Welcome to the March 2021 edition of Cornerstone, our newsletter for those working in the construction industry
Welcome to the March edition of Cornerstone, our construction law newsletter.
I trust you are all keeping well, and looking forward to the additional freedom of some easing of lockdown over the coming days and weeks. It's a time of some change in our Construction Team as well, and I am writing this introduction in my new role as Head of Construction. As you may know, I am a partner in the Construction Team who has been with the firm since 2010. I am very much looking forward to taking on this exciting new challenge.
In other news, I am pleased to confirm that we have recruited an experienced contentious construction lawyer from a well-known national firm to lead the contentious side of our construction practice going forward. Our new colleague will be joining us as a partner in May 2021 and I will be able to confirm their name to you in due course.
In addition, Andrew Rush, Ruth Sunaway, Carolyn Porter, Oliver Worth, Hanna McNab and Rory Abel have decided to leave the firm at the end of May this year to pursue their own plans. Their decision was unexpected but having agreed the terms and timing of their departure they go with our best wishes. The Construction Team will continue to be a core part of our business. From 1 June 2021 a team of fourteen, led by me, will continue to advise on both contentious and non-contentious construction issues. We will be looking to re-grow the team where appropriate, whilst at all times remaining committed to delivering the excellent standards which you have come to expect.
Now on to the Spring edition! This edition is, as always, something of a mixed bag. First up, Nicole Clifford and Sophie Thornley provide an update on how COVID-19 is affecting costs on construction projects. Then, Tyler Fitzpatrick looks at the ever-relevant issue of disclosure and the importance of parties' understanding how and when disclosure obligations can arise, something the courts had to consider in the case of Equipe Regeneration Limited v Higgins Construction Limited & Others [2020]. Next Sophie Thornley and James Twamley discuss the introduction of a new, national regulator for construction products following the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017. And finally, following the introduction of the VAT Reverse Charge on 1 March 2020, Jessica Housego explains how the new regulations will affect construction projects, particularly cash flow.
We hope you enjoy reading this edition of Cornerstone, which we aim to be both informative and thought-provoking. As ever, if you have any queries or comments on the articles, we would be delighted to hear from you.
To view the full article, please click here.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
