More Comment – Page 405
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CommentHansom: That’s entertainment
On show this week: posh parties at the Lord Mayor’s pad, political theatrics in Westminster and unexpected revelations about the Olympics; plus rural folk revive the ’keep off my land’ routine
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Too many targets
As we have reached the time of year for the Building Sustainability Awards, I thought it would be appropriate to air my frustration with the current level of environmental energy policy.
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Pester power
Just in case it has been missed by everybody in the industry, the Health and Safety Executive has published an amendment to HSG168. In layman’s terms that’s the amendment to the guidance for managing fire strategy on building sites. This is a very thought-provoking document.
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Let’s play associations
I read with interest your article on specialists (19 November, page 36) and would respectfully point out that at least six companies in your fit-out category are NAS members, including ISG Retail, and are most certainly not subcontractors as your opening header suggests. I would also point out that they ...
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Knowles on Levete …
The article by Amanda Levete in Building (19 November, page 26) kindled a few memories. She poses the question: “Higher education is going to become increasingly inaccessible, so why don’t we create ways of training architects on the job?”
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… And Taylor on Knowles
Further to the article by Malcolm Taylor (no relation) in Building (22 October, page 33) regarding his dissatisfaction with the RICS, I was interested in the follow-up letter by the much respected Roger Knowles (29 October, page 27) and his effort to entice more QSs to join his breakaway organisation. ...
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CommentChinks in the NEC armour
The NEC contract has been notable by its absence in disputes that end up in court. But recently there have been several judgments that point up some weaknesses
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CommentOutstanding novation
Rachel Barnes If no formal novation agreement exists between a contractor and a consultant but they act as if there was, a court may accept that the intention was to create an appointment
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Fancy a dip in the hot-tub?
Hot-tubbing, or concurrent evidence, is a tool that allows experts to tell the court how it is without being cross-examined. Charles Blamire-Brown looks at the pros and cons
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CommentFairness heads south
Come back John Prescott, all is forgiven! You probably never thought you’d hear such a plea
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CommentSticks for the North, carrots for the South in the New Home Bonus handicap race
Is the north funding the South's Nimbyism?
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CommentAcademia isn’t up to the job
University research consistently fails to address the practical realities of construction. What we need is industry people in academic posts controlling the purse strings
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CommentPFI alternatives: A change of route
The damning National Audit Office report on the M25 widening scheme is the latest sign that PFI might be nearing the end of the road. But what are the alternatives?
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CommentHansom: Look over there!
Distractions abound in the industry this week, from executive toys in Rok’s offices, elusive bosses, misplacing a wind farm and a handy suggestion for the Irish government’s PR team
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CommentLocal authorities and housebuilding
Local authorities are using their new powers to cancel planned housing schemes, but that doesn’t mean housebuilders should just sit back, says Chris Cobbold
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Comment... and then there were two
It seems Mark Hammond, 12 November’s blunder spotter, was not alone.
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How to claim interest
There is no common-law right to interest when someone is late paying you, so providing for it in the contract is best. Even without that, you’ve still got a fighting chance
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Dismissing contractors
An employer who finds a defect during construction may be tempted to dismiss the contractor. But the contractor can fire back that the work shouldn’t be judged until it’s finished