A professional body has been formed to develop the optimum model for the partnering contract form. UK architect John Wright, who chairs the group, insists that existing contract forms, including the New Engineering Contract (NEC), are far from perfect in setting guidelines for the partnering ideal that promotes co-operation and trust.
Wright believes that a lack of alternatives leads clients to choose the NEC as their guidline; these clients include the Channel Tunnel Rail Link builders.
It was reported in the UK construction press recently that the Construction Industry Council (CIC) had described the NEC as ‘predicated on conflict’ and a poor choice for partnering projects.
