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NEC4 8-Week Time-Bar Calculator

Missed a compensation event notification and not sure if you're still in time? Under clause 61.3 of NEC4, you have eight weeks from the date you became aware an event happened to notify it, or you lose your entitlement to time and money, unless the Project Manager should have notified it themselves. Enter the date you became aware below and we'll work out your exact deadline, how many days you have left, and whether you're safe, at risk, or already time barred.

The NEC4 8-week time bar (clause 61.3): the Contractor must notify a compensation event within eight weeks of becoming aware that the event has happened, or the Prices, Completion Date and Key Dates are not changed, unless the event arose from the Project Manager's own instruction, notification, certificate or decision.

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Clause 61.3, NEC4. Guidance only, not legal advice.
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does the 8 weeks run from when the event happened, or from when I found out about it?

From when you became aware that the event happened and that it's a compensation event under the contract, not from the date the event itself occurred. If you didn't realise straight away that something was a compensation event, the clock starts when you did realise, not before.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Under clause 61.3, the Prices, the Completion Date, the Key Dates and any Condition for a Key Date are not changed. In practice, that means you lose your entitlement to be paid or given time for that event, in full.

Is there any exception to the time bar?

Yes. If the compensation event arises from the Project Manager or Supervisor giving an instruction or notification, issuing a certificate, or changing an earlier decision, the time bar does not apply, because the PM already knows about it.

Is this legal advice?

No. This tool gives guidance based on clause 61.3 of the standard NEC4 wording. Always check your specific Contract Data and, if a deadline is close or in dispute, take advice from your commercial or legal team.

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