More Focus – Page 563
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Features
Who needs experts?
Lord Woolf believes that limiting the number of expert witnesses in construction disputes will reduce the cost of litigation, but will it? And is it a workable solution anyway?
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Language lessons
Contracting or subcontracting with a company from another part of Europe can be fraught with linguistic and legal problems – as a recent case shows. It’s best to make sure the details are worked out first.
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Border skirmishes
A recent decision by a Scottish sheriff suggests that the court’s powers in Scotland are different to those in England and Wales.
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Woolf’s teeth
An important element of the Woolf reform is the idea of a pre-action protocol, which governs how parties should behave before litigation starts. Fail to follow it and the court can now take a big chunk out of you.
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Cost study: Sustainable low-energy housing
Sixteen sustainable low-energy houses and flats were constructed in Glasgow for £60,900 each. This low capital price was achieved despite building in sophisticated environmental features that will significantly cut whole-life costs.
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Appointments
Contractors Try Accord has promoted Steve Jarvis to business development manager for London. Sam Roscoe has been made business development manager for the South-west.Jane Horswill has joined Roberts as area marketing manager for South Yorkshire. HousebuildersLaing Homes South Thames has appointed Alan Sellers sales and marketing director. ConsultantsBirmingham-based Wakemans has ...
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Features
PFI revolution fails to inspire
The public-private body that will provide money and advice for PFI projects has been unveiled – to a chorus of scepticism on its ability to reconcile private profit with the public good.
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Features
Councils forced into Egan era
From April 2000, local authorities will be asked to abandon compulsory competitive tendering for best-value procurement. But will they?
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Features
Rick Mather
Oregon-born, Camden-based Mather has joined the architectural superleague with his appointment to a high-profile project in the city he loves – London's South Bank Centre.
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Features
St Ives gold
Since it opened six years ago, the Tate Gallery St Ives has attracted three times more visitors than anticipated. For many of them, the building is just as much of a draw as the exhibits.
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Features
The Seven Years War
This is a story about how a simple arbitration case became a seven-year siege that ended in the courts. And, in the struggle, some vital points about what an arbitrator can do were thrashed out.
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Features
Adjudication: a case for change
Failure to comply with procedural requirements could jeopardise the validity of adjudication, but a Court of Appeal judgment may force a look at the effect of the non-compliance rather than the letter of the law.
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Features
When winning doesn't pay
In general, the unsuccessful party pays the successful party's costs in a trial of preliminary issues. However, this ain't necessarily so.
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Clash points
JCT98 is guilty of aiding and abetting inefficiency. Take its extensions of time clause – the list of relevant events includes items that clearly should be the responsibility of the contractor.
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Clash points
Yes, the clause should be redrafted, but Ann exaggerates its vulnerability to exploitation by inefficient contractors. In fact, inefficient architects are much more likely to benefit.
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Tender price forecast
Fears of recession have faded and construction order books are reflecting developers' new-found confidence. By this time next year, construction output is expected to have passed 1990 boom levels.
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Features
On with the show
Presentations needn't be an ordeal. The Institute of Personnel and Development's Angela Baron offers some tips on dazzling your audience.
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Features
Appointments
ContractorsStourbridge-based MJC Construction has appointed Simon Jones contracts manager. David Hollick has been appointed special works manager and Tony Shaw becomes chief estimator.Stansell has appointed Bill Badham area director for Bristol.Stan Bakowski has been appointed director of Frederick J French.Housebuilders John Tutte has been promoted to group managing director at ...