Construct.Law - Summer 2020
We’re delighted to share our Summer edition of Construct.law, our bi-annual Construction, Engineering and Projects publication.
Inevitably the impact of COVID-19 continues to dominate the headlines and affect our daily lives, both personally and professionally. This edition considers the impact of the crisis on both global supply chains and local site-level health and safety issues.
Aside from COVID-19, the Supreme Court’s decision in Bresco Electrical Services Ltd (In Liquidation) v Michael J Lonsdale (Electrical) Ltd has generated much interest from the industry. With insolvencies sadly expected to increase in the coming months, it is perhaps timely that liquidators have now been permitted to commence adjudications (although challenges remain at the enforcement stage).
This edition also includes interesting and wide-ranging articles on issues such the HMRC’s crackdown on personal service companies, the use of drones to collect data and the exclusion of indirect and consequential losses. There is an update on the Government’s reforms to the building safety regime in response to the Grenfell tragedy. Finally, we get back to basics and look at the law relating to variations.
Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss any of the issues covered by Construct.Law or if there are any topics which you would like us to cover in future editions.
Our thinking
Sarah Rowley
Rethinking Museum Governance
What are the legal responsibilities of museum trustees?
Lauren Fraser
Property Patter: Break Options – The Top 5 Traps
Top 5 tips for exercising break options.
David Hicks
Charles Russell Speechlys advises FairXchange on investment from United Fintech
FairXchange was founded in 2016, to bring clarity and transparency to execution performance through the provision of independent data.
Fiona Edmond
Charles Russell Speechlys advises Derwent on Francis House letting to Edelman
The firm advises long-standing client Derwent London plc on the letting of Francis House in London to global communications firm Edelman.
Christopher Page
Sustainable Rural Estate Management: The Penpont Project
Listen for an insight into the thinking behind the Penpont Project.
Mark Howard
Charles Russell Speechlys advises Acora on the acquisition of M9 Holdings
The acquisition of M9 Holdings marks the latest stage in Acora’s growth journey.
Chris Putt
Reform of the UK Prospectus Regime
This article focuses on three aspects of the consultation: Quality and Duplication, Widening participation in public offers, Agility
Emma Humphreys
Dilapidations: the law and the reality
Emma Humphreys outlines how the Dilapidations Protocol and related guidance applies in practice.
Piers Master
Investing with purpose - What is the goal of a family office?
A family office’s overall strategy and goals should be informed by the family’s investment purposes, ethics and beliefs.
Emma Humphreys
Property Patter: Just how protected are Rent Act and Assured Tenants?
Landlords of residential property can still come across Rent Act and Assured Tenancies.
Jon Bond
Charles Russell Speechlys advises Silbury Finance on a £35m facility to a Jersey unit trust to finance the development of a 89 unit retirement living village in Tunbridge Wells, Kent
The joint venture will finance the development of a 89 unit retirement living village in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Lauren Spark
Court of Appeal leaves rights of light in the dark
Lauren explores the impact of no appeal for Beaumont v Florala.
Reem Al Mahroos
Frequently Asked Questions: Hotel Franchise Agreements
What is a franchise agreement and what are the differences between it and a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA)?
Rachael Davidson
Judicial Review Reform
Judicial review is a mechanism available to various interested parties to challenge the legality of decision made by a public body.
Kerry Stares
Sustainability Leaders: Colin le Duc, Generation Investment Management
What is the future for ESG?
Rachael Davidson
Building Fire Safety Update: in the wake of the Hackitt Report
Find out more on the Building and Fire Safety update.
Lydia O’Hagan
Top 10 tips on negotiating Section 106 Obligations for developers and landowners
Everything you need to know on negotiating Section 106 Obligations for developers and landowners.
Chi Mount
Chi Mount writes for Building on the differences between a reasonable skill and care obligation and a fitness for purpose obligation
Chi explains the differences between a reasonable skill and care obligation and a fitness for purpose obligation.
James Worthington
James Worthington quoted by Construction Law on the Private Member’s Bill proposing to abolish cash retentions within construction contracts
A Private Member’s Bill proposing to abolish cash retentions within construction contracts has had its first reading in the House of Lords.
Paul Stone
UK Government issues initial consultation on potential new power to block listings on national security grounds
The Government is proposing new power block listings on national security grounds. Read this article to find out more.