In recent news, The Irish Times revealed that 70% of Irish construction firms have cut exposure to the UK ahead of Brexit and have begun looking for new opportunities elsewhere in mainland Europe. Like most other industries, Brexit has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the construction industry, with the risk of currency volatility looking to be one of the industry’s main issues for longer-term projects.

Standards within the construction industry are constantly being reviewed to ensure building works comply with regulations and quality expectations. However, despite the efforts taken to meet or exceed these standards, there will still always be complaints forthcoming. Many architects and contractors may see this as an unjustified attack on their good name, or a tactic to avoid payment. This may spur them to defend their business by ‘having it out’ with the complainant.

Considering the significant amount of our time we spend outside of our own homes – in offices and in public buildings such as schools, hospitals and shops – we’d hope that all the materials and equipment of which they’re comprised are safe from fire hazards and other risks, writes Koen ter Linde, Vice President of enterprise in Europe, CommScope.

GPT Waste has recently launched its latest White Paper for the construction sector. The White Paper, ‘Cost savings for the construction industry, delivered through targeting the volume of waste produced’, seeks to educate the expanding construction sector of the savings that are available through improved waste management.

Gullands’ construction department has once again been commended in Chambers & Partners 2017. David Brown has received a Band 2 ranking as a ‘Leading Individual’ and in the Legal 500 is described as “adept at handling adjudications and assisting with JCT contracts”. Here, David looks at second adjudication valuation cases.