two: Data for the optional statements 209
20.8 Practical issues 211

21 The Supporting Documents: Need and Content 214
21.1 Introduction 214
21.2 Scope 214
21.3 Practical issues 221

Bibliography 224

Further Reading 225

Appendix 1 Tables of Clause Numbers, Case Law and Statutes 226

Appendix 2 Tables of Employer’s, Consultant’s and Adjudicator's Actions 233

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