Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

FIDIC definition

What does FIDIC mean? In legal practice, FIDIC usually means the suite of standard‑form construction and engineering contracts published by the International federation of Consulting Engineers (Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs‑Conseils), rather than the organisation itself. It is an industry term, not defined in legislation or case law. FIDIC contracts (commonly the Red, Yellow, Silver, Green, Gold, Blue and Emerald Books) are widely used on international infrastructure, EPC and design‑and‑build projects. Key legal features include the Engineer’s role as contract administrator and decision‑maker, detailed risk allocation, provisions on variations, payment, extensions of time and claims, strict notice and time‑bar requirements, and tiered dispute resolution using...

FIDIC Red Book 1999 (Construction): scope, structure, risk allocation, re-measurement, variations, payment, claims, termination, DAB process, liability, and the Engineer—practical overview for construction lawyers

Published by a LexisNexis Construction expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note reviews the FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Construction 1999, often referred to as the FIDIC Red Book 1999. A revised Red Book was released by FIDIC in December 2017—see Practice Note: FIDIC contracts—introduction to the FIDIC Red Book 2017 for guidance on that edition. In relation to the 1999 suite, see also Practice Notes: FIDIC contracts—introduction to the Yellow Book 1999 and FIDIC contracts—introduction to the Silver Book 1999.

For what type of project is the contract suitable?

The FIDIC Red Book 1999 is recommended for building and engineering works where the Employer (or its representatives) prepares most, or all, of the design. It is not appropriate where the Contractor undertakes the design—in such cases the FIDIC Yellow or Silver Book should be used instead. Like the other FIDIC forms, the Red Book 1999 is intended for international projects. The four key areas to consider when selecting which precise FIDIC contract to use are listed below, and when deciding which particular form to adopt, the principal matters to weigh include:

who assumes responsibility for the design
who supervises and oversees the Works
how the Contractor is to...

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Victoria Tyson

Howard Kennedy (acquired Corbett & Co.)

Victoria Tyson is a director and a specialist international construction lawyer qualified to practise in England and Wales and Hong Kong. She has dealt almost exclusively with international construction law disputes since 1998 and has extensive experience in all forms of construction and engineering dispute avoidance and resolution. She has particular expertise in complex international arbitration and specialist knowledge of the FIDIC forms of contract. Victoria has worked on large construction projects around the world including airports, ports, motorways, railways, bridges, dams, water supplies, hydropower stations, wind farms, mines, oil and gas plants, and pipelines. She has worked with many bespoke and standard forms of construction contract, including FIDIC, NEC, ICE, JCT, and HKIA. Recently, she partnered with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Training and worked closely with the ICE Law and Contracts examination panel to develop a new portfolio of...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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