More than 60 attend NEC workshop on ground conditions in Hong Kong

More than 60 construction professionals from client, contractor and consultant organisations took part in a face-to-face workshop in May 2023 on how NEC deals with unexpected ground conditions in Hong Kong.

Entitled ‘Evolution of ground condition claims arising out of Hong Kong’, the event was organised by the NEC Asia Pacific Users’ Group and was held at legal firm Pinsent Masons’ office in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Different approach NEC Users’ Group secretary Robert Gerrard moderated the workshop, which featured presentations by Pinsent Masons partners Dean Lewis and Bernard Ang. Lewis started by explaining how NEC contracts deal with physical conditions differently from traditional construction contracts.

Ang then outlined the key issues involved in the NEC compensation events procedure, including what physical conditions they cover, how they are assessed and what information needs to be taken into account.

The workshop concluded with an open discussion on common issues of unforeseen ground conditions in Hong Kong and how they would be fairly and expeditiously dealt with through the NEC compensation events regime.