ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the provisions of the NEC4 Professional Services Contract and makes any relevant comparisons to the Royal Institute of British Architects Standard Professional Services Contracts. The NEC4 suite, like this form of contract generally, espouses the concept of modern project management, collaboration, frequent communication, and the early identification of risk. These concepts will be familiar to Architects but do entail greater resource and administration than other forms of construction contract. The NEC4 Professional Services Contract is intended for use for a wide range of professional services including Architects, Designers, Project Managers, Supervisors, and other Consultants. The Consultant provides to the Client the documents which transfer these rights to the Client’. The financial consequences of any termination should be worked out and assessed before the contract can be agreed, particularly for provisions that allow the client to terminate the Consultant’s obligations 'at will' without having to evidence default.
