The FIDIC suite of contracts is used on infrastructure projects across more than 100 countries, including a growing number of multilateral-funded projects in India. Yet many engineers meet these documents for the first time only after a project is already running. This primer covers the essentials.
Which book applies?
- Red Book – Conditions of Contract for Construction, where the Employer provides the design.
- Yellow Book – Plant and Design-Build, where the Contractor carries the design responsibility.
- Silver Book – EPC/Turnkey, which shifts most risk to the Contractor in exchange for price certainty.
Choosing the wrong form is the first and most expensive mistake. Match the book to who controls the design and who is best placed to carry the risk.
The role of the Engineer
Under the Red and Yellow Books, the Engineer administers the contract: issuing instructions, certifying payments and making fair determinations. The 2017 editions require the Engineer to act neutrally when determining claims – a significant change from earlier practice.
Most FIDIC disputes are not about engineering. They are about notices that were never given, or were given too late.
Time bars and notices
Sub-Clause 20 sets strict timelines. A Contractor must notify a claim within 28 days of becoming aware of the event. Miss the window and the entitlement may be lost entirely. Build a notice register from day one and review it weekly.
Practical takeaways
- Read the Particular Conditions first – they override the General Conditions.
- Keep contemporary records; they are your evidence.
- Use the Dispute Avoidance/Adjudication Board early, not as a last resort.
CEAI Academy runs a dedicated FIDIC Contracting Training Programme covering these topics through worked case studies.
