Who would have thought that Brexit – or the lack of it – would significantly affect the way in which the industry manages boundary disputes? Richard Crow, associate director of Trident Building Consultancy, explains:
Two years ago a Private Member’s Bill, sponsored by Lord Lytton, received its first reading in the House of Lords. The Bill suggested that boundary issues could be better addressed by using a structure which broadly replicates the provisions of the Party Wall Act – essentially removing much of the responsibility from solicitors and handing it to surveyors. Progress of the Bill was thwarted by the general election of June 2017, and with parliamentary time apparently unavailable to advance the legislation it is yet to have its second reading in the Lords. The delay is frustrating, but it also provides some necessary reflection time.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is once more mounting its Legal Issues in Construction conference this year. The conference will be held on 6 November at the Cavendish Conference Centre, in London’s Marylebone, and will qualify for 5.5 hours of formal CPD.
A recent Northern Ireland High Court case has highlighted challenges that can be faced when a specification is changed.
The Court of Appeal has announced a ruling regarding the Dreamvar case which will make conveyancers accountable for their client's actions.
A legal review of the current housing law, carried out following the Grenfell Tower tragedy which killed 71 people last June, has called for sweeping changes to improve safety standards and protect tenants.