Consultant appointment clauses

The clause bank for construction lawyers brings together examples of the most commonly used clauses from construction contracts. The clauses are drafted for construction practitioners together with drafting notes giving guidance on how these clauses should be used. The clauses are arranged alphabetically

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Construction News

Scottish Government launches consultation on fire safety regulations

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to building regulations and fire safety guidance, stemming from recommendations made by an expert panel following the Cameron House hotel fire. The review process has already led to short-term measures, including amended guidance promoting automatic fire suppression systems in historic hotel conversions and new local authority notification requirements. The consultation now seeks views on longer-term proposals, such as mandating automatic fire suppression in historic building hotel conversions and addressing special risks in existing hotels, including hidden voids and historic construction techniques. These proposed changes aim to enhance fire safety standards in Scottish buildings, particularly focusing on traditional structures used for hotel accommodation. The consultation closes on 7 March 2025.

No reliance on advice meant that claim for damages for negligence failed (Darcliffe Homes v Glanville Consultants)

Construction analysis: The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) dismissed a claim for damages for professional negligence by a property developer against a consultant engineer after finding that the engineer had failed to act with reasonable skill and care, because the property developer had not relied on the advice given and would not have done anything differently had non-negligent advice been given. The court held that the property developer had failed to establish a sufficient nexus between a particular element of the harm for which it sought damages and the subject matter of the engineering company’s duty of care.

Built environment industry bodies react to updated NPPF

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published an updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which outlines the government's planning policies for England, emphasising the achievement of sustainable development through three interdependent objectives: economic, social, and environmental. The new NPPF has also elicited varied responses from built environment industry bodies.

DESNZ publishes Clean Power 2030 Action Plan

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced a new Clean Power Action Plan aimed at achieving clean power in the UK by 2030. The plan outlines reforms to the energy system, including measures to streamline grid connections, prioritise critical projects, and accelerate planning processes. Key elements include cleaning up the dysfunctional grid system, bringing onshore wind farms larger than 100MW back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime in England, and introducing a Planning and Infrastructure Bill to expedite critical infrastructure delivery. The government also plans to expand the renewable auction process and implement pro-consumer reforms to provide households with more choice and access to cheaper energy tariffs. These measures are designed to unlock £40b annually in private investment for clean power projects and infrastructure, while addressing energy security and affordability concerns. Chris Stark has been appointed as head of Clean Power 2030, leading a new mission control within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The government has also commissioned the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to provide independent expert advice on delivering the 2030 clean power goal. These measures aim to enhance energy security, reduce consumer costs, and support the UK's transition to net zero emissions.