Articles

The closure of sites, manufacturers, logistical and supplier issues and difficulties implementing social distancing obligations meant that no construction project in the UK escaped being impacted when the lockdown was imposed back in March. Every recession leads to an upsurge in the number of insolvency cases in the construction industry and unfortunately this is already happening as the sector begins the process of attempting to emerge from COVID-19. The positive news is that there are...

Technology may have revolutionised many areas of the construction industry but is has also created a whole new set of problems around cyber crime such as email fraud. Construction companies are particularly vulnerable to scams such as phishing due to the number and value of invoices involved in paying for subcontractors and labour, as well as materials and equipment. In the Feb issue of Planning & Building Control Today,  Michael Gerard of construction and engineering...

In this article featured in Roofing, Cladding and Insulation magazine, Michael Gerard explains how claims for loss and expense under a JCT contract have been settled in key court cases – and what ascertain actually means in terms of determining the loss and expense that a contractor may have incurred.  Enlarge the article by clicking here.

Michael Gerard Solicitors is pleased to be featured in the latest edition of Planning and Building Control Today Magazine.  The triple page article sees Michael Gerard explain how the adjudication process can help settle disputes within the construction industry. The first page of the article is below. If you would like to read further, find the full piece on page 65-67 of the magazine here. (more…)

Read by those involved in all aspects of the construction industry, Michael Gerard was delighted to be featured on the UK Construction Online website recently. As an industry heavily reliant on the use of contractors, it’s not unusual for disputes to arise in the construction industry. Since the introduction of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act in 1998, statutory and contractual adjudication has overwhelmingly become the go-to solution for those involved in a dispute...

Architects and other professionals employed as contract administrators on construction projects are usually well aware of their duties in issuing a practical completion certificate (PCC) once a project is completed. However, what happens when a contract administrator has issued the PCC prematurely or simply has a change of mind that the project has achieved practical completion – can he or she withdraw the PCC? In this article featured on the ADF website, Michael Gerard explains...