Opinion 鈥� Page 463
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Comment
Bless茅d are the peacemakers
Rather than bringing in mediators after things go wrong, the ODA is appointing dispute boards as a cost-effective and informal way of resolving squabbles before they become rows
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CommentGive yourself up
Make no mistake, the Office of Fair Trading and Competition Appeal Tribunal mean business when it comes to the construction sector. So best be aware of the leniency rules 鈥�
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CommentHow hard can it be?
Heart transplants are routine, information can cross the world in milliseconds and modern aviation lets us fly anywhere for a pittance. So why can鈥檛 we build half as many houses as we did in the sixties?
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CommentWonders & blunders
Charles Graham-Marr celebrates the glory that is Greece but bemoans unenlightened additions to the Edinburgh streetscape
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Comment
An appealing decision
This was an appeal from an order that an adjudicator鈥檚 decision be enforced summarily. The first instance judgment is dated 17 March 2006. A dispute arose between the parties in respect of fees. That dispute was referred to adjudication. The adjudicator decided that certain fees were due and owing. The ...
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CommentCaps: they鈥檙e the height of fashion
One way of limiting liability is to impose a curb on the amount that can be claimed under a contract. Hence caps are de rigueur. But, as this article makes clear, they鈥檙e far from simple
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CommentA sit-in protest
What do we want? A register of checks on cranes to prevent more deaths, without having to go down to Westminister to protest. When do want it? Now! Alex Smith gets his virtual placards out
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Comment
A false move
Connolly Ltd sought rectification of a contract for the sale of a piece of land for mixed commercial and residential development or damages for deceit. The purchaser was Bellway Homes Ltd. Connolly contracted to sell Bellway a development site subject to planning permission being granted. It was agreed between Connolly ...
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Comment
Dialogue coach
Competitive dialogue looks set to replace the competitive negotiated procedure for most PFI contracts. The bad news is that it is unlikely to reduce costs. In fact, it will probably increase them
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CommentA little light relief
A revised Treasury document on PFI contracts makes some useful changes 鈥� for instance, on variations and on dispute resolution. It should make life slightly easier for building contractors
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Comment
Join our gang
I read with interest the article about contractors speaking with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) about creating a trade body to discuss procurement of maintenance work for social housing (18 May, page 14).
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Comment
Told you so
It was hardly a great surprise to hear that the design for the Olympic park was being 鈥減ared down鈥� (25 May, page 9). In fact, it was predicted by those who were sceptical of the project from day one.
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Comment
An inspector gripes
I am writing in response to your articles on the delayed introduction of home information packs (Hips) and the RICS鈥� stance on the scheme.
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CommentGo on, shock me
Football chants, wearing Gilbert & George cufflinks, designing Middle Eastern cities of the future 鈥� it鈥檚 all so conformist. And when even virtual worlds smack of the pack mentality, something has to be done
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CommentThe sober truth
Dopers are no longer welcome at this column, which has adopted a demeanor almost presbyterian in its unsmiling seriousness. Which makes its neon-pink roller-skating tomato that much odder 鈥�
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CommentThe art of realpolitik
Few projects have inflamed passions more than the 2012 Olympics. The process of marrying the aspirational and the practical has put some sectors of the industry and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) at each other鈥檚 throats.
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CommentTroubles along the way
A recent case involving temporary works, and what happens when they fail to do their job, casts some light on the tricky inspection obligations of professionals