Procurement – Covid-19

No return to sites yet, Scottish guidance says

Non essential construction sites should remain closed in Scotland until further notice, new guidance from the Scottish Government makes clear despite recent pleas from the industry to allow their reopening. The continued closure of sites is likely to lead to a rise in disputes, as well as insolvencies that may come as a result, lawyers warn.

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Firms face disputes risk over difficulty tracking down emails

Concern over the ability of firms involved in architecture, engineering and construction schemes to retrieve important project information held in emails – which may be critical in avoiding disputes – has been revealed in a new survey. Good record keeping can make or break a claim or defence in a construction dispute, one lawyer says.

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Courts seek views on success of remote hearings

The Civil Justice Council has launched a rapid consultation to assess the effectiveness of changes to the operation of the civil justice system that have been implemented in response to Covid-19, such as expanding the use of remote hearings. Beale & Co’s James Vernon says the consultation will assist in understanding the impact of the adjusted working practices, and highlights some of the key challenges being experienced in the courts.

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Further disruption expected as Covid-19 delays projects

Almost four in five project managers are anticipating future disruption to projects they are working on as a result of Coronavirus, with 44% reporting that the pandemic has already caused their main scheme to be delayed. Parties should look carefully at both their contracts and their records, one lawyer says.

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Clients urged to protect supply chains as market downturn forecasted

Construction clients must ‘remain alive’ to the risk of supplier insolvency, contract liabilities and material shortages as the industry prepares for an easing of lockdown restrictions, consultant Turner & Townsend has said.

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Call for attitude shift on nuclear procurement

Perceptions of procurement need to change in the construction industry away from being seen as a barrier to progress and towards becoming the ‘enabler’ of productivity, a new report from Constructing Excellence says.

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Coronavirus challenges explored in May issue of CL

Covid-19 and how the industry can cope with it features in several of the in-depth articles in this month’s issue of the Construction Law print journal, which will be arriving exclusively on subscriber’s desks around now.

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Market outlook poor as contract awards put on hold

Construction firms awarded contracts worth a total value of £1.2 billion in March have since had these awards put on hold due to the impact of Covid-19, according to new market analysis.

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Unions slam ‘dangerous’ health and safety guidance as sites start back

Construction sites are continuing to reopen across England and Wales and several major housebuilders are expected to resume work next month, according to Build UK. But the increase in activity has sparked concern from workers' union Unite over the implementation of social distancing rules.

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Scottish cash flow crisis bites

Scotland’s Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has set out a series of recommendations for the Scottish Government and clients to ease the cash flow crisis facing the country’s construction sector during the current pandemic. Efforts to resolve disputes consensually are needed, lawyers emphasise.

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