Introduction
Every day significant monies are made and lost by organizations as a result of the contractual terms and conditions governing contracts for the purchase of goods, equipment, and services. Since all business activities are governed by contractual relationships, it is increasingly important for all those dealing with outside organizations to have an understanding of how to obtain the best possible agreement for their organization.
The course will look at how contracts are created, and some of the main clauses that appear in contracts, together with a number of alternative contracting strategies and structures. The course will then consider methods to be used in negotiating contracts, including techniques relating to negotiating on variations and claims. The course will deal with day to day commercial issues arising from business agreements written in the English language but will use techniques which have wide application to many types of contract in many countries.
Course Objectives of Essentials of Contracting
- Provide an understanding of how contracts are formed
- Give in depth analysis of issues behind major contract clauses
- Improve appreciation of legal issues in contracts
- Enhance understanding of different contracting strategies and structures
- Develop new skills in negotiation of contracts and disputes
- Increase understanding as to how and why disputes arise
- Learn how to transfer risk through different contract types
- Explain how to use contract provisions to reduce the risk of disputes
Course Process of Essentials of Contracting
Training will involve a high level of interaction and delegate participation. The intention is that the trainer will explain issues, using real examples, but will then involve the delegates in the discussion, using the information provided. There will also be sessions on negotiating, where delegates will work as teams to seek to agree on disputes in realistic scenarios.
Delegates are encouraged to bring real problem examples with them, for discussion on a confidential basis, and to share their experience of particular issues in their company or industry.
Course Benefits of Essentials of Contracting
- Delegates will be introduced to some of the latest international practices in contracting strategy and dispute resolution and shown how to build such practices into their contract documents
- Professionals should have more confidence in discussing issues with lawyers or with the other parties to contracts
- A better understanding of legal and practical issues will allow the more effective management of external legal and other resources
- Non-lawyers will find it easier to instruct and work with specialist lawyer colleagues, improving the performance of both parties
- Dispute avoidance skills will be enhanced, as will the ability to manage such disputes as do arise in an effective manner
Course Results of Essentials of Contracting
- Expanding the expertise of personnel involved in developing contractual strategies, negotiating contracts and claims
- Improve supplier performance in providing fair and reasonable prices for an on-time high-quality scope
- The total cost of ownership should be reduced
- Contracts should better reflect the commercial and other aims of the business
- Contract negotiations should be more structured and focused on business goals
- Disputes should be reduced, and those that do arise should be settled more quickly, with less cost, delay, and disruption
Core Competencies of Essentials of Contracting
- Negotiating skills and techniques
- Developing contract strategies and structures
- Understanding contract issues
- Analyzing and drafting contract clauses
- Resolution of claims and disputes
- Risk Analysis
- Commercial awareness of pricing and performance issues
Course Outlines of Essentials of Contracting
Day 1: How contracts are formed
- The reasons for using contracts
- Basic principles in contract formation
- Examples of formalities for contract formation
- The use of written or oral contracts
- Authority to sign a contract
- Basic contractual structures
- Use of different types of contract for different business models
Day 2: Main contract provisions and associated issues
- Scope of work
- Force majeure
- How to deal in volatile market conditions
- Delivery and acceptance
- Termination and suspension
- Warranty
- Selecting the appropriate law to govern the contract
- Entire agreement
Day 3: Changes and Variations
- Changes to the contract
- Scope variations
- Use of variations clauses
- Evaluating scope changes
- Extensions of time
- Disruption
- Changes in sequence and timing
- Controlling and managing change
Day 4: Contractual Documents and Payment Issues
- Letters of Intent and Award
- Bonds
- Progress Payments
- Parent Company Guarantees
- Use of commercial standard documents
- How contracts end
- Suspension and Termination
- Types of damages
Day 5: Dispute Resolution
- Avoiding disputes
- Recognizing disputes when they arise
- Contract clause to encourage negotiation
- Third-party dispute resolution
- Courts
- Arbitration
- Alternative methods – including mediation
- Post review and analysis
About Dubai
Dubai, located on the Persian Gulf, is one of the seven United Arab Emirates and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The discovery of oil in the region has made Dubai extremely wealthy, allowing it to build the glittering skyscrapers that it is now famous for. That wealth is strongly in evidence in Dubai and visitors will see luxurious buildings and supercars aplenty. Perfect beaches and endless shopping opportunities are to key to Dubai's attractions. Flights to Dubai open up the city's cultural attractions to tourists, with beautiful mosques, museums and art galleries scattered throughout this ultra-modern metropolis.
Things to do and places to visit in Dubai
Dubai's wealth has made it famous for building ever taller buildings and creating artificial islands off its shores. The city's hotels are luxurious and shoppers will love its extensive shopping malls which showcase all the world's top brands. Dubai's attractions don't end there. Dubai also caters to adventure lovers, who can jump in a 4x4 or on a board to speed over dunes outside the city. Local culture mustn't be forgotten either, and visitors have wonderful mosques to visit and old districts to explore. All that combined means that a flight to Dubai is sure to lead to an unforgettable holiday.
When visiting Dubai, be sure to:
- Go to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
- Admire the intricately beautiful Grand Mosque, which has the tallest minaret in the city.
- Understand the local history and culture with a visit to the Dubai Museum.
- Discover objects from the 6th century at Jumeirah Archaeological Site.
- Go skiing – That's not a joke, the Mall of the Emirates houses a snowdome.
- Go shopping at the Mall of the Emirates or the Dubai Mall.
- Explore the desert surrounding the city – either by 4x4 or atop a camel.
- Eat fantastic seafood at Dubai Marina.
- Cool off at the Wild Wadi Waterpark.
- Marvel at gorgeous Arabic calligraphy at Jumeirah Mosque, the biggest in the city.
- Take a yacht tour around the artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah.
- Haggle for souvenirs in one of the city's souks.
- Wander around the traditional building in Bastakiya District.