Machiavellian motives in contract selection, and disagreement on how much sympathy subcontractors really deserve

Rok in 'hall of shame' for changing payment terms

Payment in line with the rest of the industry? Based on who/what research? Payments are usually back to back with the contract 14/21/28 days, would ROK accept payments from their clients for 60 days?? Times are hard enough without contractors squeezing subcontrators like this.

Subcontractors are the key to any successful contract; it seems to me that ROK have changed the lock.
John Smith

Verry collapse hits 1,000 firms and costs Doyle £1.9m

It is well documented that Verry's have had a poor credit rating for a long time. Why do companies get themselves in this situation. Blind greed will always end in tears – no sympathy.
The subby

The one and only: using the NEC for public projects

Clients are forever looking for contracts which will make them feel they will get a fairer chance of their project being delivered on time and on budget. What the NEC in particular appears to do is make communication more transparent and support a sound structure where any requirements to change in time or cost are dealt with quickly and concisely.

The clear statement here is no matter what contracts teams are using, if there is one party who has a stronger understanding of the contract, they are going to milk it for what its worth. Is this the JCT for contractors? Or will it be the NEC – either way a sound system underpinning any contract should be put in place guiding parties into a more collaborative way of working. Not one that ultimately requires dispute resolution.
Edward Boxall

Wanted: company to build £20bn of nuclear plant

Look no further, I know a couple of companies...one in Iran and the other in North Korea. I am sure they would love to tender for the work, and will put in a real cheap price. USA is always saying how good they are......
Marmot Brown

The rotating tower block is dreadful, but Brits are to blame

I think that vibrant ideas should be promoted more. It's better to have something different and interesting than boring "Prince Charles" buildings. And another thing, the building's services will be controlled by building regulations. And more, British architects were working Dubai long before the current economic crisis, and in terms of local context, DUBAI WAS A BLOODY DESERT!!!! what more needs to be said of context??
Fergus Carr

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