Media release

New Edition FIDIC Users’ Guide launched by international authors in SA

Professional insights and practical solutions for the more controversial issues when
dealing with FIDIC contracts.

4 March 2014, Centurion - The FIDIC Users´Guide 3rd Edition has just been launched in
South Africa. The third comprehensively revised edition of the world-renowned Brian
Totterdill’s FIDIC Users´ Guide is a must have reference guide for construction engineers,
construction lawyers, contract managers, contractors, claims specialists developers, quantity
surveyors and local authorities - everyone dealing with FIDIC contracts. At a media
conference in Centurion the media were given insights into the new FIDIC Users´ Guide
from the authors. The viewpoint from the contractors and sub-contractors was presented by
Wayne Derksen, President of the Lephalale Chamber of Commerce.

Brian Barr, of Brian Barr Consulting Services in the UK, and Leo Grutters, co-founder of
GibConsult, the sponsor that brought the authors here, have more than 40 years’ in-depth
FIDIC experience. Both are members of the exclusive FIDIC President’s List of Approved
Dispute Adjudicators – there are only 59 worldwide.

Not only does this 1, 6 kg publication stimulate better contract administration, it highlights
accountability and addresses contentious issues with relevant conclusions on dispute
avoidance rather than dispute resolution.

The authors took into account newly published forms of contract, case studies, the increased
use of the 1999 FIDIC conditions of contract on construction projects into a more
international arena, and incorporated the current industry’s thinking and understanding of the
FIDIC terms and conditions, making the book an all-encompassing volume for readers. The
proper use of these standard forms of contract significantly reduces the inherent risks
contained within development projects.

Clear advice to practitioners on how to mitigate and avoid contractual problems, are
provided. Leo Grutters, co-founder of GibConsult, explains, “Over the years it became even
clearer that the day to-day users of FIDIC forms of contract were trapped within the
complexity of these forms of contract. This stems from predominantly a significant
interlinking of the various sub-clauses. The need for clarity and transparency was
established and the book aims at providing this for all users legally trained or not.”

Dr Cyril Chern, from the Dispute Board Federation, stated, “This work of reference brings
professional insights into and practical solutions for the more contentious and controversial
issues when dealing with FIDIC contracts.”

A one-day workshop was held in Midrand, on 3 March 2014 where delegates were shown
how to deal with the FIDIC Users’ Guide from a practical use requirement. The learning
included the often unknown or misunderstood pitfalls when using FIDIC contracts, the
contract administrative burden when using these contracts, how to correctly interpret some
of the more complex issues in FIDIC contracts.

Furthermore, it provides a Reference Guide to be used during a construction project for

construction engineers, construction lawyers, construction claims specialists, contractors,
developers, quantity surveyors, local authorities and everybody involved in or will be
involved in a construction project using or contemplating using FIDIC.

The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) and Consulting Engineers SA
(CESA) support the GibConsult South Africa initiative to bring these renowned specialists
and co-authors to South Africa for the benefit of their members and the broader contingent
that was already mentioned

The third edition of the FIDIC Users’ Guide is essential reading and is available from the
SAICE bookshop and can be ordered online at www.saice.org.za/book-store.

About FIDIC
The International Federation of Consulting Engineers or Fédération Internationale des
Ingenieurs Conseils (FIDIC), established in 1913, is the most important international
umbrella organisation of national associations of consulting engineers in the construction
industry.

The FIDIC contracts are standardised model agreements for international construction
projects and have become more important worldwide because in general they aim at a fair
balance of risk.

Photos:

Leo Grutters, Brian Barr, Wayne Derkson

FIDIC USERS´ Guide 3rd Edition

Contact:
GibConsult South Africa
Annette Müller
Business Manager
+27 (0)87 232 8715
Cell: 072 966 4866
amu@gibconsult.co.za

Marie Ashpole
Outreach Officer: SAICE
Tel: +27 (0)11 805 5947
Fax: +27 (0)11 805 5971
Cell: 082 870 9229
E-mail: mashpole@saice.org.za