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Our lawyers contribute regularly to industry and legal journals in addition to writing legal briefings, newsletters and case reports for clients and contacts. All of our articles are free to read and download here.
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National Security and Investment Act 2021: Protecting the family silver or stifling investment in UK plc?
January 2022On 4 January 2022, the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (“NSI”) entered into force. The NSI provides the UK Government with powers to scrutinise acquisitions and investments where the target operates in areas which could give rise to national security considerations. The new legislation is nothing short of a sea change for the regulation… Read More >
Building Safety: New Plans for Low Rise Buildings Unveiled
January 2022Background On 10 January 2022, the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (“DLUHC”) published a letter to the residential property industry to propose a fully funded plan of action for the remediation of unsafe cladding on low rise residential buildings. What will be required of residential property developers? The… Read More >
The year ahead in construction – 2022
January 2022In her latest column for Building, Sheena Sood previews what 2022 will hold for the construction industry from a legal point of view, from the Building Safety Bill, the “hard” insurance market and climate change to flourishing new technologies and innovation. This article was first published by Building in January 2022. Click here to read… Read More >
Directors’ and Officers’ Accountability for ESG Compliance and Performance.
January 2022Society sees it as a great injustice when individuals who are in control of a wrongdoing entity get away, seemingly scot-free, from their company’s failure or misconduct. The Government’s answer to this perceived injustice is more legislation and regulation to ensure that those at the frontline in managing risk, are held individually accountable for wrongdoings.… Read More >
Does a Duty of Care Arise when an Accountant is Acting as an Introducer?
December 2021The answer to the question posed is unfortunately, of course, highly fact specific. However, the recent High Court case of Knights v Townsend Ltd [2021] EWHC 2563 (QB), provides some useful guidance to practitioners as to when such a duty is or is not likely to arise. We discuss the facts of the case and… Read More >
Transforming Public Procurement: Transformational or tinkering at the edges?
December 2021Introduction Following Brexit and the end of the transition period under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, the UK is no longer required to observe the EU Directives on Public Procurement. HM Government has been swift to signal its intention to move towards a simpler regime that is more flexible and better able to deliver value for… Read More >
Building Design Partnership Ltd v Standard Life Assurance Ltd: Extrapolated Claims – an Abuse of Process?
December 2021Standard Life Assurance Ltd (SLA) the developer of a mixed-use retail and residential development, brought a claim against Building Design Partnership (BDP) who acted as the contract administrator and leader of the design team. The claim was for damages for negligence and breach of contract, specifically in relation to 3,604 variations for which BDP were… Read More >
ORR market study on signalling projects: Green-lighting competition or railroading innovation?
December 2021Introduction On 8 November 2021, the Office of Road and Rail (“ORR”) published its long-awaited market study report. The ORR is aiming to take measures to open up the railway signalling market. It wishes to allow Network Rail (“NR”) to boost competition between suppliers on cost, quality and innovation, and drive greater efficiency and performance… Read More >
Revisions to the UK Auditing Standard on Fraud (ISA (UK) 240)
December 2021On 27 May 2021 the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) issued a revision of its UK auditing standard on the responsibilities of auditors relating to fraud (ISA (UK) 240). The revisions are consistent with the government’s proposed changes within their white paper “Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance” and aim to bring clarity in relation… Read More >
Full speed ahead!: Litigation picks up steam but HS2 contract keeps on rolling
December 2021The Government is set to announce the award of a £2.8 billion train manufacturing project to an Alstom / Hitachi consortium as part of the controversial HS2 project, according to The Times. The award is likely to go ahead, despite a legal challenge from Siemens, which had tendered unsuccessfully. Siemens argued that the Alstom /… Read More >