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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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Spotlight on letters of intent again

In a follow up to a recent article on letters of intent Will Buckby and Andrew Croft of Beale and Company consider a more recent case that underlines the wisdom of their earlier advice to agree final contract terms as early as possible.
Reports from the courts – November 2012

Our latest round up of the court decisions of most relevance to construction comes from Will Buckby and Andrew Croft of Beale and Company, and includes an enforcement of a decision of an adjudicator who had ‘little grasp’ of the subject; and a case highlighting the need to draft indemnities properly. This article was first… Read More >
Even limits have limits

This is an extended version of Rachel Barnes’ article ‘Limitation of liability: Even limits have their limits’ which appeared in Building on 16 November 2012.
Guidance Note on HSE’s Fee for Intervention

The Health and Safety Executive’s (“HSE”) new cost-recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (“FFI”),came into force on 1 October 2012. What is FFI, how does it work and what should businesses be doing about it?
Once more unto the breach

The recent case of Ampurius NU Homes Holdings Limited v Telford Homes (Creekside) Limited considered the question of repudiatory breach – something that may occur more frequently in times of economic hardship, as the case illustrates.
Adjudicator’s Fee in the Event of an Unenforceable Decision

The Court of Appeal has held that an adjudicator’s fees were not payable because his decision was unenforceable on the grounds of breach of natural justice, overturning the TCC’s decision in Systech International Ltd v PC Harrington Contractors Ltd [2011] EWHC 2772.
RIBA Standard Conditions of Appointment for an Architect 2010 (2012 Revision)

The RIBA have now published in printed and electronic forms their 2012 revisions to the 2010 Agreements. The revisions are mainly directed at incorporating the revised payment provisions in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (“the Act”) which were the subject of RIBA’s Amendment 1 published in October 2011.
Consultants do not or should not undertake strict or absolute contractual obligations

Rachel Barnes explains why consultants should avoid taking on in their appointments a higher duty than reasonable skill and care, by reference to the facts in the recent case of Trebor Bassett Holdings V ADT.
Limitation and Irish Financial Services Claims

In February we reported on the Commercial Court judgment in Gallagher v ACC Bank, a mis-selling claim which raised important limitation issues for financial services claims. In a decision which brings (a little) more certainty to Irish limitation law and will be widely welcomed by financial institutions, financial advisors and their insurers, the Supreme Court… Read More >
Note on Practice Direction 51G

Note on Practice Direction 51G – Costs Management in the Mercantile Courts and Technology and Construction Courts – Pilot Scheme