星空传媒

The reality, especially in the construction industry, is surely a great deal more mundane than that. A snatched chat on the phone or a quick word at an industry event where a "quick favour" is requested is probably the norm for contractors who could then be subject to accusations of bid rigging or price-fixing, the most common potential fraudulent activity in the sector.

The gap between image and reality does not detract from how seriously the issue of corruption and cartels is being taken. The current campaign waged by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on bid-rigging amongst groups of specialist and main contractors, and the future focus during the high-profile construction of the London Olympics complex, is focusing minds in the industry. The raids that took place at two offices of major player Mowlem underlines how seriously the OFT is taking its duty. No doubt such a concerted effort must be troubling QSs, the middlemen between the supply side and the client side who are in an extremely sensitive and delicate position if there is even a whiff of scandal surrounding bids or claims.

Blake Newport's David White point out that this is just as relevant for expert witnesses in adjudication as it is for QSs assessing tenders, where the potential of less than water-tight claims is present (see page 14). White also raises the spectre of QSs becoming whistleblowers during the very public work carried out for the 2012 Olympic Games in the capital, given their central role in the process. Much food for thought then for both the profession and for the RICS, which is currently reviewing its regulatory duty over members.