The Building Safety Bill will be in the news over the next few months as it proceeds through Parliament. The Government says the Bill is intended to implement the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, commissioned in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire. The extent to which it does that, and the extent to which it will help building owners and leaseholders who need to improve building fire safety, is highly controversial.
Barristers at 4 Pump Court are involved in the Grenfell Inquiry. We are involved in many pieces of litigation about fire safety which have arisen from inspections carried out in the aftermath of that disaster. We specialise in construction disputes and in particular claims by and against developers, contractors, architects, engineers (including fire engineers) and sub-contractors of all sorts – including cladding and façade designers and installers. We understand the issues that arise in relation to pursuing such claims, including limitation, insolvent defendants, insurance claims, and seeking to act for leaseholders.
As the Bill passes through Parliament we will blog about relevant legal issues. The Bill is concerned with fire safety but it is not limited to that. It seeks to enact major changes to the law on limitation, the regulation of safe building and how the construction industry is managed. The passage of the Bill, and the way in which it is finally enacted, will be of interest to all involved with the construction industry: developers, contractors, subcontractors, professionals, solicitors, insurers and claims consultants. Do bookmark this page, follow us on Linkedin, and stay in touch for the latest news on this important Bill.
Retrospectively changing rights and liabilities As addressed in Luke Wygas‘ note one of the most eye catching changes threatened by the Bill is a retrospective extension of limitation periods running under the Defective Premises Act 1972 from 6 years to 15 years. This could remove accrued limitation defences and re-impose liabilities. It is unusual for […]
20th July 2021
Retrospective Limitation under the Defective Premises Act Some of the most striking legal aspects of the Building Safety Bill (the “Bill”) are that it (a) seeks to extent the remit of the Defective Premises Act 1972 (the “DPA”) and it (b) seeks retrospectively to extend limitation periods under the DPA.In particular, sections 125 and 126 […]
Limitation, Defective Premises Act, Retrospective Extension of Limitation
20th July 2021
For help and advice talk to a member of our clerking team. They can advise on the best options for your matter.
Call: +44 (0) 20 7842 5555