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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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Building Safety Bill: Professional Indemnity Implications

Following the Grenfell tragedy and in response to the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety led by Dame Judith Hackitt, the Government published the draft Building Safety Bill (“the Bill”) in July 2020. The final version of the Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 5 July 2021 and will likely… Read More >
Fresh claims to arise as project delays double since pandemic

In Construction Law’s latest article, Partner James Vernon comments on the legal implications of delays to construction projects as a result of the pandemic, and discusses whether we are past the worst of issues such as rising claims, disputes and insolvencies, and if there likely to be COVID related claims still in the pipeline. This… Read More >
National Security and Investment Act 2021: Protecting the family silver or stifling investment in UK plc?

On 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

Background 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

In 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.

Society 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?

The 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?

Introduction 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?

Standard 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?

Introduction 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 >