Clyde & Co helps demystify FIDIC contracts in the construction industry with launch of new guide

Global law firm Clyde & Co has today launched a new series advising on the application of the FIDIC suite of contracts. This comprehensive guide covers the main FIDIC international standard forms which are used in the construction industry and aims to help construction businesses ensure their contracts protect them from unexpected risks and provide a format to avoid inconsistencies in complex documents.

The new guide, ‘Clyde Commentary: Thoughts on FIDIC’, will be released in a series of instalments on a monthly basis and considers each clause of FIDIC, starting with the first three Clauses, in the main contracts that make up the FIDIC suite – the Red Book (Construction), Yellow Book (Plant & Design Build), and Silver Book (EPC/Turnkey) – in both the 1999 and the 2017 editions.

The International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) is renowned for its multi-coloured suite of standard form construction contracts, which have been developed over 50 years as the international standard for the Consulting Industry. They are recognised and used globally in many jurisdictions, on all types of projects.

The series launches with the first three clauses, the last of which includes an interactive Snakes & Ladders feature that enables readers to navigate the labyrinth agreement and determination procedure (Sub-Clauses 3.5/3.7) in the 2017 Suite.  Each instalment will focus on a particular Clause, giving insight into key areas, and contributing incrementally to an overall guide to all of the suite.

Clyde & Co’s global Projects & Construction group acts for many of the world's major international contractors and other market participants, encompassing the full range of projects & construction services. The group’s transactional team advises on critical and complex infrastructure projects with significant capabilities throughout the project lifecycle, encompassing drafting and negotiating contract documents and providing project delivery support. Clyde & Co has also gained a reputation for specialising in cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex disputes in the construction industry.