---
title: "Contract documents, priorities, interpretation"
subject: "Engineering Professional Practice"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_8/engineering_professional_practice:contract-document-priorities-interpretation"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/contract-document-priorities-interpretation
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Contract documents, priorities, interpretation

Engineering Professional Practice · Chapter 4: Contract Management

- Asked in: 2071 Magh, 4 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/contract-document-priorities-interpretation
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/chapter-4

## Question

Define contract document. What are the priorities of contract documents? Explain the rules of contract interpretation.

## Short answer

A contract document is the set of all documents forming the agreement and read as one. Priority runs from contract agreement, acceptance, tender, particular conditions, general conditions, specifications, drawings to priced BOQ. Interpretation reads the contract as a whole, gives special over general and written over figures, and resolves ambiguity against the drafter.

## Answer

A **contract document** is the set of all documents that together form the agreement between employer and contractor and are read as one. They include the agreement, conditions, specifications, drawings and priced bill of quantities.

#### Priority of contract documents
When documents conflict, the higher one governs. A typical order is:
1. Contract agreement
2. Letter of acceptance
3. Letter of tender (bid)
4. Particular/special conditions of contract
5. General conditions of contract
6. Technical specifications
7. Drawings
8. Priced bill of quantities (BOQ) and schedules
9. Other documents listed in the agreement

The exact order is stated in the contract.

#### Rules of interpretation
- Read the contract as a whole, to find the common intention of the parties.
- **Special** conditions override **general** ones, and specific words override general words.
- Words in writing prevail over figures; typed text over printed.
- Ordinary meaning is given to words unless defined.
- If ambiguity remains, it is interpreted **against the drafter** (contra proferentem).
- Singular includes plural, and headings do not affect meaning.
- Applicable law of Nepal governs; the engineer clarifies, and unresolved matters go to dispute resolution (adjudication or arbitration).

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which document has highest priority?
   A. Contract agreement
   B. Drawings
   C. Priced BOQ
   D. General conditions
   Answer: A. Agreement comes first, then letter of acceptance, tender. (Key point: Priority)

2. Which prevails?
   A. General over special
   B. Special conditions over general conditions
   C. Both equal
   D. Drawings over agreement
   Answer: B. Specific overrides general. (Key point: Special vs general)

3. If words and figures conflict:
   A. Figures prevail
   B. Average
   C. Words prevail
   D. Contractor chooses
   Answer: C. Written words override figures. (Key point: Words vs figures)