With the emphasis on creation of infrastructure in the country, India is seen as a massive market for construction activities, and with the growing importance of financial institutions and international bidders, the construction sector has become a very fertile ground for development of new and increasingly complex contracts. In this context, it is becoming increasingly important that engineers are not only technically sound but also possess basic skills in understanding and be able to critically examine a contract document regardless of which stakeholder (client, designer, contractor) they are working with.

Given that almost every action of an engineer is governed by contractual obligations, engineers need to understand legal and possibly financial implications of professional actions, and legal rights and obligations of the different stakeholders. The participation of international players, who may not be necessarily familiar with the Indian laws, only complicates the scenario. With increased diversity of dispute resolution forums and increasingly important role of domain experts in dispute resolution there is an increasing demand for technical experts familiar with the principles of legal processes.

This course is designed to create an awareness and improve understanding of contracts and contract-based construction processes. Starting with the basic terminology, and covering the life cycle of construction events, the course presents common challenges and mistakes that could obstruct successful completion of the contracts, or ultimately lead to disputes. The course is designed for students and engineers aspiring to effectively manage construction contracts and would also be useful for teachers in engineering colleges. The material will include a discussion of several case-studies and illustrative examples to facilitate understanding.

• Clarity in understanding and interpretation of contract documents
• Grasp of common mistakes which result into breach and termination of contract
• Skills and knowledge to explore possibilities of dispute resolution before resorting to law and court proceedings