Infrastructure conditions of contract
The ICE Conditions of Contract (CoC) were published by Thomas Telford on behalf of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), The Association of Consulting Engineers (ACE) and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA). The first edition was published in 1945 and the seventh and final edition was published in 2001.
The key characteristics of the original CoC were:
- Valuation by measurement.
- Engineering responsibility for design.
- Engineer as the impartial certifier and valuer.
- Engineers decision as the first stage of dispute resolution.
In 2009 the ICE Council formally endorsed the New Engineering Contract (NEC), first published in 1993, and ICE transferred its part in the ownership of CoC to ACE and CECA.
In August 2011, ACE and CECA relaunched CoC as the Infrastructure Conditions of Contract (ICC) a standard suite of forms of contract largely based on CoC.
ACE and CECA argued that part of the industry still used the CoC and wished to continue to do so and that they were unfamiliar with the NEC. They suggested that the ICC ‘…continue to offer the same reassurance, clarity and reliability that clients and suppliers are used to’. It is also compliant with the payment provisions of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Contracts Act 2009 which amended the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (the Construction Act).
The ICC is intended for use on infrastructure projects, not building projects. The ICC suite of contracts includes a number of different versions:
- Design and construction.
- Target cost.
- Ground investigation.
- Term.
- Archaeological investigation.
- With quantities.
- Measurement.
- Minor works.
- Partnering addendum.
A standing committee, the ICC Development Forum, which includes representatives from clients, consultants, contractors and other relevant sectors of the industry, will keep the contracts up to date.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Atkins v Secretary of State for Transport.
- Collaborative practices.
- Construction contract.
- Contract conditions.
- FIDIC.
- ICE Conditions of Contract.
- Institution of Civil Engineers.
- JCT.
- Latham Report
- NEC contract change management systems.
- NEC contracts - road development and management schemes.
- NEC early contractor involvement.
- NEC3
- Procurement route.
Featured articles and news
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Comments