As usage of the NEC (formerly the New Engineering Contract) family of contracts continues to grow worldwide, so does the importance of understanding its clauses and nuances to everyone working in the built environment. This set of contracts, currently in the third edition, is different to others in concept as well as format, so users may well find themselves needing a helping hand along the way.

Understanding the NEC3 Engineering and Construction Short Contract uses plain English to lead the reader through the contract’s key features, including:

• the use of early warnings
• programme provisions
• payment
• compensation events
• preparing and assessing tenders

Common problems are signalled to the reader throughout, and the correct way of reading each clause explained. In addition, the things to consider when deciding between the ECSC and the longer Engineering and Construction Contract are discussed in detail.

Written for professionals without legal backgrounds, by a practicing construction contract consultant, this handbook is the most straightforward, balanced and practical guide to the NEC3 ECSC available. An ideal companion for Employers, Contractors, Project Managers, Supervisors, Engineers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Subcontractors, and anyone else interested in working successfully with the NEC3 ECSC.

Kelvin Hughes spent 18 years in commercial management with major contractors, then the past 21 years as a consultant, including a four-year senior lectureship at the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales), UK. He has been a leading authority on the NEC since 1996, was Secretary of the NEC Users' Group for ten years and has run over 1,400 NEC-based training courses.