NEC3 Professional Services Contract (PSC3): The Consultants' Perspective

Rachel Barnes

August 2011

A paper presented to the Society of Construction Law at a meeting in London on 8th March 2011

Rachel Barnes takes a critical view of the provisions of the PSC3 contract, taking a general look at the contract, its form and intention, before considering in detail five particular aspects: (i) The Key Dates provisions (ii) The status of the matters on the Risk Register (iii) the new provision concerned 'prevention' (iv) the bases for limiting liability and (v) the concept of 'Defects' and the obligation to put them right.

Introduction: the principles of the PSC3 contract - Key Dates - The Risk Register - Prevention - Limiting liability - Defects - Conclusion.

Rachel Barnes is a partner of Beale & Company LLP, solicitors, London and author of 'Professional Services Agreements: A Guide for Construction Professionals' (ICE Publishing, 2011)

Text 20 pages.