Overview

This course provides a practical, comparative overview of the standard forms of Professional Services Agreements (PSAs) used across South Africa’s built environment sector. Participants will explore agreements published by leading bodies including CESA, FIDIC, CIDB, NEC, PROCSA, and SAIAT, gaining the insight needed to confidently compile, vet, and conclude PSAs aligned with industry standards and statutory guidelines.

Why Should an Individual Attend?

• Gain Cross-Industry Insight. Understand and compare PSA frameworks from CESA, FIDIC, CIDB, NEC, PROCSA, and SAIAT—essential for multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Enhance Legal Confidence. Build foundational knowledge of contract law principles that underpin professional appointments and protect both parties.
• Master Agreement Types. Learn to draft and differentiate between five key PSA formats, including Joint Venture and Pre-bid Agreements.
• Align with Statutory Standard. Ensure compliance with scope and structure guidelines from SACAP, SACPCMP, ECSA, SACLAP, SACPVP, and SACQSP.
• Strengthen Professional Credibility. Equip yourself to produce high-quality, vetted agreements that reflect best practice and ethical standards.
• Develop Custom Templates. Create tailored PSA documents for your organization, improving consistency and operational efficiency.
• Prepare for Real-World Scenarios. Gain practical skills to conclude PSAs post-bid or appointment, with confidence and clarity.

Outcomes

At the end of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand the five key types of PSAs: Standard Client-Consultant Agreement, Short Form Agreement, Joint Venture Agreement, Sub-Consultancy Agreement, Pre-bid Agreement.
• Be equipped to draft and evaluate PSAs in alignment with the mandates of the six professional councils under the Council for the Built Environment (CBE):
  
  • South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), established by the Architectural Profession Act, 2000.
  • South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), established by the Project and Construction Management Professions Act, 2000.
  • Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), established by the Engineering Profession Act, 2000.
  • South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession (SACLAP), established by the Landscape Architectural Profession Act, 2000.
  • South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession, established by the Property Valuers Profession Act, 2000.
  • South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession, established by the Quantity Surveying Profession Act, 2000.
• Apply statutory and recommended guidelines to define scope, structure payments, and ensure legal compliance.
• Develop and refine company-specific PSA templates for consistent use.

Program Outline

• The various professions under the CBE
• Fundamental concepts of Contract Law
• Components of a Professional Services Appointment
• Conditions of Contract of a Professional Services Agreement
• Scope of Work based on statutory guidelines as published by SACAP, SACPCMP, ECSA, SACLAP, SACPVP, SACQSP and as recommended by others such as PROCSA, CIDB and SAIAT
• Payment Schedule
• Development of standard company templates for Professional Services Agreements
• Vetting and quality control of a draft Professional Services Agreement
• Concluding a Professional Services Agreement after award of bid or appointment

Who Should Attend?

• Engineers
• Architects
• Project / Construction Managers
• Quantity Surveyors
• Construction Health and Safety
• Contractors / Sub Contractors
• Executives / Senior Management
• Middle Management
• Administrators / Support Staff
• Others: Consultants, Lawyers, Legal Counsel; Professional Indemnity Insurers, Arbitrators