Overview of the 2017 Contracts
Summary
The second editions of the three main FIDIC construction contracts were formally introduced at the London users' conference in December 2017. The new Red, Yellow and Silver Books had long been anticipated and represented the first update to the three main forms since 1999. The third feature of the Red Book, which it shares with the Yellow Book, is that an important role is assigned to the Engineer. Under both Books in both the 1999 and 2017 editions the Employer is obliged to appoint an Engineer to administer the Contract. Although more detailed and differently structured, clause 1.9 in the 2017 edition applies a substantially similar test to determine the Contractor's right to claim more time or money in respect of errors contained in the Employer's Requirements. The 2017 Books contain new potential risks for both Contractor and Employer, some of which are highlighted in this chapter.