Resources

A selection of reference material and practical guidance for Clients and Contractors working under the main South African and international forms of construction contract.

Forms of Contract

Our principal works daily with the following standard forms. Each has its own notice periods, claim procedures and payment provisions, and early familiarity with them helps to avoid disputes.

• FIDIC – international conditions of contract, including the Red Book for works designed by the Employer
• JBCC – the Joint Building Contracts Committee suite for building works in South Africa
• GCC – the General Conditions of Contract for Construction Works, widely used on civil engineering and public-sector projects
• MBSA – the Master Builders South Africa subcontract agreements

Industry Bodies and References

These organisations publish the contract documents, regulations and guidance that govern construction work in South Africa. Links are provided for reference only.

• Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) – cidb.org.za
• South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP) – sacqsp.org.za
• Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) – asaqs.co.za
• South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), publisher of the GCC – saice.org.za
• Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) – jbcc.co.za
• International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) – fidic.org

Practical Guides

Short, practical guides on the contractual issues our clients raise most often. Each guide is available as a free PDF download.

• Notices and time bars: key deadlines under FIDIC, JBCC and GCC (PDF)
• Preparing a claim for additional time and cost (PDF)
• Managing variations and site instructions (PDF)
• Closing out the final account (PDF)
• Monthly cost control and reporting checklist (PDF)

Downloads

Company documents for procurement, tender submissions and supplier registration.

• Company Profile 2026 (PDF)
• Capability Statement (PDF)
• B-BBEE Certificate (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

When should we bring in a contract consultant?

As early as possible, ideally at tender stage. A contract review before submission allows risks to be priced or qualified, and sound administration from the start keeps notices and claims within the contractual time limits.

Do you act for Clients or Contractors?

Both. Our advice is grounded in the conditions of contract and the facts of each project, and aims for a fair balance between the parties.

Where do you work?

We are based in Pretoria and support projects across South Africa. Our principal also has cross-border experience in Namibia and Zambia.