Following on from our latest column article in which Zahra Siddiqui provided a review as to what happens if you die without a will, Zahra has now updated the position regarding inheritance tax (IHT) planning following on from the announcement by the Chancellor in his Pre-Budget Statement.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 2.2 million people work in Britain’s construction industry which is the country’s biggest industry. The HSE says it is also one of the most dangerous industries with over 2,800 people having died from injuries they have received as a result of construction work in the last 25 years.

A variety of topics have been covered in recent months and with the extensive media coverage of the design of the Olympic logo we now touch on issues surrounding logos, design rights and copyright.

It is a frequent news headline that there may be health risks for those who live or work in close proximity to a mobile phone mast. As you may be involved on projects that involve mobile phone masts a summary of the current position is outlined below. While the risks have not been conclusively proved, for those who have rented a part of their land to a mobile phone operator this can be a concern and it seems likely that more and more property owners will seek to remove masts from their land.

A divorce will almost inevitably mean that changes will be needed to the family business. In an ideal world, these changes will be made at an early stage with an eye on proper tax planning for an efficient outcome. The tax status of a married couple changes with the end of the marriage and on divorce.

In an ideal world for the employer all projects would be defect free. Unfortunately for Mr Employer, we don’t always live in an ideal world and defects do arise. How should such defects be dealt with?

Public sector procurement is covered in the press on a daily basis. You too may be in the process of tendering for work in the public or private sector which may include gaining prequalification. Set out below is a summary of the Constructonline process.

Introduction

In October we outlined a brief glossary of general construction terms. A popular term is of course, liquidated and ascertained damages (LAD’s). Set out below is a summary of LAD’s which are a common way of dealing with delay in construction and engineering projects.

Last month we outlined the role of the expert in the Technology and Construction Court (the TCC) and provided a guide to expert statements. With the start of the new Court term, and a number of new trainees in the office, we thought it would be helpful to outline below a brief glossary of general construction terms. Apologies in advance as this glossary is intended to be of assistance to our new starters and an aide memoir to the rest of us.

Last month we outlined the role of the Technology and Construction Court (the TCC) and in particular summarised the recently issued annual report which includes details of the TCC's organisation, reform measures and its work. Following on from that summary, and in view of the increasing number of engineers now instructed to act as experts, outlined below is a brief guide to expert statements for use in a TCC case.

Whilst litigation may not be at the forefront of your minds, it may be helpful to have an understanding of the role of the Technology and Construction Court (the TCC). Relevantly, the TCC has recently issued its annual report which includes details of the court's organisation, reform measures and the work of the TCC. Outlined below is a summary of the report.

In the March column we referred to the DTI launch of the new Sustainable Construction Strategy consultation. The aim being to provide the Government with a framework to guide future progress in the construction industry. Launched on 2 February by the Rt. Hon Alun Michael, in the form of a draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction Report 2006 it aims to seek the views of key construction stakeholders.

As far as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) was concerned (made in June 2005) the new year announcement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was that the planned April 2006 introduction of the new fire safety rules affecting all non-domestic premises in England and Wales would be deferred. The aim being to give business and stakeholders more time to prepare and also to allow the Government to release guidance documents in advance of the legislation taking effect. The ODPM has now announced that the new rules will come into force on 1 October 2006.

Most of you either currently tender for work or will request tenders for your projects. I have discovered that as I can spend a significant amount of my time working on projects for a particular client that I could be transferred to a new employer. I have also discovered that as George Davies tenders for construction law work, the firm could potentially inherit all the employees of the outgoing provider. Naturally, this is of concern and particularly relevant given the popularity of tendering in the Construction Industry. As this could happen to all of us, I have sought advice from my employment colleague, Alan Lewis Partner at George Davies, and we have set out his main comments below. Read on for some background information and top tips.

At the beginning of February the DTI launched a new consultation that aims to provide the Government with a framework to guide future progress in the construction industry. It was launched on 2 February by the Rt. Hon Alun Michael, Minister of State for Industry and the Regions. This new consultation in the form of a draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction Report 2006 aims to seek the views of key construction stakeholders. The terms of reference will be a review of the direction that they think the industry should take with the aim to develop and maintain a more sustainable future.

On 16 January new government proposals aiming to improve payments to firms in the construction industry were published by Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP and Edwina Hart, the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration.

The Management of Energy in Buildings Bill (the Bill), sponsored by Dr Alan Whitehead MP aims to increase the development of domestic microgeneration (the generation of energy (electricity and heat) by individual consumers or small groups of consumers) through amendments to the current planning laws and building regulations.