Opinion – Page 493

  • Jones Blogs
    Comment

    Dubai’s big freeze

    2006-09-22T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Gus Alexander
    Comment

    Critical flaws

    2006-09-22T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Tim Elliot
    Comment

    After the fire

    2006-09-22T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Comment

    Get it in writing

    2006-09-22T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • Comment

    My favourites …

    2006-09-22T00:00:00Z

    This week - Keith Brooks

  • Comment

    Ðǿմ«Ã½ buys a pint …

    2006-09-22T00:00:00Z

    for Sanderson Weatherall

  • Hansom
    Comment

    Disappearing acts

    2006-09-22T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Open Mike
    Comment

    Refuelling the renewable debate

    2006-09-22T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Denise Chevin
    Comment

    Last things first

    2006-09-22T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Jones Blogs
    Comment

    New New York

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Comment

    EU judges throw out aggregates tax case

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    British Aggregates Association loses its challenge on the legality of UK aggregates tax

  • Comment

    The adjudication must go on …

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • Comment

    My favourites …

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    This week - Dave Hampton

  • John Spanswick
    Comment

    Be hands-on

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Comment

    Ðǿմ«Ã½ buys a pint …

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    for PRP Architects

  • Hansom
    Comment

    An actor’s life

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Comment

    No help at all

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Ian Yule
    Comment

    Guilt by association

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    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

  • Comment

    Leave it to the professionals

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • Comment

    Evidence of life

    2006-09-15T00:00:00Z

    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