NEC ECC: Terminology - Works and works

I am currently reviewing a document, prepared by the Employer, which I have been asked to review and comment on, with respect to its contractual correctness to NEC terminology and referencing.

  1. The document makes reference to both ‘Contract Data Part 1’ and ‘Contract Data Part one’.

Q: When referring to the Contract Data, is there a contractual correctness to the use of ‘1’ or ‘one’? There is a suggestion from peers that the use of ‘1’ would be a universal reference, however if referring to something specific, e.g. retention percentage, then this would give rise to the use of ‘one’?


  1. The document makes repeated reference to the ‘Works’ and ‘works’ (italicised). An example being, ‘waste arising during the Works’, and ‘damage caused during the works (italicised)’.

Q: I have scanned the NEC core clauses several times for single reference to the ‘Works’, and its use only appears in reference to ‘Providing the Works’ or ‘Works Information’. I believe this reference as a single term, i.e. ‘Works’ is incorrect, and that any reference made to works should be lower case italicised. Any further clarity on this would be greatly appreciated.

In answer to your question 1: The start of both Contract Datas use the words ‘one’ or ‘two’, so I would and do use the word rather than the number. I have no idea where the “suggestion from peers that the use of ‘1’ would be a universal reference, however if referring to something specific … this would give rise to the use of ‘one’” comes from.

For your question 2: you are right to use the word ‘works’ in italics, not ‘Works’ on its own.