Opinion – Page 646
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Comment
Emergency exit
Asking the engineer for an indemnity is not the best way out of the fix Carillion got itself into with Blyth & Blyth. But fear not – there are other ways of escaping
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Comment
Speaking volumes
New editions of important books: the first does wonders for our understanding of dispute management; the second is a weighty tome on contract law
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Comment
Peace, love and understanding
Those who already approach partnering in the right spirit will probably welcome the new NEC partnering option's emphasis on a less confrontational attitude
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Comment
All very civil
The pre-action protocol can settle a dispute with the minimum of cost and delay, and the maximum preservation of good will. Why don't we use it more often?
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Comment
Regeneration: Go for it, Gordon
Homeless families, hog-tied developers and economic weakness: all are products of our sclerotic planning system. Can Gordon Brown save us?
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Comment
Picking up the pieces
Since Blair's carve-up of government machinery, the political pressure that makes things happen in construction has all but evaporated. It's another fine mess
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Comment
California, here we come
Seven years ago, a national prequalification list was proposed for contractors. Little has come of that, so now it's time to try something else
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Comment
Take notice
Judges have been in a right muddle over payment notices, but a recent judgment should put them – and adjudicators – back on the right path
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Comment
Something better change
The NHS Executive says that its standard form contracts for PFI deals should be used largely unamended – but actually, there's no way the parties can do that. Here's why
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Comment
Getting out of a hole
A contractor that damages cables or pipes while digging up the road must pay for repairs – but what other costs might it face?
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Comment
Same difference
Globalisation means that so-called 'traditional' building styles are just fake. They will remain a sham even if we enter an age of greater regional autonomy
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Comment
Nothing by halves
If an adjudicator fails to take into account part of your defence, can you get their decision overturned? Frogmore Investments found out …
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Comment
Clinging to the wreckage
After the collapse of Independent Insurance, We ask what to do if your insurer goes bust
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Comment
Cover your back
We examine 'after-the-event' insurance, which can keep you out of trouble in big court cases
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Comment
Cut us some slack
Adjudication is increasingly dealing with matters that are difficult to sort out within 28 days. It would be fairer to give adjudicators the right to extend the time limit.
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Comment
The brand plays on
After years of talk, the RIBA is sprucing up its image and its spectacular headquarters. At last it looks like an organisation that knows a bit about design
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Comment
Corrupt practices
As the use of electronic document storage and transfer increases, the risk of corruption grows, and professionals are advised to have an effective back-up system.
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Comment
Creative contracts
For expert services to fall within the Construction Act, they must be to do with construction operations, and if they are not, then you should pretend that they are
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Comment
Nothing personal
Although an adjudicator must act in his personal capacity when deciding a case, he is under no obligation to do this when it comes to recovering his fees