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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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Fines Imposed by the OFT Dramatically Slashed by the Competition Appeals Tribunal
In a landmark ruling by the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT), heavy fines imposed for cover pricing by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in 2009, have been significantly reduced. In its judgment, the CAT has cited proportionality among the reasons for its decision to reduce the penalties affecting a number of contractors, many of whom… Read More >
Crisis in Libya
Press reports over the weekend have reported on widespread anti-government protests taking place across Libya which have now spread to the capital Tripoli. This could result in a key market for British construction expertise turning into a financial and legal catastrophe. James Hutchinson provides some guidance on mitigating risks for constructions firms who are active… Read More >
Robinson v Jones
The case of Robinson v P E Jones (Contractors) Limited decided on 18 January this year considered the question of whether a claim in tort for negligence as well as a claim for breach of contract could be brought against contractors and highlights the different time limits for each type of claim. Its findings are… Read More >
Guidance on preventing bribery (Bribery Act 2010)
On 14 September 2010 The Ministry of Justice (“MOJ”) released a ‘Consultation on guidance about commercial organisations preventing bribery.' The consultation closed for public comment on 8 November 2010, with final guidance to be published early in 2011. The draft Guidance produced by the MOJ is not as extensive or definitive as many would have… Read More >
Law Reform Commission Report on Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Irish Law Reform Commission recently published a Report entitled “Alternative Dispute Resolution: Mediation and Conciliation”. The Law Reform Commission acknowledges the advantages of mediation and conciliation and has recommended that it be placed on a statutory footing to provide a clear framework for medaition and conciliation. Tara Cosgrove and Sean Carr have written a… Read More >
Legal Review of 2010
Beale and Company's Legal Review of 2010 which looks back at some of the significant cases of the year.
Cause for concern for surveyors of buy-to-let properties?
Scullion v Bank of Scotland plc (t/a Colleys) In Smith v Bush 1990, the House of Lords established that a surveyor valuing a “dwelling house of modest value” for a building society or local authority could owe a duty of care to the purchaser of the property if the surveyor was aware that there was… Read More >
Mediation and Conciliation in Ireland
Changes to the Rules of the Superior Courts Mediation and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) offer a relatively quick and speedy method of resolving disputes when compared to the alternatives of litigation and arbitration. Mediation and conciliation are now commonly seen in the dispute resolution provisions of professional appointments and other standard form… Read More >
No Privilege for Accountants
The Court of Appeal has confirmed that advice given by an accountant is not protected by legal professional privilege. Joe Eizenberg and Scott Ashby provide details of what this decision means for accountants. Location: UK
Solicitors’ Professional Indemnity Insurance Minimum Terms: Re-Introduction of Assigned Risks Pool
Last year the Assigned Risks Pool in Ireland was suspended. The intention at the time was to make the market more attractive for existing insurers and potential new entrants. Following discussions between the Law Society and insurers, the Assigned Risks Pool (‘ARP') is to be reinstated in slightly restricted form as from 1 December 2010.… Read More >