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A few words from our tutor on what you can expect from this course

Course Description

NEC contracts are increasingly used on Irish construction and infrastructure projects, yet many fail to achieve their intended benefits due to lack of understanding and inconsistent application.

This one-day course explains how NEC operates in practice on Irish projects. It examines NEC’s commercial and management mechanisms, the interaction with Irish law and statutory adjudication, and the common pitfalls that lead to disputes and cost overruns.

The focus throughout is practical understanding, role clarity and consistent application of the contract on live projects.

Course content

‍Introduction & why NEC for Irish Construction Projects
‍‍Group Discussion – Is NEC suitable for all Irish Projects?
NEC under Irish Law – adjudication process
‍Pros and cons of using NEC on Irish Construction Projects
Structure of NEC‍
‍Why Role clarity is critical (especially PM vs Engineer roles) - Risks of appointing an under-resourced project manager
‍NEC in Practice – Managing the Contract correctly
Best Practice when working with NEC
‍‍NEC at Project Close-out
‍‍Common Pitfalls and how to avoid them
‍‍ Real Irish Cases

Your return on investment

Significantly reduce the risk of disputed compensation events, time bar arguments and rejected programmes
Protect your organisation from cost overruns arising from inconsistent NEC administration
Avoid the commercial consequences of poorly drafted Z clauses and role confusion
Strengthen your ability to manage NEC projects confidently under Irish law and statutory adjudication

At the end of this course, you will know how to

Distinguish between NEC core clauses, main options and secondary options, and understand how they operate together
Map traditional Irish project roles to NEC roles and identify where conflicts commonly arise
Navigate compensation event procedures, including notification, quotations and assessments
Understand how statutory adjudication in Ireland interacts with NEC time bars and project manager decisions

Who Should Attend

This course is relevant to clients, project managers, engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, commercial managers and legal advisors who are using, administering or considering NEC contracts on Irish construction and infrastructure projects.

It will be particularly useful for those responsible for contract management, commercial oversight and decision-making under NEC4.

Certification

On completion of this one-day training course, you will receive your Certificate of Attendance. Please note certificates are issued at the close of the training course to participants on completion of the course.

This course may qualify for CPD points. Please check directly with your association or awarding body to see how many points they will award.

Cost

An ‘Early Bird’ discounted rate of €545 is currently available. This training course normal rate is €645. Places are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis. PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY BIRD RATE CLOSES 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO COURSE DATE. The course cost includes all course documentation and Certificate of Attendance.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is NEC4 and how is it used in Ireland?

NEC4 is a suite of construction contracts increasingly used on Irish public, infrastructure and utility projects. It places strong emphasis on programme management, early warnings and defined processes for compensation events.

How does NEC4 differ from traditional Irish forms of contract such as RIAI or Public Works Contracts?

NEC4 adopts a more structured approach to programme acceptance, compensation events and project manager decision-making. This course examines how those differences operate in practice on Irish projects.

Is NEC4 suitable for all Irish construction projects?

NEC4 can be effective on many project types, but suitability depends on how it is structured, administered and resourced. The course explores where NEC works well and where challenges commonly arise in Ireland.

How do compensation events work under NEC4?

Compensation events are a core mechanism within NEC4 for dealing with change. The course examines notification requirements, time bars, quotations and assessment procedures under Irish projects.

How does statutory adjudication in Ireland interact with NEC contracts?

NEC contracts operate within Irish construction law, including statutory adjudication. The course reviews how time bars, project manager decisions and compensation event procedures may interact with adjudication.

What are Z clauses and why do they matter on Irish NEC projects?

Z clauses amend the standard NEC wording. Poorly drafted or heavily amended Z clauses can significantly alter risk allocation and project outcomes. This course highlights common Irish pitfalls.