NEC4 in practice

Compensation event log: using a CE register on NEC4

A CE register should show what needs action next, together with the evidence and contractual communication behind each entry.

Scope: Practical commentary on NEC4 ECC. Check the edition, selected options, Contract Data and amendments used on your project.

Use the register alongside the contract

Record the contractual event, awareness evidence, notification duty and date, reply, quotation, assessment and implementation. Distinguish potential, notified, assessed and implemented values.

The clause 61.3 period is normally eight weeks from awareness that the event has happened, subject to the exception for events the Project Manager should have notified. Check amendments before relying on a calculated date. Failure-notice and deeming procedures need separate entries.

Keep the fields connected

Give each entry a stable reference. Include the date, description, responsible person, supporting record links, contractual communication reference, status and next action. Keep a history of changes instead of overwriting the original account.

Check that dates, amounts and status fields have clear meanings. Separate a forecast from an agreed figure and a site observation from a contractual decision.

Existing Excel template

Download the existing Excel template.

Before using it on a live project, check its fields, formulas and date conventions against your contract. Do not treat a calculated alert, comparison or total as a decision on contractual entitlement. The template supports record keeping; the team remains responsible for notices, assessment and review.

Review the log with the commercial team

Check new entries, approaching deadlines, missing evidence and unresolved responses. Assign each next step to a named person. Retain the formal notice or decision separately and link it to the register.

Sources and further reading

Gather’s Record Management System helps teams organise the site evidence used in commercial reviews. See how Gather works.