International Construction Contract
International Construction Contract
CONSTRUCTION LAW
June 2024
Aksum – Ethiopia
Construction Law
5 – International Construction Contract
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Obligations of the Contractor
3. Contractor’s Remedial Rights
4. Obligations of the Employer
5. Employer’s Remedial Rights
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Construction Law
5 – International Construction Contract
1. INTRODUCTION
This part of the Course deals about international construction contract based on the FIDIC international Conditions of
Contract. The specific FIDIC conditions of contract to be referred shall be that of the MDB Harmonized Edition, 2006.
The delivery method adopted by the said conditions of contract is that of design, bid and build (DBB). This condition of
contract has been approved by all major international financial and development institutions.
The said condition of contract is divided in to 20 major clauses and 177 sub-clauses; The major clauses are the
following:
The said condition of contract has been supported by two appendices. The appendices are related to Dispute Board.
These are:
Contractual Terminologies
A given legislation defines certain terms in terms of the contextual application of that same term in that given
legislation.
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The purpose of that definition is to delimit the scope of application of that relevant term and the
interpretation of same.
On the same principle, the MDB Conditions of Contract have defined, under its Article 1.1: Definitions, certain
contractual terms, which have key and critical meaning within the framework of same.
▪ The Contract;
▪ Parties and Persons;
▪ Dates, Tests, Periods and Completion;
▪ Money and Payments;
▪ Works and Goods;
▪ Other Definitions; like Contractor’s Documents, Country, Employer’s Equipment, Force Majeure,
Laws, Performance Security, Site, Unforeseeable and Variation;
Such contractual terms contain documentary, party related, time, financial, work and other dimensions.
The presentations under this part of the Course have been classified in to the following sections:
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Construction Law
5 – International Construction Contract
The obligations of the contractor, under the MDB Conditions of Contract, may be generalized as follows.
Completion obligation;
Quality performance obligation;
Timely performance obligation;
Obligation to provide securities, indemnity and insurance;
Obligation to supply information and notice;
Administrative obligation;
Obligation up on or after completion;
Completion Obligation
i. Basic Obligation
• Completion of the whole of the Works in accordance with the Contract up to Take Over
(Clause 10) of the Works;
Clause 19.7 due to legal or physical impossibility; see also Article 1678(b) (lawful and possible) cum Article
1715(1) (–possibility to be performed) of the Civil Code
Clause 17.3 in case of the occurrence of the Employer’s Risks;
Clause 8.8 in case of suspension of the Works by the Employer;
Clause 16.1 in case of legitimate suspension of the Works by the Contractor;
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Clause 16.2 in case of termination of the Contract by the Contractor due to the default of the Employer;
Clause 15.5 in case of termination of the Contract by the Employer for its convenience; see also the concept
of employer’s termination of contract for its convenience under Article 3180 of the Civil Code;
Clause 8.11 in case of termination of the Contract for the whole of the Works due to prolonged suspension
caused by the Employer;
Clause 19.6 in case of optional termination of the Contract by the Contractor or by the Employer due to
prevention of performance by force majeure; see the legal concept and scope of force majeure under Article
1792-Article 1794 of the Civil Code;
Clause 4.1 and Clause 7.1 using materials, plant and workmanship as provided in the Contract specifically in
the Technical Specifications;
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Clause 8.8 cum Clause 8. 9 due to Suspension of Work and its consequences;
Clause 8.11 due to prolonged suspension; (NB: If the performance of Work resumed after such prolonged
suspension.)
Clause 16. 1(h) due to suspension & deceleration of the Works by the Contractor due to payment problems;
Other specified grounds entitling the Contractor to extension of time for completion:
Clause 8.6 (Rate of Progress) due to the Engineer’s instruction to accelerate the progress of the Works, for
which the Contractor is not responsible under the Contract;
Clause 8.7: The Contractor’s liability to pay Delay Damages occurs in case of the alternative contractual
grounds:
Securities
Indemnity
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▪ Clause 4.14 in relation to avoidance of interference with the convenience of the public or the access to
and use and occupation of all roads and footpaths …;
▪ Clause 4.16 in relation to transport of goods;
▪ Clause 17.1 in relation to bodily injury, sickness, diseases or death, of any person whatsoever arising out
of or in the course of or by reason of the Contractor’s design (if any), the execution and completion of
the Works and remedying of any defects therein;
▪ Clause 17.5 in relation to intellectual and industrial property rights against and from any other claim
which arises out of or in relation to the manufacture, use, sale or import of any Goods, or any design for
which the Contractor is responsible;
Insurance
▪ Clause 18.1 in relation to general requirements (choice of the insurer, terms of insurance, making the
insurance in the joint name, providing the policy, providing evidence for the payment of premium, use of
the insurance money for the purpose of the Contract, …) in providing specific insurance arrangement;
▪ Clause 18.2 in relation to insurance of Works and Contractor’s Equipment;
▪ Clause 18.3 in relation to insurance against injury to persons and damage to property;
▪ Clause 18.4 in relation to insurance for Contractor’s Personnel;
Information
Clause 4.1(a) & (b) design information, in case where the Contractor is required under the Contract to
design part of the permanent Works;
Clause 4.24 geological or archeological finds (Fossils);
Clause 5.4 submitting evidence in relation to payments made to the nominated sub-contractors, as the
Engineer requests;
Clause 6.10 details of Labour and Equipment;
Clause 8.3 programme and revised programme;
Clause 12.1 particulars as requested by the Engineer information pertaining to measurement of Works;
Clause 13.5 in relation to provisional sums submission of quotations, receipts, vouchers and accounts or
receipts for substantiation of the use of the said sums;
Clause 13.6 on use of Day Work items, on daily basis;
Clause 14.3 submitting monthly statements to the Engineer for payment purposes;
Clause 20.1 contemporary records as per the request of the Engineer;
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Notices
Clause 1.9 giving notices in relation to delayed drawings or instructions by the Engineer;
Clause 1.13 giving of all notices…in relation to the execution and completion of the Works and remedying
any defects therein;
Clause 2.1 giving notice to the Employer in case of failure of the Employer in providing possession of Site;
Clause 4.2 in case of submission of the Performance Security copy to the Employer;
Clause 4.12 in case of encountering unforeseeable physical conditions: to the Employer;
Clause 4.16 notice to be given to the Engineer in relation to transport of Goods and Plant to be delivered
to the Site;
Clause 7.3 giving notice to the Engineer in case of any work is ready and before it is covered up, put out
of sight, or packaged for storage or transport or inspection;
Clause 8.4 giving notice to the Engineer in case of request for extension of time (EOT) for completion;
Clause 8.9 giving notice to the Engineer in case of suspension of work instructed by the Engineer;
Clause 8.11 giving notice to the Engineer in case of prolonged suspension of the Works;
Clause 10.1 giving notice to the Engineer in case of requesting the Taking Over of the Works and Sections,
if any;
Clause 13.1 giving notice to the Engineer the reasons (with supporting particulars) not to execute the
variation order or instruction;
Clause 17.4 giving notice to the Engineer in case of the effects or consequences of the Employer’s Risks;
Clause 18.1 giving notice to the Engineer in case of submission of insurance policies to the Employer;
Clause 20.1 giving notice to the Engineer describing the event or circumstance giving rise to the claim;
Clause 20.4 giving notice of dissatisfaction with the decision of the adjudicator to the Employer;
Clause 20.4 giving notice of intention to commence arbitration;
Administrative Obligation
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The remedial rights are the liability of the other party (ex. the employer), which result due to breaching it’s (i.e. the
employer’s) contractual and/or legal obligation. The remedial rights of the Contractor may be categorized, as
contractual and legal remedies:
Contractual Remedies;
▪ Financial remedies; Cost; Profit; Financing charges; and Indemnity;
▪ Extension of time;
▪ Other remedies; Deceleration of progress of the Works; Suspension; and Termination;
Legal Remedies;
▪ Specific Performance;
▪ Cancellation of Contract;
▪ General damages;
▪ Other remedies, if any;
▪ see Article 1771 et seq. of the Civil Code;
Contractual Remedies
a) Financial Remedies
Cost
▪ Clause 1.9(b) due to delayed issuance of drawings and instructions to the Contractor caused by the
Engineer;
▪ Clause 2.1(b) due to delay caused in providing access to the Site caused by the Employer (Initial Delay);
▪ Clause 4.7 due to delay suffered by the Contractor in case of error in setting out;
▪ Clause 4.12(b) due to delay caused by unforeseeable physical conditions;
▪ Clause 4.24(b) due to delay caused in case of discovery & reporting of fossils;
▪ Clause 7.4(b) due to delay suffered by the Contractor caused by the Employer in case of testing;
▪ Clause 8.9(b) due to delay caused by the effect of suspension as ordered by the Engineer;
▪ Clause 10.3(b) due to delay caused by the interference of the Employer with Tests on Completion;
▪ Clause 11.6 due to incurring of costs by the Contractor with respect to repetition of Tests;
▪ Clause 13.7 cum 14.3(b) due to incurring of cots in relation to adjustment for changes in legislation;
▪ Clause 13.8 due to incurring of costs in relation to adjustment of changes in cost;
▪ Clause 14.3(a) cum Clause 13.2 entitlement to additional cost in case of cost reduction in relation to Value
Engineering;
▪ Clause 15.4 (c) getting the balance, if any, in relation to termination of the Contract due to the default of
the Contractor and the completion of the project by the Employer or third part;
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▪ Clause 16.1 (b) due to suspension of works by the Contractor, as caused by the problem of payment and
thereby incurred cost;
▪ Clause 16.1(b) due to reduction of the progress of the works by the Contractor as caused by the problem
of payment & thereby incurred cost;
▪ Clause 16.4 (c) due to termination of Contract by the Contractor due to the default of the Employer and
recovering costs incurred thereby;
▪ Clause 17.4(b) costs incurred due to consequences of the Employer’s Risks;
▪ Clause 19.7 (b) entitlement to some payment in case of release from performance of the Contract
(Frustration);
▪ Clause 20.1 cum Clause 14.3(f) payment of additional payment due to claims of the Contractor;
▪ Clause 1.9(b) in case of delayed issuance of drawings and instruction by the Engineer;
▪ Clause 2.1(b) in case of delay in providing access to the Site;
▪ Clause 4.7(b) in case of error in Setting out;
▪ Clause 7.4(b) in case of delay suffered by the Contractor caused by the Employer in relation to Testing;
▪ Clause 10.3(b) in case of interference with Tests on Completion by the Employer;
▪ Clause 16.1(b) in case of suspension and reduction of the progress of the work by the Contractor caused
by payment problem;
▪ Clause 17.4(b) cum Clause 17.3(f) &(g) in case of Employer’s Risks;
Financing Charges
Indemnity
▪ Indemnity includes claims, damages, losses, and expenses including legal fees and expenses;
▪ Clause 4.2 in case of calling the Performance Security by the Employer to the extent to which the
Employer was not entitled to make the claim;
▪ Clause 17.1 general obligation in relation to indemnifying the Contractor by the Employer;
▪ Clause 17.5 indemnifying the Contractor in relation to intellectual and industrial property rights;
b) Extension of Time
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▪ Clause 8.4(e) due to any delay, impediment or prevention caused by or attributable to the Employer, the
Employer’s personnel (including the Engineer see Clause 1.1.2.6) or the Employer’s other contractors;
▪ Clause 8.4(b)cum Clause 1.9(a) due to delay in issuing drawing and instructions by the Engineer to the
Contractor;
▪ Clause 8.4(b) cum Clause 2.1(a) due to delay in providing access to the Site by the Employer;
▪ Clause 8.4(b) Clause 4.7(a) due to delay caused due to error in Setting out;
▪ Clause 8.4(b) cum Clause 4.12(a) delay due to unforeseeable physical conditions;
▪ Clause 8.4(b)cum Clause 4.24(a) delay caused due to discovery and reporting of Fossils;
▪ Clause 8.4(b)cum Clause 7.4(a) delay caused by the Employer in relation to Testing;
▪ Clause 8.4(b)cum Clause 8.8 delay caused by suspension as ordered by the Engineer;
▪ Clause 8.4(b)cum Clause 8.11 delay caused due to prolonged suspension provided the Contractor opted
for resuming the performance of the Works after such prolonged suspension;
▪ Clause 8.4(b)cum Clause 16.1(h) delay caused to the Contractor due to suspension or reduction in the
progress of the Works by the Contractor due to delay in payment;
▪ Clause 8.11 cum Clause 16.2 (f) due to prolonged suspension of the Works by the Employer;
▪ Clause 16.2 (a) through (j) due to the default of the Employer;
▪ Clause 16.2(h) due to delay in payment & other payment related grounds;
Legal remedies
a) Specific Performance; see Article 1771(1) cum Article 1776 ff of the Civil Code;
b) Cancellation of Contract; see Article 1771(1) cum Article 1784 ff of the Civil Code;
c) General Damages; see Article 1771(2) cum Article 1790 ff of the Civil Code;
d) Other legal Remedies, if any;
e) See also in general Article 1771 et seq. of the Civil Code;
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▪ Payment obligation;
▪ Risk sharing obligation;
▪ Acceptance obligation; and
▪ Other obligations;
Payment Obligation
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Clause 14.3(a) cum Clause 13.2 payment of additional payment to the Contractor derived from
savings due to the effects of Value Engineering;
Clause 14.8 payment of financing charges in case of delay in payment;
Clause 15.4(c) entitlement to a balance of costs, if any, in case of termination of the Contract by the
Employer due to the default of the Contractor, after completion of the Works by the Employer or
another contractor;
Clause 16.1(b) payment of cost and profit in case of suspension and reduction of the progress of the
Works by the Contractor;
Clause 16.4 payment of any loss or damage sustained by the Contractor due to termination of the
Contract by the Contractor due to the default of the Employer;
Clause 17.4(b)cum Clause 17.3(f) & (g) payment of cost and profit in case of Employer’s risks;
Clause 19.7 payment of costs in relation to Plant, Materials, other costs and liabilities, cost of
removal of the Temporary Works, cost of the repatriation of Contractor’s Personnel;
Clause 20.1 cum Clause 14.3 payment of claims;
The risk sharing obligation of is related to the obligation of the employer under the contract.
This governed under Clause 17.3 (Employer’s Risks);
Acceptance Obligation
Other Obligations
b) Appointing an Engineer
c) Supplying Instructions as to the Carrying out of the Works (i.e. instructions, information,
consents, approvals, notices …)
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Clause 1.13cum Clause 8.4(a) in relation to failure to secure the required planning, zoning and other
permits;
Clause 4.6 cum Clause 8.4(a) in relation not to cause delay to the Contractor due to the Employer,
Employer’s Personnel and Employer’s other contractors;
Clause 1.9 cum Clause 8.4(a) in relation to issuing instruction or drawing by the Engineer;
Clause 13.3 cum Clause 8.4(a) in relation to making variations or other substantive change to the
quantity of Works;
Clause 2.1 cum Clause 8.4(a) in relation to failure to give possession of Site and access thereto;
Clause 12.4 ordering omission of the Works not for the purpose of awarding the omitted part to be
completed by other contractors or itself;
Clause 13.1(d) in relation to omission of works unless it is to be carried out by others;
Clause 4.1 in relation to the Contractor’s general obligation to execute and complete the whole of the
Works and not to interfere therewith by the Employer;
g) Supplying Materials and Carrying out Works, if these form Part of the Works
Clause 4.6 in relation to employing other contractors to carry out works not forming part of the
Contract with the Contractor;
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Clause 4.20 in relation to supplying Employer’s Equipment and Free-Issue –Materials to the
Contractor, indeed against payment;
h) Indemnity Obligation
Clause 4.2 in relation to Performance security resulting from a claim under the Performance
Security to the extent to which the Employer was not entitled to make the claim there under;
Clause 17.1 in relation to indemnity relative to bodily injury, sickness, diseases or death, for which
the Employer is responsible under the Contract;
Clause 17.5 in relation to intellectual and industrial property rights (infringement of rights);
i) Insurance Obligation
Clause 17.3 in relation to Employer’s Risks (if the test of insurability has passed and capable of
insuring);
Clause 18.1 in relation to general requirements for insurance, the Employer as "insuring party"
under the Contract;
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The remedial rights are the liability of the other party (ex. the contractor), which result due to breaching of it’s (i.e. the
contractor’s) contractual and/or legal obligation. The remedial rights of the Employer may thus be categorized, as
contractual and legal remedies.
Contractual remedies;
Legal remedies;
▪ Specific performance;
▪ Cancellation of contract;
▪ General damages;
▪ Other legal remedies, if any;
Contractual Remedies
a) Financial Remedy
Delay Damages
Clause 8.7 in relation to delay by the Contractor in completing the Works within the time for completion or as
extended;
This is equivalent to liquidated damages;
Indemnities
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Clause 15.4(c) in relation to payments (of the balance, if any) after termination of the Contract by the
Employer due to default of the Contractor;
Clause 11.4(c) in relation to failure to remedying defects by the Contractor;
b) Time Extension
Suspension
Termination
Legal Remedies
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Reference Materials
2. The Conditions of Contract for Building and Engineering Works Designed by the Employer: Multilateral
Development Bank (MDB) Harmonized Edition, March, 2006; FIDIC New Red Book
4. International Construction Contracts and the Resolution of Disputes, ICC-FIDIC Conference Paris, 2006,
Michael Martimer-Hawkins
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