A Practical Approach to Conditions of Contract for Civil Engineering Works

This book provides a comprehensive commentary and guidance to readers on the current edition (1999 Edition) of General Conditions of Contract for Civil Engineering Works (the “General Conditions”), which the Government of HKSAR uses for all its civil engineering contracts. Though the General Conditions are described as for Civil Engineering Works, the book is also generally applicable to Building and E&M Works since the General Conditions for these various types of Works are very similar.

The book is suitable for students, young engineers as well as practitioners since its Commentary, Analysis and Applications, Questions (illustrated with photographs) and Answers are all written in plain English. The book is well organized and the systematic layout also makes it easier to read. The Chinese translation would also assist in the understanding of the difficult General Conditions.

For practitioners such as Government and consulting engineers, surveyors and also lawyers who want to understand more about the Hong Kong construction practice, the book can be utilized as a comprehensive reference. Apart from analyzing each clauses with due consideration of construction practice, the book refers to relevant legal cases and citations from authoritative text books such as those written by Mr. Max Abrahamson and Mr. Duncan Wallace.

The author, David Y. K. Leung, is a Member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrator. He has worked in the consultants and in the Government of HKSAR for more than 30 years and has spent most of his time in administering Civil Engineering contracts, particularly the last ten years in the Government as Contract Adviser for major highway projects. Then he has undergone two years legal training in a solicitor firm and has been admitted as a solicitor of High Court of HKSAR. He is now working as a Dispute Resolutiuon Adviser for several major Government contracts such as Tuen Mun Road Widening and Central Wanchai Bypass. He has also been a part time lecturer in Construction Industry Council and HKU Space and has been giving talks in seminars in the Conditions of Contract to many engineers and surveyors.

“The competitive landscape of the engineering field requires engineers, especially those who are just starting their careers, to possess a thorough understanding of contract management principles alongside technical knowledge. Ir David Leung’s book provides a solid foundation in exactly these essential areas. It is an important resource for young engineers!” —Leo Hei-yim Chan, Chairman (Session 2009/2010), Young Members Committee, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers