As usage of the NEC family of contracts continues to grow worldwide, so does the importance of understanding its clauses and nuances to everyone working in the built environment. This second edition of Understanding the NEC4 ECC Contract uses plain English to lead the reader through the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract’s key features. Chapters cover:

• Contractor’s main responsibilities
• The use of early warnings
• Contractor’s design
• Tendering
• Quality management
• Payment
• Liabilities and insurance
• Termination
• Avoiding and resolving disputes

and much more.

Common problems experienced when using the Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) are signalled to the reader throughout, and the correct way of reading each clause explained. The way the contract effects procurement processes, dispute resolution, project management and risk management are all addressed in order to direct the user to best practice. This second edition takes into account the updates to the contract released in 2019, 2020 and 2023, and brings the book up to date with the most current practice.

Written for construction professionals, by a practicing international construction contract consultant, this handbook is the most straightforward, balanced and practical guide to the NEC4 ECC available. An ideal companion for employers, contractors, project managers, supervisors, engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, subcontractors and anyone else interested in working successfully with the NEC4 ECC.

Kelvin Hughes spent 18 years in commercial management with major contractors, then the past 31 years as a consultant, including a four-year senior lectureship at the University of Glamorgan (now University of South Wales). He has been a leading authority on the NEC since 1996, was Secretary of the NEC Users’ Group for 10 years and has run over 2,000 NEC training courses.