Opinion – Page 493
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Dubai’s big freeze
The bloggers are doing their best to dispel the flattering image of the emirate as a land of plenty by drawing attention to its traffic congestion and ice-cold air-conditioning
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Critical flaws
A lack of consistent training or doctrine among council officers is hindering the development of small-scale building projects in conservation areas, regardless of how good they happen to be
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After the fire
If your home goes up in smoke, you naturally expect that it will be rebuilt quickly. Here’s a case in which, after more than three years of bitter wrangling, the house is still a ruin
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Get it in writing
In 2002, the defendant, Mr Guy Marsh engaged the claimant, Mr Brian Maggs, to carry out refurbishment works on his town house in Bath. The contract between Mr Marsh and Mr Maggs for the works was partly written and partly oral. A budget estimate of £36,510 plus VAT was accepted ...
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Disappearing acts
This week, champagne-soaked yachters see Mace ‘lose a man overboard’, guests at a RMJM bash trail away like smoke, Colin Harding doesn’t disappear after all, and we find out what happened to page 68
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Refuelling the renewable debate
Unless we act now, within 15 years fossil fuels will become too expensive and the effects of climate change irreversible. Bill Dunster looks to a more renewable future
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Last things first
He could make CSCS cards mandatory on government contracts, equalise VAT on new build and refurbishment, or even speed up planning … in fact, there’s no shortage of the things the industry would like Tony Blair to cross off his to-do list before he leaves office.
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New New York
Forget the special relationship. America’s bloggers haven’t been overwhelmed by their lordships’ designs for the World Trade Centre site. Not that the local boy got off any lighter
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EU judges throw out aggregates tax case
British Aggregates Association loses its challenge on the legality of UK aggregates tax
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The adjudication must go on …
Hillview engaged Botes to carry out certain works under a contract that contained adjudication provisions compliant with the requirements of the Construction Act. A dispute arose in relation to Hillview’s entitlement to liquidated and ascertained damages as a consequence of delays in completion of certain sections of the works. Hillview ...
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Be hands-on
Trade bodies can only do so much without their members’ input. To get real value out of them, industry leaders must get involved and drive the agenda forward
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An actor’s life
Garvis Snook takes to the stage with his all-singing, all-dancing troupe of Rok staff, while property developers pretend to know about wine and Ken Yeang reveals a movie-star influence
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No help at all
My company has taken on an apprentice in order to put something back into the industry and has done all the right things – enrolled him at college, contacted the Ðǿմ«Ã½ and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council about an apprenticeship and contacted
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Guilt by association
The rules of bias can apply differently to arbitrators and judges. But if you are hoping to use apparent conflicts of interest within a practice to dodge a decision, beware of looking opportunistic
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Leave it to the professionals
Simon Rawlinson’s excellent article on construction management (1 September, page 62) will hopefully dispel any myths surrounding the CM route.The key to the successful use of CM is ensuring clients use only experienced, specialist CM organisations that have the culture, systems, people and skills to make it work and operate ...
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Evidence of life
I appreciate that there are many diverse roles within the property/construction industry, but as a chartered building surveyor with an MRICS professional qualification and a BSc degree, it’s really nice to know from your latest annual salary guide that I don’t exist