This Practice Note examines the position under the 1999 editions of the Red, Yellow and Silver Books, the Gold Book 2008 and the Pink Book 2010. In relation to the 2017 editions of the Red, Yellow and Silver Books, see Practice Note: FIDIC contracts 2017—time and for a comparison of the FIDIC time provisions (albeit referencing the 2017 versions of the contracts) with the JCT and NEC contracts, see Practice Note: Comparison between JCT, NEC and FIDIC time and money events.

Time to complete the works (meaning, for the purposes of this Practice Note, the works under the Red and Pink Books, the design and works under the Yellow and Silver Books and the design-build phase under the Gold Book) is one of the key concerns in any construction project. The contractor is under two distinct obligations in relation to time:

1. •

   the obligation to complete the works within the time for Completion (or complete the design-build within the time for completion of design-build under the Gold Book), and

2. •

   the obligation to proceed with the works with due