Claim Procedures and Emplyer Reps’ action
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Sajid BalmaMember for 19 years 4 months
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We have a contract based on FIDIC Silver Book.
The Employer was in default of timely payments of our invoices to the extent that it lasted almost six months.
Unfortunately, we did not serve timely notices although it was discussed in weekly meetings and therefore documentary evidence is also not substantially supported.
Anyways, we put a hold on procurement & consequently engineering activities. We sent ER a notice to claim EoT & in the same letter said that, pursuant to sub clause 16.1, we have the right to suspend/terminate the Contract if the Employer fails to pay us within the stipulated period of remedying the default.
After a lapse of 3 weeks to our letter, we received a reply from the ER that since he has 42 days, after receiving any notice to claim, to assess the merits of the claim, therefore we have no right to suspend/terminate the contract and threatened us to continue with the works or the Contract would be terminated by the Employer.
My understanding is that, the ER is clubbing two different issues together. We have a claim that has to go through the procedures as outlined in the Contract but, he can not deny any of our right under a different provision of the Contract. The Claims can be dealt separately and must not constitute a denial of any of Contractor’s rights.
I would appreciate, if I get any comments on this subject.
Thanks for reading my post.
Regards
The Employer was in default of timely payments of our invoices to the extent that it lasted almost six months.
Unfortunately, we did not serve timely notices although it was discussed in weekly meetings and therefore documentary evidence is also not substantially supported.
Anyways, we put a hold on procurement & consequently engineering activities. We sent ER a notice to claim EoT & in the same letter said that, pursuant to sub clause 16.1, we have the right to suspend/terminate the Contract if the Employer fails to pay us within the stipulated period of remedying the default.
After a lapse of 3 weeks to our letter, we received a reply from the ER that since he has 42 days, after receiving any notice to claim, to assess the merits of the claim, therefore we have no right to suspend/terminate the contract and threatened us to continue with the works or the Contract would be terminated by the Employer.
My understanding is that, the ER is clubbing two different issues together. We have a claim that has to go through the procedures as outlined in the Contract but, he can not deny any of our right under a different provision of the Contract. The Claims can be dealt separately and must not constitute a denial of any of Contractor’s rights.
I would appreciate, if I get any comments on this subject.
Thanks for reading my post.
Regards
1 reply
Oldest first- 0Samer Zawaydeh ·Dear Sajid,
You are correct, the RE is mixing two issues here. You are advised to follow clause 16.2 "Termination by Contractor"
Please review the following clauses:
16.1. The RE has 42 days to send you evidence that they took the necessary action to satify their financial responsibilities.
16.2 Contractor can terminate if they do not receive the amount due under an Interim Payment Certificate within 42 days after the expiry of the time (56 days from submittal of the invoice). So 56+42 = 108 days (about 3 and half months). So you can send him another notice under this clause stating that you are terminating the Contract per this clause.
With kind regards,
Samer
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