Canada: The FIDIC International Standard Form Contracts: The Red Book

The use of a standard form of contract by which the parties' obligations and rights are predetermined can present several advantages. Standardized industry contracts generally provide for an equitable distribution of risk between the client and the contractor, offer familiarity to the parties, and, where permitted, may simplify the contract negotiation process

In Canada, the standard forms of contract developed by the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) are widely used and construction industry stakeholders are well aware of the respective duties and obligations of the parties to these contracts.

Internationally, the most predominately used standard form contracts are those published by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers ("FIDIC").

Established in 1913 by three national associations of consulting engineers, FIDIC now has members in more than 100 countries around the world and its mission is to promote and implement the strategic goals of the consulting engineering industry.

The three most well-known forms of contract from FIDIC are the FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Construction ("Red Book") which is used on projects that follow and design-bidbuild procurement model, i.e. where the contractor is to carry out the work in accordance with a design already developed by the client; the FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Plant and Design-Build (Yellow Book) for projects where the contractor designs and carries out the works in accordance with the client's requirements; and the FIDIC Conditions of Contract for EPC/Turnkey Projects (Silver Book).

This column endeavors to provide an overview of the duties of the Engineer under the general conditions of FIDIC Red Book (2017), and, to draw comparisons with the duties of the engineer (i.e. Consultant) under the Canadian CCDC-2 Stipulated Price Contract (2020), particularly as they relate to (1) the performance of the works by the Contractor; (2) claims for adjustments to the contract price or project schedule; and (3) qualification requirements.¹

(1) with regards to the performance of the works

As it relates to the performance of the works, the Red Book and the CCDC-2 each provide that the Engineer/Consultant is responsible to administer the contract and is deemed to act on behalf of the client ².

Both the Engineer and Consultant are called upon to interpret the requirements of the contractual documents relative to the performance of the works and to issue necessary clarification and instruction when necessary³ .

During the course of construction, the Engineer and Consultant are to review documents and drawings submitted by the Contractor ⁴; to provide instructions to the Contractor for the proper execution of the work⁵ examine and inspect the work carried out by the Contractor ⁶; and to evaluate the work performed and issue payment certificates ⁷ ; to

It is interesting to note that under the Red Book rules, the Engineer has a positive duty to warn the parties in advance of any known or anticipated circumstances that could adversely affect the progress of the project⁸ . This proactive duty represents a distinction from the letter of the CCDC-2 provisions, which do not provide such duty on the Consultant (although it may be implied under applicable law).

(2) with regards to claims for adjustments in contract price or time extension

As it relates to claims that may arise during the course of a project, the FIDIC Red Book rules impose a duty of neutrality and impartiality on the Engineer. When presented with a claim, the Engineer is required to encourage discussion and consult with both parties.⁹ If an agreement is not reached within the allotted time limit, the Red Book rules provide that the Engineer must rule fairly ¹⁰, and its decision must be made in accordance with the contract in light of all relevant circumstances¹¹

Such a duty of neutrality and of impartiality is similarly set out in the CCDC-2 contract, which provides that the Consultant should not be biased towards the client or the Contractor when making interpretations and findings on claims. ¹²

The determination made by the Engineer with respect to a claim is not final and either party may seek to bring the matter before the dispute avoidance/adjudication board in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions of the FIDIC Red Book. Similarly, under the CCDC-2 contract, the parties are afforded the right to submit their claim to mediation and ultimately to arbitration if they disagree with the Consultant's conclusions ¹³

(3) with regards to qualification requirements

Under the provisions of the FIDIC Red Book, the Engineer appointed by the client can either be a natural person or a legal entity. In the case that the engineer is a legal person, it must designate a natural person to act on its behalf under the contemplated contract. This is similar to what is provided under the rules of the CCDC-2 contract. ¹⁴

The provisions of the FIDIC Red Book, like those of the CCDC-2 contract, require the Engineer or Consultant to have suitable qualifications, experience and competence to carry out the duties provided in the contract.¹⁵

One particularity of the FIDIC Red Book is the requirement for the Engineer to be fluent in the ruling language of the contract¹⁶. Given the international vocation of its contracts, FIDIC does not define French or English to be the ruling language of the contract and therefore, it could necessary for the engineer to be fluent in another language.

In summary, the duties of the Engineer under the FIDIC Red Book are, in several respects, similar to those devolved to the Consultant under the CCDC-2 contract. However, consulting engineers should pay particular attention to their obligations and duties since the respective roles of the parties in the FIDIC contract, just like in CCDC-2 contract, must be analyzed according to the specifics of the project, all applicable contractual documentation including supplementary conditions, and in accordance with the governing law.

Footnotes

1 In subsequent columns, the authors will address the duties of the Engineer under the general conditions of the FIDIC Yellow Book and Silver Book and draw comparisons with those incumbent upon the Consultant under the design-build contacts of the CCDC.

2 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 3.2 and CCDC-2 clause GC 2.1.1,

3 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 1.5 and 3.7 and CCDC-2 clause GC 2.2.6

4 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 4.4 and CCDC-2 clauses GC 2.2.13 and GC 2.2.17

5 `FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 3.5, 4.12 and CCDC-2 clause GC 2.2.12 and GC 6.4.2

6 `FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 7.3 and CCDC-2 clauses GC 2.2.2

7 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 12.1, 12.3, 14.6 and 14.13 and CCDC-2 clauses GC 2.2.4, GC 5.3 and GC 5.5.

8 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 8.4

9 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 3.7.1

10 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 13.3.1.

11 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 3.7.2

12 CCDC-2 clause GC 2.2.8.

13 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 3.7.5 and CCDC-2 clauses GC 6.6.6 and 8.2.1

14 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 3.1

15 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 3.2

16 FIDIC Red Book (2017), Sub-Clause 1.4, 3.1 and 3.4

Originally Published by Canadian Consulting Engineer, May / June 2021 edition

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.