Construction

Building safety, flammable cladding, and the Hackitt report

The fire at Grenfell Tower that took place in June 2017 resulted in 71 deaths and a large number of further injuries. Following the fire a number of inquiries and reviews were set up, including an independent review of fire safety and the current Building Regulations. This review was led by Dame Judith Hackitt and […]

Trespass in the sky

There is a basic principle in English land law that you own the airspace above your property and all of the ground below: ‘up to the heavens and down to the depths’. As a result, anyone entering your airspace (or mining underneath your property) without consent will almost always be committing a trespass. This is […]

Recent developments and the implications for some aspects of construction law

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill (informally known as the “Great Repeal Bill”) passed its third reading in the House of Commons on 17 January. While the bill has still to complete its passage through the House of Lords, it is unlikely to undergo significant further amendment. What impact will the bill, when enacted, have on […]

When the architect gets carried away

What do you do when your architect designs something that is way beyond your budget? That was the issue in the recent case of Riva Properties v Foster + Partners. Oliver Tobin reports. A recent decision of the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) has considered the scope of an architect’s duty of care, specifically in […]

1 April 2018: an important day for more than just April Fools

April Fool’s Day 2018 will not just see the arrival of exceptionally crazy headlines in the tabloid press, but also the introduction of new rules governing the provision of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). EPCs are already a feature of the residential market, and will from 1 April 2018 also begin having a substantial impact upon […]

Planning for a successful hotel project

A batch of High Court cases from 2017 reminds us of the challenges that arise when building hotels.  Last year we saw cases concerning a new luxury hotel near Heathrow Airport,[1] works to the Albert Embankment Crowne Plaza[2] and a new hotel at Lifeboat Quay in Poole[3]. It is not unusual for hotel projects to […]

Carillion creditors: urgent steps to protect your position

On 15 January 2018 Carillion PLC and a number of its subsidiary companies (Carillion) went into liquidation, with the High Court appointing the Official Receiver as liquidator and six partners of PWC as special managers. Those clients who have contracts with Carillion or who are owed money may find the following guidance useful: Check carefully […]

Construction Management: Time for a rethink

Construction management has fallen out of favour in recent years, but with the possibility of both cost savings and cash flow benefits on offer, is it worth reconsidering construction management as the procurement method for your project? What is construction management? Construction management is a procurement method for managing construction works. It became popular during […]

Khanna to develop 145 bedroom hotel in Manchester

Fladgate LLP has acted for Khanna Enterprises (Manchester) Limited on the acquisition of Invicta House, Atkinson Street, Manchester.  The purchase was conditional on securing planning permission for change of use from an office to a hotel and the subsequent development of a new build, 145 bedroom hotel.  Real estate partner James Fry led the Fladgate […]

Annual Hotel Finance, Investment and Development briefing

Fladgate is delighted to have two partners, Barry Hembling, construction partner, and Eddie Powell, commercial and IT partner, speaking at the annual Hotel Finance, Investment and Development briefing in London on Thursday 30 November. Their session ‘Key Legal Issues that MUST be Considered when Developing and Operating New Hotels’ will focus on legal and contractual issues. […]