Opinion – Page 632
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Word domination
Global claims have as much chance as getting 'archaeology' on three triple word squares. But is this true? A recent case suggests it might not be so cut and dried
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Ethics are not optional
A housebuilder, now sadly deceased, once recounted the tale of how he won permission for luxury flats in Europe by agreeing to sponsor the local football team and paying for the mayor and his family to stay at The Ritz for a month. That was 20 years ago, but international ...
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Engineers anonymous
Given that construction has contributed so much to the environment and the economy, why are we all so embarrassed to admit that we're part of it?
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Whom can we trust?
Clients want buildings that will benefit their business interests, not just enhance the reputation of the design team – and we can tell the difference, you know
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A choice of damage
Liquidated damages may make contractors wince, but really they should be seen as a good and faithful friend – particularly when you consider the alternative
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Time, gentlemen, please
The new rules on limitation periods still have a loophole that means contractors could be liable – almost indefinitely – for their employees' mistakes
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50 British architectural terms for the 21st century
Are you a cladiator living in Islingtundra or a cyclopath prone to sustainagility? Find out with our guide to the terms currently redefining architecture.
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Comment
Good practice vs Dracula
The construction industry regards fitness for purpose with horror – but, as a recent Court of Appeal case demonstrates, there's really nothing to be afraid of
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Ours not to reason why
If you're an 'expert determiner' and choose to go your own sweet way rather than obey instructions, then don't. Your decision is likely to be set aside
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Falconer-free planning
Bye-bye Byers, and farewell Falconer, too – which is a splendid opportunity for people of goodwill to create a planning system that actually works. So, let's take it
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Another ruddy shake-up
Tony Blair's unexpectedly sweeping reshuffle raises as many questions for construction as it answers (pages 22-23). Few will bemoan Stephen Byers' departure, and Alistair Darling has said that he's not going to "tear up" the 10-year transport plan. But then he was drawn into an ugly spat with Downing Street ...
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Let's get this straight
The Court of Appeal decision in Parsons vs Purac does not offer the losing party to an adjudication a way out of paying – whatever it said in Building
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Comment
Legal letters
Handle with careGillian Birkby ("The ASP with a sting in its tail", 10 May, pages 50-51) identified some areas in which those using application service providers (ASP) to operate their extranets have to be wary. I am concerned that the honeyed words of the marketers have temporarily blinded her to ...
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You're on your own
Two recent decisions in the House of Lords have made the scope for claiming contribution from other negligent parties much narrower than was thought
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See you, Jimmy
Got a dispute with your builder? Then try to work it out without bothering the Court of Appeal – regardless of what you may have heard on Radio 2
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Comment
Anatomy of a fiasco
As the World Cup kicks off in the beautiful (and completed) arenas of Japan and South Korea, our attention is again on England’s beautiful (but unstarted) stadium in Wembley. Three consultants’ reports presented to MPs last week cast new light on the cost of the troubled project and the controversial ...