Sydney Rich and Rachel Murray-Smith explain performance bonds, PCGs and how building contracts are affected.

Oliver Slater and Steve Gummer provide insight into how local authorities can best make use of the recently announced 'Warm Homes Grant' for their eligible homes.

Sophie Drysdale and Allan Owen discuss the most suitable payment options for different forms of construction contracts.

James Mallery-Nelson discusses the recent developments in planning relating to 'brownfield' land and how the government is helping councils make use of the sites.

Juli Lau, Beth Edwards and Shyann Sheehy discuss the struggles of local authorities to use resources effectively, and explore key areas of good practice.

Steve Gummer, Jonathan Blunden and Oliver Slater discuss the landmark Competition Appeal Tribunal class action brought against six of England’s largest water companies.

Ryan Copeland and Hannah Peto provide an update on the Charity Commission guidance “Local authorities (or councils) and as trustees of charities”, outlining what is expected of local authorities in the role of trustee.

Olivia Dawson and Jonathon Blunden highlight for practitioners the key amendments in the latest edition of the Administrative Court Guide.

On 12 September, the Government confirmed the rumours and the highly anticipated Procurement Act 2023 (the “Act”), due to come in to force on 28 October 2024, will now be delayed until 24 February 2025 [1]. Whilst this may result in a sigh of relief for many, write Sophie Mcfie-Hyland and Lorraine Spurling, for others it will trigger a huge chorus of “so where does this leave my planned procurement?”

Joe Walker and Fred Groves provide an update on unauthorised pro-Palestinian protest encampments on university premises where many have refused to comply with demands to vacate.

Steve Gummer and Shyann Sheehey issue a call on the government to make use of their options to address various barriers to investment and innovation in the manufacturing sector.

Allan Owen and Elizabeth Withers discuss the recent Water (Special Measures) Bill and how the changes will affect water companies in the UK.

Steve Gummer and Shyann Sheehy talk through the recent Construction Leadership Council guidance on a ‘Golden Thread’ of information as part of a new regulatory regime for Higher-Risk Buildings.

Helen Arthur provides an update on an important Court of Appeal ruling in a case concerning the proper construction of termination provisions in a JCT 2016 Design & Build form of Contract.

Laura Campbell and Rachel Murray-Smith discuss school-related construction work and how the summer holidays play a crucial role in keeping construction up-to-date.

Steve Gummer and Steve Cirell rate the new government and its approach to environmental challenges and policy.

David Leach talks through the new worker protection amendment of the Equality Act 2010 in relation to preventing sexual harrasment in the workplace.

Steve Gummer discusses the upcoming focuses of his 'Green Steves' programme, the first of which is solar energy.

Steve Gummer and Elizabeth Withers introduce readers to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) introduced the Great British Energy Bill, and talk through the strategy for this new policy.

Join the Green Steves in this insightful episode featuring Steve Gummer guest expert Manon Derelle, a seasoned professional in energy markets with over a decade of consulting experience.

With a new government avowing to ‘get Britain building’, Michael Comba and David Owens go over the contents of the first King’s Speech of this parliament and share their insight into what comes after.

The King’s Speech on Wednesday, 17 July, launched the plans for the new Labour Government. Whilst there is quite a lot of information to unpack in the government’s plans, David Leach lifts the lid on what to expect from an employment law perspective.

In this second article, Rob Hann, (Head of Local Government at Sharpe Pritchard) sets out some lessons from the development of the PFI investment programme which Labour rolled out between 1997 and 2010 which might help a new local government investment programme as Sir Keir Starmer’s led Government takes power following the 2024 General Election.

Rachel Murray-Smith and Helen Arthur discuss a significant and much-anticipated judgment for the construction industry handed down by the Supreme Court on whether a collateral warranty is a construction contract under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.

Rob Hann looks back at the local government PFI investment programme rolled out between 1997 and 2010 under the successive Blair/Brown led Labour administrations and explores whether there are lessons to be learned for any new local government investment programme as Sir Keir Starmer’s led Labour Government takes power following the 2024 General Election.

In the latest in a series on the different types of power purchase agreements available for local authorities to consider when procuring electricity, Steve Gummer and Tom Knox provide a bitesize snapshot of ‘Sleeved Power Purchase Agreements’ (“Sleeved PPAs”) and why local authorities should consider using them. They also provide a summary of the legal issues that local authorities will need to consider.

Within days of taking office, the Government has ended what was an effective ban on new onshore wind turbines. Steve Gummer and Aakash Vadher look at the change.

With the rules on Flexible Working having changed on 6 April 2024, the remote vs office-based working debate which has been the subject of several workplace disputes and tribunal claims since the Covid-19 pandemic shows no sign of abating. It is therefore important that employers are familiar with the changes having come into force to ensure compliance with any future requests, writes David Leach.

The scope for nuisance claims being brought against water companies has just been expanded and not necessarily clarified by the Supreme Court, says Steve Gummer.

It is almost inevitable that large scale developments will be spatially phased in their build out. Flexibility to accommodate a degree of change is needed to enable larger schemes to proceed in a timely manner, argues Rachel Lee.

Angela Ferguson covers IR35 legisislation and runs viewers through recent employment law changes.

Sarah Wertheim and Francesca Gallagher examine the impact of recent and upcoming changes in EPC legislation on commercial landlords.

Michael Comba and David Owens provide seven top tips on defending smash and grab adjudications.

Steve Gummer and Steve Cirell set out the key considerations for solar installations covering buildings.

How do you deliver major solar installations?

In a recent case the High Court held a company’s articles of association were amended via shareholders’ conduct. This case, which concerned the appointment of directors in a company, highlights the potential for informal actions to amend a company’s constitution, write Sophie Alexander and Elizabeth Withers.