Defence work reorganised

Defence Estates has handed over all of its procurement to a new body called the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, which started operation on 1 April. The reorganisation is part of a drive to achieve savings of over £1,000m over four years on a budget yet to be confirmed.

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Rail revolution under way

Network Rail has announced a radical overhaul of its procurement strategy on £6,000m of railway projects in a bid to cut costs. Earlier involvement of designers and contractors is promised in what Network Rail says represents a revolution in its procurement.

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Cost review plan revealed

The Treasury has released details of the next steps in its drive to save up to £3,000m a year on infrastructure construction costs that was revealed last year in an Infrastructure Cost Report.

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Court experiments on experts

One of the most surprising things about expert witness immunity from suit, which has just been abolished by a majority decision of the Supreme Court, with two of the seven judges dissenting, is that it has never been challenged until now.

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When is a guarantee on demand?

A recent decision of the Chancery Courts brings into focus the law regarding the nature of guarantees, emphasising the circumstances in which the courts will consider a guarantee to be on demand, report Vijay Bange and Steve Nichol of Trowers & Hamlins.

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Directive boost for ADR

In the latest in our series on ADR Maria Kallitsantsi of Clyde & Co examines new measures that will come into force in April under the European Union Mediation Directive.

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Collateral warranties – here to stay?

Insurance expert John D Wright of JD Risk Associates examines collateral warranties in the light of a recent decision in the Scottish courts. Take care with drafting to ensure that the warranty’s wording is what it needs to be, he warns.

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Localism Bill 2010-11 – a review

Charlotte Davey and Rachel Chaplin of Clyde & Co analyse the government’s proposed Localism strategy which intends to change the way major projects are planned. Among the changes are the scrapping of the Infrastructure Planning Commission.

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Limits to delegation

The question of whether and in what circumstances a professional consultant may delegate his duties to a specialist is an area particularly dependent upon the facts of the case in question, says Joanna Dennis of Pinsent Masons. A recent case provides useful guidance.

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Contract cost increases implied

The Privy Council has adopted a broadened approach to implied terms as Mark Grasso and Ann Levin of Herbert Smith report in this consideration of the uncertainties created for construction contracts. Costs will increase, they predict.

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