| 1-DAY CONFERENCE
Public Works Contracts 2025
Liquidated Damages & Delay Costs – Variations, Change Orders & Valuation of Works – Tender Evaluation & Pricing Strategies
Date: 18th June 2025
STREAMED LIVE FROM CMG STUDIOS
The Public Works Contracts Conference will explore critical issues such as dispute resolution, the role of the Project Board, and the Standing Conciliator in preventing conflicts before they escalate. Key discussions will also cover the responsibilities of the Employer’s Representative (ER), the complexities of liquidated damages, variations, and time extensions, as well as the growing trend of transferring design responsibility to contractors. With a focus on compliance, tender evaluation, and pricing strategies, this conference provides a vital platform for industry professionals to navigate the challenges of public works contracts effectively.
See below event programme for a full list of key topics to be covered on the day!
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Conference Chairperson & Opening Remarks
Martin Cooney, Partner and Head of the Byrne Wallace Shields LLP Construction Law Team
Dispute Resolution & Role of the Project Board
Speaker: Billy Morrissey, Chartered Engineer and Mediator / Conciliator, Past Chair Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Ireland Branch
- The role of the Standing Conciliator and its practical benefits.
- The effectiveness of the Project Board in preventing and resolving disputes.
- Encouraging early dispute resolution instead of formal conciliation.
Employer’s Representative (ER) Decisions & Responsibilities
Speaker: Robert Rooney, Partner, Mason Hayes and Curran
- The ER’s obligation to provide reasoning for determinations.
- Addressing impartiality concerns and ensuring fair treatment.
- The ER’s role in making contractors aware of changes and claim entitlements.
Liquidated Damages & Delay Costs
Speaker: Fiona Egan, Partner, Beauchamps LLP
- Whether liquidated damages must be proven to be claimed.
- The impact of a contractor submitting a zero or very low delay rate.
- Recovering overhead and indirect costs when valuing compensation events.
Programme Contingency & Time Extensions
Speaker: Padraig Godfrey, Senior Associate, McCann FitzGerald LLP
- Whether programme contingency should be drawn down progressively.
- The impact of employer claims being issued late in a contract.
- What documentation is required for a watertight extension of time claim.
Design Responsibility & Contractor Liability
Speaker: Gerry O’Sullivan, Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Barrister-at-Law & legal consultant with Mulcahy McDonagh & Partners (MMP)
- The growing trend of transferring design responsibility to contractors.
- The expectation for contractors to provide professional indemnity insurance for standard components.
- Addressing liability when poorly detailed designs lead to cost overruns.
Money and Delay Claims under the Public Works Contract
Speaker: Alan Brady, Barrister at Law, The Law Library
- Importance of keeping records
- Cause and effect
- Notices under clause 10.3 of Public Works Contract
- Claim particulars and level of back-up required
- Valuation of variations under clause 10.6 of the Public Works Contract
- Effect of clause 10.7.4 of Public Works Contract
- Concurrent employer/contractor delays
- Extensions of time and critical path analyses
Tender Evaluation & Abnormally Low Tenders in Public Works Contracts
Speaker: Patrick Kane, Partner, Phillip Lee LLP
- How to ensure a robust tender evaluation process from the start
- Dealing with abnormally low or abnormally high tenders
- Avoiding common pitfalls in standstill letters
Variations, Change Orders & Valuation of Works
- How variations are valued when section 2D of the Tender and Schedule is left blank.
- Contractor rights if an ER skips valuation steps (e.g., 10.6.1 to 10.6.4).
- Compensatory events and how contractor claims are assessed.
Who Should Attend:
This event would be very relevant to those involved in the whole public works contracts process or awarding public contracts. This includes government departments, local authorities, semi state agencies, consultants, contractors, engineers, housing developers, universities, as well legal experts, and service providers.
Pricing
EARLY BIRD 1 – €475 + VAT per Person
EARLY BIRD 2 – €495 + VAT per Person
Normal Rate – €575 + VAT per Person
Please note the early bird discount can close sooner than expected once a certain number of places fill up, therefore your prompt booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment.
CMG Events Conference Discount
- 10% discount for the third delegate booked or subsequent bookings thereafter from the same company.
Why Should I Attend?
There are many reasons why you should attend this event, but here’s a few for you to consider.
- Get the most up to date information on the Public Works Contract and how it impacts your projects
- You will get the rare opportunity to ask questions from renowned experts and experienced professionals on matters specifically relevant to you.
- Attend this event from the comfort of your home or office, while engaging and networking with others.
- Gain valuable CPD hours to add to your yearly requirements.
- Gain access to all presentations which may prove invaluable going forward.
- Watch and re-watch all video presentations in 4K for up to 72 hours after the event.
CPD Points:
There will be a certificate of attendance given to attendees after the conference. Please check directly with your association or awarding body to see how many CPD points they will award.
Book Your Place:
To request the conference agenda details with further information on schedule, timings, venue etc. Click Here
To secure your place please Click Here
Alternatively call The CMG Events team on 00353 (0)1 293 3650 or email bookings@cmgevents.ie |
