This is the CCS library of articles about the construction industry. Some are comments from the CCS team. Others are articles by associate members or guest writers. We are sure you will find them useful.
Associate member articles
Unprofitable contracts – solutions for ever increasing raw material prices
TOPICAL ISSUE – 489 June 2022 The current cost of living crisis is not just a problem for consumers but is also a problem for
Claims for payment – when is it too late?
One of the first things you learn as a law student is that the standard limitation period for claims in contract is six years in
Liquidated damages: Supreme Court Overturns Court of Appeal
Calculating the costs for delay – damages for pre and post-termination delay to be treated differently Triple Point Technology, Inc -v- PTT Public Company Ltd [2019]
VAT reverse charge for construction services
Following the postponement of the VAT reverse charge commencement date in September 2019 and October 2020, HMRC guidance states that the VAT reverse charge on
New fines and criminal records for self-isolating workers and their employers if they attend workplace
TOPICAL ISSUE – 301 Employers will now commit a criminal offence and face fines if they knowingly permit a worker to attend the workplace after they have
“Don’t wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel, stride down there … and light the bloody thing yourself”
TOPICAL ISSUE – 308 This article is written from the perspective of a party who has undertaken work and is not getting paid on time (either in
Articles
Building Safety Act 2022: what to expect in 2026 – Levy, BSR Reform, second staircases and Remediation Bill
Topical Issue – 684 The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) and its related legislation have already transformed the regulatory landscape for the construction and living
‘SMASH AND GRAB’ AND ‘TRUE VALUE’ ARGUMENTS FORMING A SINGLE DISPUTE: CONFIRMATION AT LAST
Topical Issue 593 Disputes concerning default payment applications are one of, if not the most, common type of dispute that is referred to in adjudication.
Fraud: can an exclusion clause exclude or limit liability?
Topical Issue 597 There is an old legal rule that “fraud unravels all“. Once fraud is proved, “it vitiates judgments, contracts and all transactions whatsoever“.
Pay now, argue later! How far does that concept go under the Construction Act?
Topical Issue 590 ‘Pay now, argue later’. It is often said that is the nature of the payment and adjudication procedures in the Housing Grants,
Supply chain disputes: avoidance, mitigation and resolution
TOPICAL ISSUE – 396 July 2021 Introduction Supply chains are increasingly complex. Globalisation of markets has led to supply chains that extend across multiple borders
You are the Project Manager under an NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract. Does your acceptance of a programme change the Completion Date?
You are the Project Manager (“PM”) under an NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract. Does your acceptance of a programme change the Completion Date? 1. Yes2. No3. Maybe –
Confederation comment
Specialist Sub-contractors – Use Fluctuation Clauses!
Noble Francis (Economics Director of the CPA) noted that the construction Industry is having to deal with rapid price inflation, increasing labour costs and cash
Enough: Construction needs to get back to workGovernment Guidance on Contractual behaviour due to Covid -19
The construction industry needs to adapt and get back to work. Construction like many business sectors has been decimated by the COVID -19 outbreak. However,
PI Insurance – Not working for UK Construction
Massive hikes in Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance premiums and in excesses, coupled with changes to insurance terms – including additional exclusions from cover, the removal
Collateral Warranties – Not To Be Signed At the Beginning
I am assisting a specialist niche area sub-contractor which during the honeymoon period of entering a substantial sub-contract signed every possible warranty for its work
Build UK Contract Terms Recommendation
Build UK has recommended that, as a minimum, its members do not use a number of contract terms (see below). The Confederation of Construction Specialists
Confederation Press Release: View Point – Build UK Contract Terms Recommendation
CCS Viewpoint – Build UK Contract Terms Recommendation Build UK has recommended that, as a minimum, its members do not use a number of contract
Guest blogs
Research and Development Tax Relief Scheme
The Research and Development Tax Relief Scheme was set out by the UK Government in 2000. This scheme supports businesses within many industries, including the
How Construction is Becoming an Increasingly Data Driven Business
We are living in the digital revolution and yet while other companies have evolved into streamlined and efficient data-driven businesses, the construction sector has been somewhat
VAT Reverse Charge for the Construction Industry
From 1st October this year, what’s termed the VAT domestic reverse charge for construction services will be introduced. The impact of this new ruling on businesses in
Sustainability: Challenges for the Construction Sector in 2019
As we all become more and more aware of the environmental impact that modern life has on the planet we live on, calls for action
The complete guide to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
It’s important for every industry to be aware of PPE requirements. Last year saw the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC replaced with Regulation 2016/425 as part of a
The Challenges Construction Must Face in 2019
The challenges construction must face in 2019 No doubt every sector has felt the difficulties presented to the UK in the last few years. There’s