Sự hiểu sai phổ biến về hợp đồng, đặc biệt là các Điều kiện Chung của Hợp đồng FIDIC, là một trong những nguyên nhân chính dẫn đến tranh chấp. Những tranh chấp này hoàn toàn có thể tránh được nếu các bên có kiến thức và hiểu biết tốt về Hợp đồng xây dựng. Ngân hàng phát triển đa phương (Multilateral Development Bank) cũng hỗ trợ phát triển phiên bản Điều kiện Hợp đồng Xây dựng FIDIC, gọi là MDB Harmonised Edition.

Tranh chấp trong ngành xây dựng thường phát sinh do việc thiếu hồ sơ ghi chép kịp thời (contemporary records) và sự khác nhau trong cách hiểu và diễn giải hợp đồng. Cách tốt nhất để tránh tranh chấp và giảm thiểu tác động của nó là hiểu rõ các nguyên nhân cốt lõi dẫn đến khiếu nại.

Chủ đầu tư, với sự hỗ trợ của kỹ sư tư vấn và nhà thầu, cần duy trì hệ thống hồ sơ đầy đủ, có tổ chức và chi tiết để làm cơ sở hỗ trợ cho quá trình đàm phán trong cơ chế giải quyết tranh chấp thay thế (Alternative Dispute Resolution – ADR) hoặc cho quá trình kiện tụng. Hồ sơ khiếu nại cần được lập và trình bày rõ ràng để đảm bảo các bên, bao gồm cả thành viên hội đồng ADR, có thể dễ dàng hiểu và đánh giá.

Thông thường, các nguyên nhân chính dẫn đến khiếu nại xây dựng theo các hợp đồng sử dụng điều kiện FIDIC bao gồm:

• Lệnh thay đổi mang tính “constructive change order”
• Lệnh thay đổi/biến động (variation orders)
• Khảo sát hiện trường không đầy đủ
• Chỉ thị thay đổi bằng miệng từ chủ đầu tư
• Chậm bàn giao hoặc chậm cho phép tiếp cận mặt bằng
• Thay đổi thiết kế kỹ thuật
• Điều kiện địa chất và dưới lòng đất không lường trước
• Sự can thiệp hoặc chậm trễ từ các nhà thầu khác

Các hợp đồng FIDIC được cải tiến định kỳ nhằm giúp cả nhà thầu và chủ đầu tư bảo vệ quyền lợi của mình, tuy nhiên chỉ khi các bên tuân thủ nghiêm ngặt các yêu cầu của hợp đồng.

TÀI LIỆU THAM KHẢO FIDIC:

• FIDIC General Conditions of Contract for Civil Engineering Works
• FIDIC General Conditions of Contract for EPC/Turnkey Projects
• FIDIC General Conditions of Contract for Construction, MDB Harmonised Edition

Standard Letters and Notices in English use by the contractor (with comments)

 Summary of the standard letters and notices for use by the contractor under the conditions of contract for works of civil engineering construction fourth edition.

Agreement or objection to assignment by the Employer                                             1.1(a)
Request for written notification of the delegated powers of the engineer                 2.2
Dissatisfaction with an instruction of the Engineer’s Representative                       2.3(b)
Request for consent to sublet                                                                                            4
Request for clarification of ambiguity or discrepancy in the
Documentation and possible additional cost                                                                  5.2
Request for additional information, disruption of progress                                         6.3
Notice of delay in the issue of any drawing or instruction                                          6.4
Submission of design work for approval                                                                        7.2
Performance Security                                                                                                         10.1
Advice that performance security has been provided                                                   10.1
Notice of not foreseeable physical obstructions or conditions on site                       12.2/44
Notice of legally or physically impossible work                                                           13.1/55.1
Submission of program                                                                                                       14.1
Cash flow estimate to be submitted                                                                                 14.3
Request for reimbursement of costs in correcting inaccurate setting out data         17.1
Reimbursement for exploratory works                                                                            18.1
Letter advising of employers liability to insure the works after issue of
Taking-over certificate                                                                                                       20.1
Claims loss or damage in respect of employer’s risks                                                  20.43
Evidence and terms of insurance                                                                                      25.1
Notice of fossils, geological or archaeological interest                                                27.1
Claims for reimbursement of additional costs and extension of time                        27.1
Request for the reimbursement of costs associated with patent rights                       28
Notification of damage to a road or bridge on the route to site                                  30.3
Letter to engineer requesting payment for services provided                                     31.2
Return of labor and contractor’s equipment                                                                   35.1
Application for cost of samples                                                                                        36.2
Request for extension of time and cost reimbursement where tests not provided  36.5
Examination of work before covering up                                                                       38.2
Reimbursement of costs for opening up the works for inspection                             38.2
Disagreement with engineer instruction to remove improper work                           39.1
Notice of delay and additional cost arising from suspension of work                       40.1
Request for permission to proceed with suspended work                                            40.3
Notice to treat suspended work as omitted from contract                                            40.3
Confirmation of commencement of work                                                                       41.1
Proposals for commencement                                                                                           42.1
Application for extension of time                                                                                     44.2(a)
Detailed particulars of claim                                                                                             44.2(b)
Interim, final particulars of claim                                                                                     44.3
Request for permission to work night/weekend shifts                                                  45.1
Taking-over certificate                                                                                                       48.1
Taking over of sections or parts                                                                                       48.2
Clarification of works of repair                                                                                        49.2
Request for reimbursement of costs associated with the engineer’s
Instruction to search for the cause of a defect                                                                50.1
Confirmation of instruction                                                                                               51.2
Notification of varied rate                                                                                                 52.2
Notification of variations exceeding 15%                                                                      52.3
Day work record                                                                                                                  52.4
Monthly day work statement                                                                                            52.4
Notice of claim                                                                                                                    53.1
Substantiation of claim                                                                                                       53.3
Substantiation of claim continuing event                                                                       53.3
Assistance with customs clearance                                                                                  54.3
Assistance with re-export of constructional equipment                                               54.4
Consent for the removal of equipment from site                                                           54.1
Notice of disagreement / agreement with measurement records and drawings        56.1
 Objection to the nomination of a nominated subcontractor                                       59.2
Design liability under a nominated sub contract                                                           59.3
Proof of payment to a nominated subcontractor                                                            59.5
Notice of withholding payment to a nominated subcontractor                                   59.5
Monthly statement                                                                                                              60.1
Notification of non payment                                                                                             60.1
Release of retention money                                                                                               60.3
Statement at completion                                                                                                    60.5
Draft final statement                                                                                                           60.6
Discharge pursuant to clause 60.7 of the conditions                                                    60.7
Release of second half of retention money                                                                     60.3
Defects liability certificate                                                                                                62.1
Damage to work by special risks                                                                                      65.3
Increased costs arising from the consequence of a special risk                                  65.5
Request for an engineer’s decision                                                                                  67.1
Notices of contractor                                                                                                          68.1
Change of address                                                                                                               68.3
Notice of termination of contract                                                                                     69.1
Entitlement to suspend work                                                                                             69.4
Currency restrictions                                                                                                         71.1

Fidic Letter Use by Contractor

Fidic letter Use by the Engineer

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rqxGqUutR94f8kFRHJ0j_oOBXxOuzZ6N/view?usp=shari