Autumn 2026 FIDIC Contracts Seminar Series
Howard Kennedy's International Construction team, in collaboration with Cornerstone Seminars, will present the Autumn 2026 FIDIC Contracts Seminar Series from 17 September 2026 to 5 November 2026. These 8 weekly online seminars will provide a focused and practical exploration of key issues arising under FIDIC contracts.
FIDIC Contracts Claims Masterclass
Howard Kennedy's International Construction team, in collaboration with Cornerstone Seminars, will present a FIDIC Claims Masterclass, an online workshop across 4 half-days from 7 to 10 December 2026. This will provide a focused and practical examination of how claims are made, managed, and defended under FIDIC contracts.
Spring 2027 FIDIC Contracts Seminar Series
Howard Kennedy's International Construction team, in collaboration with Cornerstone Seminars, will present the Spring 2027 FIDIC Contracts Seminar Series from 11 February 2027 to 1 April 2027. These 8 weekly online sessions will provide a focused and practical exploration of key issues arising under FIDIC contracts.
Variations Claims Under FIDIC: No Notice, No Payment? Lessons from UBC v WASA [2026] UKPC 2
Are the financial effects of a Variation subject to a Sub-Clause 20.1 [Contractor's Claims] procedure? The Privy Council’s decision in Uniform Building Contractors Ltd v The Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago [2026] UKPC 2[1] has reignited debate on one of the most contentious issues in FIDIC contracts: whether entitlement to additional money for variations depends on strict compliance with the claims procedure in Sub-Clause 20.1. The judgment delivers a stark message: under FIDIC Yellow Book lump-sum design and build contracts, variations with financial implications require a Sub-Clause 20.1 notice. Without it, even strong claims will fail, however
Zeroing In: FIDIC’s Carbon Management Guide
Sustainability has long been a headline ambition in infrastructure projects, but one that has often struggled to translate into enforceable obligations. FIDIC has responded to this challenge with the publication of its Carbon Management Guide (CM Guide) together with its Carbon Emissions Management (CEM) Guidance (CEM Guidance), launched in December 2025[1]. Building on and together with earlier carbon publications (including the Climate Change Charter[2] and the Carbon Management Framework[3]), collectively described by FIDIC as its unified carbon management ecosystem, these documents are intended to bridge the gap between global climate commitments and their practical implementation at project level[4]. Summary overview First things first:
Retention in FIDIC contracts: Is it time for a rethink?
In March 2026, the UK Government announced ambitious plans to prohibit the deduction and withholding of retention payments in construction contracts, as part of a wider push to tackle late payment and improve cashflow through the supply chain.[1] While this is still subject to consultation and implementation detail, the direction of travel is clear. For those using FIDIC forms of contract on international projects, this is a useful prompt to step back and ask a basic question: do we need retention, or are there better ways to achieve the same purpose? Retention in the FIDIC forms of contract The FIDIC
Concluding the 2025-2026 Series of FIDIC Contracts Seminars
Howard Kennedy’s International Construction team has successfully concluded its Autumn and Spring FIDIC Contracts Seminars Series, delivered in collaboration with Cornerstone Seminars. Both series offered an eight‑week exploration of key issues relating to FIDIC Contracts and dispute resolution.
The Prevention Principle and Notice Provisions in FIDIC Contracts: A Recap
This article examines the conflict between the prevention principle and FIDIC notice provisions. Traditionally, employers cannot enforce obligations causing delays, but modern contracts demand strict notice compliance. Recent cases favor enforcing notice regimes, even for employer-caused delays, sparking fairness concerns.
Design risk under FIDIC contracts: Navigating responsibilities and liabilities
Introduction The allocation of design risk is an important consideration for parties to construction contracts. Misunderstanding or misallocation of design risk can lead to significant time and cost overruns and ultimately to expensive disputes. This article explores how design risk is allocated under the FIDIC forms of contract and suggests practical strategies by which parties may mitigate design risk. What is design risk and why is its allocation important? Design risk refers to the responsibility for, and potential liability associated with the adequacy, accuracy, and completeness of the design for the works. It is about which party bears the consequences
Developments in Collaborative Contracting
Introduction The construction market is increasingly seeking out new ways to collaborate, to enable the participants to increase value and quality across projects. There are a variety of contract options designed to meet the needs of the contracting parties including the PPC2000 Project Partnering Contract 2000, the NEC4 Alliance Contract, TAC-1 Term Alliance Contract, and the FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract. FIDIC[1] are developing their own form of collaborative contract which is due to be released in 2026. What is Collaboration? Professor Mosey D. (2021) has described collaborative contracting as: "… a set of processes and relationships through which teams can
India is Building Bridges: Cross-Border Collaboration on Construction Disputes
India is cautiously opening its doors to global expertise. The Bar Council of India has announced amendments that allow foreign lawyers and law firms to practice in India within the prescribed scope. These changes have significant implications for international arbitration in the construction sector, where disputes often involve complex contracts and parties from different jurisdictions. Introduction In May 2025, the Bar Council of India enforced amendments[1] to its rules that allow foreign lawyers to represent clients in India within areas of foreign law, international law, and international arbitration matters; a development welcomed by the Law Society of England and Wales
Howard Kennedy plays key role in launch of the International Construction Arbitrators Association (ICAA)
ICAA, founded by Edward Corbett, offers a global list of specialist arbitrators for international construction disputes. Modeled on the LMAA, it promotes expertise, diversity, and next-generation professionals. The list is available at www.intcaa.org.
New International Construction Brochure
Our leading international construction team specialise in the avoidance and resolution of disputes arising in the construction and engineering sector. In addition, we advise on procurement, drafting and negotiating contracts. To find out more, download the brochure.
CONCLUDED: The 2026 Spring Series of FIDIC Contracts Seminars
Following the success of its Autumn 2025 series, Howard Kennedy’s International Construction team completed its first Spring 2026 online FIDIC seminars with Cornerstone Seminars, receiving excellent feedback for clear, practical, and engaging sessions that enhanced attendees’ understanding, skills, and day to day professional capabilities.
Celebrating Five Years of FIDIC 2017: A Practical Legal Guide
November 2025 marks five years since the International Construction team at Howard Kennedy LLP published FIDIC 2017: A Practical Legal Guide, which is praised for clarity, depth, and practical utility, becoming an essential resource for administering complex FIDIC contracts and avoiding disputes.
Claims resolution procedures in construction contracts
Claims are common in construction projects, but success depends on effective management and preventing disputes. Claims may arise from contract terms or breaches, while governing law affects interpretation and remedies. This article shows how FIDIC forms guide resolution, highlighting key differences between 1999 and 2017 editions.
Seminar: Introduction to International Arbitration in Construction & Engineering Disputes
Jo Clarke, in a webinar hosted by MBL Seminars, gives an introduction to international arbitration when used to resolve international construction and engineering disputes. It will include practical and tactical perspectives.
SOLD OUT: Autumn 2025 Series of FIDIC Contracts Seminars
From September to October 2025, Howard Kennedy’s International Construction team successfully delivered its first Autumn 2025 Series, comprising eight weekly online FIDIC seminars covering key topics. The sold-out series attracted professionals and received feedback for its depth, expertise, insight, and engaging interactive learning approach.
Red and Green should never be seen. Is it time for a rethink?
Prolongation costs are difficult to calculate, and the time and effort required may be disproportionate to the sum recovered. The Green Book contains a new mechanism for calculating prolongation costs. Could or should this mechanism be incorporated into the Red Book?
Who is writing your arbitration awards?
Arbitration can be expensive and time-consuming. Concerns have arisen over the quality of awards due to excessive copying, delegation, and AI use, potentially damaging credibility and trust in arbitration. Are standards slipping?