Contracts and Law

Our guest, Alison Oakes of Landmark Chambers, defines Right to Light and explains how it is acquired through deeds and (more commonly) via the 1832 Prescription Act.

The New Engineering Contract is a modern family of standard form construction contracts that truly embraces the concept of partnership – encouraging clients, designers and contractors to work together in construction projects. Originally introduced in 1993, the NEC has become increasingly popular, with the third edition of the contract published in 2005.

Four classic cases: Moresk Cleaners v Thomas Henwood Hicks, British Steel v Cleveland Bridge, Aluminium Industrie v Romalpa, and Butler Machine Tool Company v Ex-Cell-O Corporation are explained. Roger Knowles talks through the logic behind the judgements and he explains how and why the judges arrived at their decisions.

Commercial property landlords have a duty to maintain, repair and keep in good working order the common parts of the premises. The cost of meeting this obligation is recovered by the landlord through the collection of service charge payments made by the buildings' occupiers.

Part 8 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction (LDEDC) Act 2009 amends the adjudication and payment provisions in Part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration (HGCR) Act 1996.

Stuart Doran assesses implications and features of the 2011 editions of the JCT contracts.

This programme takes an in-depth look at three classic cases in law that have a direct impact on the work of professionals in the construction industry. By examining the implications of the rulings from these seemingly unrelated cases, construction professionals can get a clearer picture of their responsibilities in law towards their direct clients and others.

The decision to create a Supreme Court for the United Kingdom was groundbreaking and controversial. How has it been deployed in terms of bricks, mortar and judging? This programme explores the background to an exciting legal and architectural project of huge national and constitutional importance.

Graham North, national treasurer of the party wall surveyors' group Pyramus & Thisbe, explains the protocol required for the appointment of a surveyor or surveyors, how notice of work should be served, and how an 'award' is created and what it contains – including the all-important conditions survey.

The country's top village green expert, George Laurence QC, who has appeared in all of the recent House of Lords and Supreme Court cases in this area, gives a critical – and practical – update for viewers.

This programme takes a look at how the NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract, and in particular its programme, can help site teams achieve higher levels of success.

Interviewed in the studio, Jonathan Small QC and Oliver Radley-Gardner of Falcon Chambers consider the important topics in current telecoms law. They discuss the issues surrounding the leasehold enfranchisement valuations, take a look at the mismatch between current landlord and tenant legislation and the Telecoms Code, and consider the implications of the Human Rights Act.