Construction Law & Practice: Shaping New Developments into Solution-Focused Answers for Your Clients

Programme

1. 09:30

   Registration and coffee

2. 10:00

   Chair's Introduction

   Construction law: Shaping new developments into solution-focused answers for your clients

   Chaired by Jonathan Hosie, Mayer Brown

   Jonathan is "one of the UK's pre-eminent construction lawyers: his expertise rivals anyone." He chaired working groups for Constructing Excellence and JCT.

3. 10:10

   Contractual liability caps

   What counts and will sway a court over the proper construction of contractual liability caps following the spate of recent cases?

   Answered by Marion Smith KC, 39 Essex Chambers

   Marion "distils complex themes and extensive documentation into something that is unfailingly understandable." She is fully versed in all the standard form contracts.

4. 10:45

   Fire safety principles

   How can you deal with and curtail legal difficulties with fire safety principles in light of Shepherd Construction v Kingspan, and where will future challenges come from?

   Answered by Steven Walker KC, Atkin Chambers

   Steven acted for the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts over the redevelopment of a Grade II listed building. “He is responsive, easy to work with, open-minded, pragmatic and extremely clever.”

5. 11:20

   Morning Coffee

6. 11:35

   Tiered dispute resolution clauses

   What are the wider implications of recent cases, including Kajima Construction v Children’s Ark Partnership, and how will market practice change?

   Answered by James Leabeater KC, 4 Pump Court

   James is "an absolute star, ferociously intelligent, with the best of judgment and real courage in his convictions." He is Co-author of “Civil Appeals: Principles and Procedure.”

7. 12:10

   Mediation and CPR

   What is the impact for mediation of Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil and the new amendments to the CPR, and how will client advice change?

   Answered by Isabel Hitching KC, Crown Office Chambers

   Isabel is a member of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee and worked with Asplin LJ to draft the new rules. “She is a superb strategist and is particularly good in cases that are a bit novel and different.”

8. 12:45

   Overrun

9. 13:00

   Lunch

10. 13:45

    Building safety remedies

    In border-line cases, what factors will tip the balance when arguing for Remediation Contribution Orders and Building Liability Orders under the Building Safety Act?

    Answered by David Pliener KC, Gatehouse Chambers

    David acted in a £20 million claim over defective redevelopment works to a prestigious London development. "He is a case winner, a problem solver and a star silk in the making.”

11. 14:20

    JCT 2024 revisions

    How do you steer your clients through the 2024 revisions to the JCT suite of contracts supported by real-life examples of successful implementation?

    Answered by Victoria Peckett, Clyde & Co

    Victoria is Chair of the drafting committee for the JCT. She is “razor-sharp”, “incredibly clued-up” and "absolutely excellent". She handles contentious and non-contentious work for clients such as Shell.

12. 14:55

    Collateral warranties

    How far can you stretch liability under Collateral Warranties and what are the consequences for clients of the Abbey Healthcare v Simply Construct litigation?

    Answered by Ben Patten KC, 4 New Square

    Ben is "at the top of his game - three jumps ahead." “You can throw anything at him with absolute confidence.” He is the Co-Editor of "Liability of Construction Professionals."

13. 15:30

    Over-run

14. 16:00

    Close of conference