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

Course Description

The NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contracts and wide NEC suite are increasingly being adopted across Irish construction and infrastructure projects. However, many projects fail to realise NEC’s intended benefits due to inconsistent understanding and poor application in practice. This course bridges that gap. Rather than simply explaining what NEC says, this session focuses on how NEC works in the real world – drawing on live project experience, dispute resolution insight and practical examples from across the UK and Ireland.

By the end of this course, attendees will understand:

How NEC4 is Structured and why it is fundamentally different
How to administer the contract properly
Where projects typically go wrong
How to avoid disputes – and how they arise when things slip

All attendees will receive:

Comprehensive course slides
Practical checklists and templates
Example notices and communications
Case study materials

Course content

Overview & Introductions
NEC4 – Core Principles & Structure
Practical Insight: Why NEC is often misunderstood by teams used to traditional contracts
NEC in Ireland – Market Context
Case Examples – Where NEC has worked well – Where poor administration has led to disputes
Roles, Responsibilities & Communications
Interactive Exercise: Spot the contractual failure (real-world scenario)
Early Warning & Risk Management
Practical Insight – How failures in early warning directly lead to adjudications
Compensation Events (The Heart of NEC)
Case Study – Walk through of a live compensation event scenario
Payment & Programme
Practical Insight – Why programme failures are often fatal in disputes
Dispute Avoidance & Resolution
Final Takeaways - Top 10 practical rules for using NEC Successfully

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

Who Should Attend

This course will be highly beneficial to anyone using or considering the NECs for future projects including clients, project managers, engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, commercial managers, legal advisors, contracts managers and academics to name just a few

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.