NEC4: A practical guide to the Professional Service Contracts

Patrick Waterhouse
Emerald
Emerald

This book can be opened with

Glassboxx eBooks and audiobooks can be opened on phones, tablets, iOS and Android devices

Paperback / softback
9781807913496
07 December 2026
£60.00
Available to order on 07 November 2026
eBook (PDF)
9781807913465
07 December 2026
£60.00
Available to order on 07 November 2026
eBook (ePub)
9781807913489
07 December 2026
£60.00
Available to order on 07 November 2026

Note on our eBooks and Audiobooks: you can read our eBooks (ePUB or PDF) and listen to audiobooks on the free Emerald Books app on iOS, Android, and desktop. Or read and listen on Emerald's online reader (ePUB eBooks and audiobooks only). To purchase a digital book you will need to create an account if you don’t already have one. After purchasing you will receive instructions on how to get started.

  • Description
  • Contents
  • About

NEC4: A Guide to the Professional Service Contract is a practical guide to using the NEC4 Professional Service Contract (PSC). Closely related to the other NEC4 contracts, the PSC contains familiar terminology such as early warnings and compensation events. But it differs significantly form the construction and other service contracts because it is used to procure and manage a professional service. Such services are often intangible and not capable of being described in the scope in the same way that physical building and engineering works can be.

This book explains how to work with the PSC, the effect that its main and Secondary Options have on the parties. The role of the Service Manager is key to the success of any service contract and is explained with the obligations for the Consultant and the Client. The book follows the structure of the contract explaining in clear terms what each participant needs to do, and why. Examples of real life situations are used to illustrate and explain the contract’s procedures.

This book is essential reading for those working with the PSC throughout the lifecycle of a service contract from initial procurement and negotiation through to service delivery, completion and – where necessary – termination and dispute resolution. This book will help consultants, engineers, project managers, surveyors, architects, lawyers and claims consultants with their work.

Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Chapter 2: Structure of a PSC Contract and contract documents
  • Chapter 3: Secondary Options
  • Chapter 4: Who’s who?
  • Chapter 5: General Obligations
  • Chapter 6: The Consultant’s Main Obligations
  • Chapter 7: Time and Programme
  • Chapter 8: Quality Management
  • Chapter 9: Payment
  • Chapter 10: Compensation Events
  • Chapter 11: Rights to material
  • Chapter 12: Parties’ Liabilities, Insurance and Limiting Liability
  • Chapter 13: Termination
  • Chapter 14: Resolving and avoiding Disputes
  • Chapter 15: The NEC4 Professional Service Subcontract
  • Chapter 16: The NEC4 Professional Service Short Contract
  • Chapter 17: Amendments to the Standard Form PSC

Patrick Waterhouse CEng FICE FCIArb FCInstCES MRICS is a construction adjudicator, expert determiner, expert witness and mediator. He is a chartered civil engineer and chartered surveyor. He is a member of 14 dispute resolution panels and has resolved disputes under the NEC4 contracts including the PSC. Earlier in his career he managed professional service contracts.