Engineering and Construction La and Contracts

Abstract

his book was written to provide an up-to-date compendium of information on engineering and construction law and contracts. The material is presented from the perspective of how legal issues affect engineering and construction professionals on a daily basis in their careers. Examples and case studies illustrate how engineers and constructors could become involved in the legal affairs of their profession early in their careers. Although there are numerous books available that cover the legal aspects of engineering and construction, many of them mainly address construction contracts rather than focusing on legal issues that affect engineers and constructors. This book is unique because it was written from the perspective of practicing engineers and constructors with minimal use of legal terminology. If legal terms are used, they are explained using common vernacular rather than legal textbook definitions. The author has taught law courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level and adapted the material to reflect the background of students majoring in engineering and construction rather than law. Each year at least one of the engineering or construction students chose to pursue a degree in law after completing their engineering law courses; they are now practicing lawyers or owners of engineering, construction, or legal firI:f1s. This b'ook is' divided into four parts. Part One has eleven chapters that focus on engineering and construction laws as they pertain to practicing engineers and constructors. These chapters conr court proceedings; labor and environmental laws that affect engineering and construction projects, including Leadership in Energy and the Environment (LEED) and sustain ability practices and legislation; professional ethics; whistle-blowing; professional registration; agency relationships; negligence and tort liability; real property, including forms of ownership of real estate; and forms of ownership of comp