Publications

When non-payment becomes an issue, often the first response is to suspend services or withhold work done. Noreen Smyth questions this response in light of the judgment in Trant v McDonald.

Claire Mc Carry discusses the ‘contra proferentem’ rule, and the importance of choosing carefully when to rely upon it.

John Doherty details the lessons which can be learned from last year’s ruling in the MT Højgaard AS v E.ON Climate and Renewables UK Robin
Rigg East Ltd case.

James Sargeant, in light of construction being named the second largest sector prone to labour exploitation, discusses how unfair contracts contribute to the issue of modern slavery.

Claire Gradon considers how the recent judgements in the Word Perfect Translation Services Ltd v Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform cases need be carefully considered by contracting authorities and tenderers alike.

Procurement corruption remains a problem in construction. Edward Quigg explains the policies companies should have in place to guard against … Continue reading “11 ways construction firms can prevent procurement corruption”

Is Adjudication a dirty word? Stephen McKenna analyses why contractors are reluctant to use adjudication to resolve disputes.

In an uncertain economic climate, and with tighter statutory regulations looming post Grenfell and Carillion, construction clients are demanding much greater cost certainty. Contractors need to be careful, writes Mike Wing in the Construction Manager magazine.

Following on from the International Academy of Mediators in Edinburgh, James Golden recognises the challenges faced and the important role played by mediators in what can be a very difficult process.

If retentions are outlawed, how might a bond system work – as an alternative way of ensuring contractors complete their obligations on construction projects? Stefan Berry looks at a recent case.

With employers and main contractors holding payments back from subbies, and in light of the problems at Carillion and other major players in the construction industry, James Sargeant explains how Stat Demands may be part of the solution.

When a bidder is told it has lost out on a tender, it can sometimes feel aggrieved and seek to challenge the process.  Edward Quigg takes a look at how tenders are evaluated and how this process can lead to challenges

James Sargeant discusses a recent case of Wylde & others v Waverley Borough Council [2017] EWHC 466 and procurement challenges.

The starting point for any discussion about amending contracts post award is the case of Pressetext, C-454/06.  In this case, the European Court of Justice set out that changes in a contract after its award could trigger the need for a new competition.  In other words, that contract would be annulled.

Contract is just another word for agreement.  Therefore, our contracts should reflect what it is we both intend to do.  This is so blindingly obvious that it constantly blinds people.