Hong Kong Launches New NEC Professional Service Contract to Enhance Construction Collaboration

DEVB launches Hong Kong Edition of New Engineering Contract - Professional Service Contract

The Hong Kong Edition of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) - Professional Service Contract (PSC) was officially launched today (June 18, London time) at the NEC 2026 Annual Conference and Martin Barnes Awards Presentation Ceremony held in London, the United Kingdom. This is the third Hong Kong Edition of the NEC standard contract template released by the Development Bureau (DEVB), following its introduction of the Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) and the Term Service Contract (TSC) in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Speaking at the NEC Annual Conference, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, said, "The official launch of the Hong Kong Edition of the NEC - PSC today extends the collaborative approach advocated by the NEC to various types of engineering professional services. This marks the availability of a complete set of localised NEC contract templates in Hong Kong, which will benefit the overall development of the local construction industry."

The PSC is applicable to the appointment of engineering consultants or professional service providers for work covering engineering feasibility studies, design, project management, contract administration, site supervision, etc. This new contract template complements those previously launched for the ECC and the TSC, allowing the NEC collaborative philosophy to be consistently implemented across all stages of project planning, design, construction and subsequent maintenance, thereby forming a comprehensive contract system that meets the needs of Hong Kong's construction industry and promotes its sustainable development.

The NEC form upholds the philosophy of collaborative partnering, incorporating contractual mechanisms such as early warning of risks, compensation and defined action timetables, allowing contractual issues to be resolved effectively and enhancing project performance. The DEVB introduced the NEC form to public works projects in 2009, and it has since been adopted in more than 850 public works contracts with a total value exceeding HK$550 billion. Public organisations such as the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the MTR Corporation Limited have also adopted this form of contract.

Separately, several NEC-based infrastructure projects of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) competed for the Martin Barnes Awards this year. Among the approximately 80 global entries, the CEDD won five awards (see Annex). Presented by the NEC Users' Group under the Institution of Civil Engineers of the United Kingdom, the awards recognise organisations and projects worldwide for their outstanding performance in adopting the NEC form.

DEVB launches Hong Kong Edition of New Engineering Contract - Professional Service Contract Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DEVB launches Hong Kong Edition of New Engineering Contract - Professional Service Contract Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Home Affairs Department alerts public to attempted impersonations of Care Teams

A spokesman for the Home Affairs Department (HAD) today (June 18) alerted members of the public to beware of attempted impersonations of District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) for fraudulent purposes.

The HAD has recently been informed by an individual sub-district Care Team that some residents were visited by persons who claimed to be Care Team members, distributing blessing bags to an elderly person and requesting the elderly to sign unknown papers.

The spokesman reminded members of the public that they should remain vigilant when any request for visit by unknown persons, as well as unidentified calls or messages are received. If in doubt about the identity of the callers or visitors, please call 182 111 to verify the identity of Care Team members and volunteers, and obtain the Care Teams' contact information. In case of suspicious circumstances, please call the 24-hour Anti-Scam Helpline 18222.

Members and volunteers of Care Teams will wear Care Team uniforms and display Care Team member or volunteer Certificates of Identity for identification when providing caring services. Members of the public may visit the dedicated webpage on members of Sub-district Care Teams (www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/district_services_community_care_teams/subdistrictcareteams.htm) for the information of Care Team members and the contact information of their operating organisations.

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