More Focus – Page 535
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Whose pocket are you in?
Two recent cases have demonstrated how important impartiality is to judges, arbitrators and expert witnesses. Even a very remote connection can be enough to get them thrown off a case.
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Danger – slippery law
If an adjudicator makes a decision that contains an obvious mistake, then tough. It’s supposed to be a rough-and-ready system for settling disputes … But then again, surely that’s too ridiculous to be true?
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Putting E-topia on the map
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Not in E-topia, where you may be signing contracts that oblige you to deal with virtual design flaws in a not-yet-existent bridge.
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Clash points
In the post-Construction-Act industry, main contractors and the firms that work for them should not be talking about clash points, but about how to work together to achieve their mutual objectives.
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Does the Construction Act really work?
According to a ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ/CMS Cameron McKenna survey, subcontractors are grumbling about its payment system, lawyers are using it to sandbag the opposition, and almost everyone has reservations about its adjudication rules. Two years on and with a review imminent, should changes be made?
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Paul Reeder
The man credited with pulling Schal’s chestnuts out of the fire at the Royal Opera House is now its boss. So how’s he going to make sure the company’s troubles are behind it?
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Career, girls?
The industry just can’t attract enough graduates. To find out why, ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ asked two students to give construction a try. Will they be back for more?
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Beatrice goes on site at Coin Street
The jobBeatrice spent two weeks getting to grips with all areas of contracting at Mansell’s major works division. She spent most of her time on site at an £11m residential scheme for the Coin Street Community Builders near Waterloo Station in London. David Stones, managing director of Mansell’s London Major ...
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Clash points
Yes, of course. But let’s not get too wrapped up in our noble intentions. Common purposes presuppose common interests, and too many contractors are still looking after number one.
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Buy now, save later
Expense is putting smaller construction firms off IT – but only if they haven’t looked at the costs of not investing. But how can they find out what’s right for them?
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Services whole-life costs
The third in this series on the lifespan costs of engineering services compares three power and data installation options.
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Materials whole-life costs
¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ Performance Group’s guide to the lifespan and whole-life costs of building components tackles flexible floor coverings from PVC sheets to carpet tiles.
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The graduates
Robert Smith of Hays Montrose explains how construction firms can attract more career girls and boys.
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Appointments
Contractors Ballast Wiltshier chief executive Bob Heathfield has been made chairman. He has also joined the management executive committee of its Dutch parent, Ballast Nedam.William Underwood has been appointed non-executive director at Middlewich-based Pochin.HousebuilderPersimmon Homes has promoted Ian Hessay to deputy managing director in the Yorkshire region.ConsultantsConsulting engineer Donald Smith ...
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Dot-coms quick on the draw
Two on-line services have beaten the government in the race against the cowboys. Improveline and hi-revolution are offering householders a database of vetted and reliable contractors – so why does anybody need the quality mark?
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Mr Rethink
The boss of award-winning housebuilder Westbury is rising to the challenges of the stock market and the Internet.
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From here to eternity
Chartres, Notre Dame, Salisbury – LA. Can today’s structural engineers measure up to their medieval forerunners and produce a future-proof cathedral in the world’s most notorious earthquake zone?
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Don’t buy Beta
In the future, everyone in the building industry will use one data management system. Trouble is, no one knows which it will be. HBG’s Graham Cash hopes he’s backed the winner.
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Double exposure?
You can’t pursue the same case in two tribunals at the same time, but if you have litigation or arbitration under way, you can still refer it to adjudication to get a quick, interim decision.
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Because we’re worth it
Sharks, parasites, bloodsuckers … whatever your favourite term for lawyers, the fact is, you need us. The fees may be high, but that’s only because our skills get your buildings built when nobody else can.