Opinion – Page 548
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CommentThere, there
The proposed European services directive has been dubbed Bolkestein’s Monster. But it’s not that terrifying, if you’ll all just calm down and read the small print
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Blockbuster
Hats off to English Partnerships. I was delighted to read your confirmation that the agency is opening up the £60,000 house competition to all methods of construction, including brick and block (18 March, page 22).
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Violence is the answer
The Safe Crackers debate (11 March, page 36) highlighted the difficulties of getting clients and designers to buy into and comply with their obligations under the CDM regulations.
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Between JCT and reality
Malcolm Taylor (24 March, Letters, page 34) supports the JCT provisions on practical completion and partial possession and disagrees with my comments on these clauses (“A hard way to earn £2”, 11 March, page 60).
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A policy of caution
A recent survey conducted by the Association of British Insurers will come as welcome news to those businesses that have been hit by the spiralling costs of obtaining professional indemnity cover.
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Moments of truth
James Bessey’s comments on the Great Eastern Hotel vs Laing case (11 March, page 46) rightly remind us of the risk of an independent expert appearing to turn advocate.
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Comment
An anglocentricismophobe writes
I recently took a little time out from tending my croft and drowning my sorrows after another Calcutta Cup defeat to read Building.
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Survival first
Holism seems to have become such an unholy grail in human behaviour that it was with some pleasure that I read David Bucknall’s “In for the duration” (18 March, page 37).
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Scots miffed
“You can't get that passionate about training” (24 March, Leader, page 3)? Really! Again I find myself having to state the Scottish position regarding apprenticeships and training within the construction industry. We are different - and those differences produce results, which indicate we are also successful.
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Comment
One adjudicator after another
The claimant, EDS, was a principal subcontractor carrying out the design and installation of electrical services at the Great Western Royal Hotel, Paddington. Costain Skanska Joint Venture was the contractor. The contract was the DOM/2 1981 edition including some amendments. EDS sought to enforce the decision of an adjudicator ...
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Conflicts in the contract
The claimant brought a claim for damages as widow and executrix of the estate of her husband who was fatally injured in an accident. She had sued Drake International Ltd (her husband’s employer’s) and Southampton Container Terminals (who conducted operations at the site that the fatality occurred).The trial judge found ...
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CommentPay for what you get
Good lawyers are said to be reassuringly expensive, so why don’t clients pay top dollar for quality work by M&E firms? Could it be the sector doesn’t value itself highly enough?
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CommentDirections to Dartmoor
Two solicitors have published a document listing 47 common practices in the industry, all of which are also criminal offences. It’s a real eye opener …
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CommentThe case of Rich vs Poor
It is often assumed that disputes are waged between the legal champions of well-heeled clients. But this is not so, as the McLibel case illustrates
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CommentThe arrangement
The Appeal Court has ruled that lawyers and judges are safe from the Proceeds of Crime Act, but that is no help to adjudicators, arbitrators, valuers or clients
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CommentGoing too far
A case in the South-west may lend new popularity to a dispute resolution method that many thought had gone out of style
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Safety slip
I’m sure mine is not the only email regarding the article about the Arnolfini Arts Centre in Bristol (11 March, page 50).