NEC contracts

NEC contracts

About the NEC contracts

The NEC4 suite of contracts was published by the Institution of Civil Engineers on 22 June 2017. Some minor amendments were published in March 2019 (see News Analysis: Amendments to NEC4 contracts published), a second set of amendments was published in October 2020 (see News Analysis: NEC4 contracts—October 2020 amendments) and a third set was published in January 2023.

The previous suite of NEC contracts, NEC3, was published in 2005 and then revised in 2013 (see Practice Note: NEC3 contracts—April 2013 changes [Archived]).

For information about the key differences between NEC3 and NEC4, see Practice Note: NEC4 contracts—what’s changed? [Archived].

The NEC3 and NEC4 forms (together referred to as NEC contracts) are written in a different style of language and use different terminology to most other standard form contracts, and focus on good project management, co-operation and communication. The core principles are flexibility, simplicity and clarity and a stimulus for good management. For a glossary of NEC terms, see Practice Note: NEC contracts—glossary.

The contracts are designed to be flexible so that they can be used for all types of

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Construction News

MHCLG publishes guidance on the terms of reference for the Building Control Independent Panel

The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), following the announcement of the membership of the Building Control Independent Panel has published the Terms of Reference. The terms set out the scope of the work for the delivery of a review.

JCT announces conclusion of latest new edition and forthcoming publication of TCC

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) announced the latest addition to the JCT contract suite, the JCT Target Cost Contract, and concluding the publication of all documents within the JCT 2024 Edition. The documents will include a main contract, sub-contract, and their respective guides, which will be released on 25 June 2025.

Breach of good faith obligations, claims for loss of chance, and causation (Matière v ABM)

Construction analysis: The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) dismissed a £19m counterclaim for loss of chance on the basis that causation could not be proven on the balance of probabilities.

Construction law—a look at 2025 so far and ahead to the end of the year

Construction analysis: In this article, we look back on the key developments in construction law that emerged in the first half of 2025, and look ahead to what may come in the remainder of the year.