Services Agreement 2017 Pdf: Fidic Client Consultant Model
Educational Report: FIDIC Client–Consultant Model Services Agreement (2017)
Overview
The FIDIC Client–Consultant Model Services Agreement (2017) is a standardized contract designed to structure professional services engagements between a client and a consultant in construction and related sectors. Produced by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), it aims to balance clarity, fairness, and international usability—helping parties manage scope, risk allocation, payments, intellectual property, liability, and dispute resolution in cross-border projects.
- The Flow: Employer signs White Book with Engineer → Engineer designs and issues tender documents → Employer signs Red Book with Contractor → Engineer administers the Red Book.
- The Conflict Clause: White Book Clause 1.3 states that if the White Book conflicts with the Construction Contract, the Construction Contract prevails regarding construction matters, but the White Book prevails regarding consultant payment. This creates a dangerous seam: What happens when the Contractor claims a variation that the Consultant must design, but the Employer refuses to pay the Consultant for that extra design? The 2017 White Book is silent—this must be addressed in Part II.
- Clause 3 (Administration): Introduces the Consultant’s Representative with clear authority, replacing the vague "Project Manager" concept of 2006.
- Clause 8 (Commencement and Delays): A major addition. It explicitly defines Suspension and Termination triggers for both parties. The 2006 version was silent on suspension by the consultant (e.g., for non-payment).
- Clause 11 (Claims and Disputes): Adopts the DAAB (Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication Board) system. For the first time, consultant disputes (e.g., unpaid fees, scope changes) can go to a standing DAAB, preventing the death-by-a-thousand-cuts of unpaid interim invoices.
- Clause 14 (Payment): Shifts from simple invoicing to a rigorous Application for Payment process, requiring the consultant to submit statements with supporting data. The Employer has 28 days to challenge—silence constitutes approval.
- Searchability: It allows for quick keyword searches during contract negotiations.
- Digital Collaboration: It can be easily annotated and shared between legal, technical, and procurement teams.
- Purchase the official FIDIC Client Consultant Model Services Agreement 2017 PDF from shop.fidic.org.
- Hire a lawyer experienced in FIDIC (not a general corporate lawyer) to draft the Particular Conditions.
- Spend 80% of your time negotiating Appendix A (Scope) and Appendix D (Remuneration) .
- Do not start work until the Consultant’s Professional Indemnity insurance (Clause 8) is verified.
- The Consultant is liable for their sub-consultants (geotech, traffic, environmental). The 2017 PDF requires the Consultant to flow down all contract terms to subs. Ensure Appendix B is fully executed.
The consultant must exercise the reasonable skill, care, and diligence to be expected from a professional consultant. fidic client consultant model services agreement 2017 pdf