Newsletter
Information for members
June 2007

Previous issue: May 2007 | Next issue: July 2007

Download this newsletter as a PDF file

Are you receiving emails from SCL?

Email reminders for SCL events, and other mailings such as copies of new SCL publications, are sent on a regular basis. Importantly, at the start of the year, it is the only way we can send reminders to members to renew their subscriptions and issue email receipts to those who have paid. However, a small number of members have reported not receiving any SCL emails.

If you are not receiving emails from SCL, the most likely cause is that your IT system is treating them as spam and blocking them. Can we therefore ask you please to check your mail filters, spam folders etc, in case this is where your SCL emails are being trapped.

If you need advice but don't have an IT department to turn to, then Simon Hogg will be happy to help. Simon's email is postman@scl.org.uk

Programme

Unless marked otherwise, the following meetings are free to members and guests. Location maps are now always available on the website.

All are welcome but for those meetings where the organiser’s telephone or email is given, it would be helpful if you could please let them know of your intention to attend.

Tuesday, 5 June 6.30pm
Joint SCL/Society of Construction Arbitrators Meeting
“The Rise and Rise of 'Time-Bar' Clauses: the 'Real Issue' for Construction Arbitrators”
Speaker: Hamish Lal
Chairman: Dr Derek Ross
Venue: National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London SW1

Wednesday, 6 June 6.00pm
Joint SCL/King's College event
“The Great Partnering Debate”
Venue: The Great Hall, King's College, London
Cost: £25 per person (to include drinks reception)
See flyer and booking form attached to this newsletter

Thursday, 7 June 6.00pm
“Global Claims”
Speaker: Jeremy Winter
Chairman: Ian Yule
Venue: Wragge & Co, 55 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3
Organiser: Arul Selvaratnam

Thursday 7 June 6.15pm
"Deciding disputes in adjudication MY WAY"
Speaker: Tony Bingham
Chairman: John Burgess
Venue: Jury's Inn Hotel, Midsummer Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9
Organisers: Judith Bird or Michael Gerard

Tuesday, 19 June 6.15pm
“Adjudicators”
Speaker: Tony Bingham
Chairman: Jocelyn Taylor
Venue: Nottingham Gateway Hotel, Cinderhill, Notts NG8
Organiser: Jocelyn Taylor

Monday, 2 July 6.15pm
“Duties of Care: When and How Much?”
Speaker: Nerys Jefford
Chairman: Professor Anthony Lavers
Venue: National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London SW1

Thursday, 12 July 6.15pm
Junior SCL Boat Trip on the Thames
Tickets cost just £25 each
See separate item below and booking form attached to this newsletter - and available online.
Numbers are limited and places will be allocated on a first pay basis.

SCL Hudson Prize 2007

Following the presentation on Tuesday, 1 st May of the prize-winning papers for 2006 by Julian Bailey and Ronan Champion, the Judging Panel is pleased to invite entries for the 2007 Competition from all entrants with an interest in construction law and an idea which they wish to share. The length of essay is a maximum of 5,000 words and the judging panel places emphasis upon originality of thought and approach.

Eligible subjects can be drawn from any part of construction law widely defined, including (but not restricted to) construction and engineering contracts, contract administration, claims, arbitration and dispute resolution, construction litigation, the law of torts, company law, property law, taxation (although this must be related to construction) and any other aspect of law or procedure relevant to the construction industry. First prize is £1,500, second prize is £750. Entrants can also be highly commended or commended. All who are awarded prizes or commendations receive a year's free membership of the Society.

Past winners have included members of almost all the disciplines relating to construction law including barristers, solicitors (including a trainee) quantity surveyors, engineers, academics, architects, and several hybrids qualified in more than one discipline.

Further details of the competition, the closing date for which is 4 th January 2008, can be obtained from the website. Any queries can be referred to me via Jackie Morris in the first instance. Good luck to all entrants.

Anthony Lavers
Chair of the Judging Panel

Regional Coordinator for Belfast

With regret, Patricia White has had to resign as the Regional Coordinator for Belfast. We are sorry to lose her. We are now therefore in need of a new Coordinator for this region. If you would like to put your name forward to take over the role, or need more information about what it would involve before doing so, please email Frances Whitehead at franceswhitehead@scl.org.uk

Opportunities for Sponsorship - SCL International Conference 2008

As previously reported, the Society of Construction Law is delighted to be hosting the 2008 International Construction Law Conference in London. The conference will be held between 5th and 7th October 2008 with a welcoming event on the Sunday evening, a gala dinner on the Monday evening and the President's reception on the Tuesday evening so please make a note in your diaries. 

This event will attract many high profile speakers and SCL members and delegates from around the world. In order to ensure its success the SCL will be making available a limited number of elite sponsorship packages. If any of you would be interested in discussing sponsorship packages for this prestigious event please contact Francis Whitehead at franceswhitehead@scl.org.uk

Centre of Construction Law, King's College London : Thursday, 12 July 2007

An afternoon conference entitled “Adjudication: Intensely practical issues” will be held at the Edmond J Safra Lecture Theatre, Strand Campus from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. The speakers will be Mr Justice Ramsey QC, HHJ Anthony Thornton QC, Professor Phillip Capper, John Marrin QC, Simon Tolson and Tony Bingham. The event will be Chaired by Nicholas Gould. A discount rate is available for SCL members, see the flyer/booking form enclosed with this newsletter and also on the website.

Please note : The two events must be booked separately but, if you wish to do so, the timings make it perfectly possible to attend the afternoon conference at King's College, then take the 5 minute walk to Temple Pier to go on the Junior Boat Trip! (see below)

Junior Boat Trip on the Thames : Thursday, 12 July 2007

The Junior Committee of the Society of Construction Law in association with MatRICS and King's College Construction Law Association present the third joint Junior organisations' boat trip on the River Thames. A champagne reception will be followed by drinks and a finger buffet as the ‘Golden Jubilee' travels from Temple Pier down river towards Docklands. Tickets cost £25 each. A booking form is enclosed with this newsletter and is available on the website. For any further information, contact Frances Whitehead on 01708 731 476 or email franceswhitehead@scl.org.uk

Booking preference for any of the organised Junior events is always given to those who are registered as Junior Members . If you are under 40 or new to the world of construction law, then you can register as a junior member, which is easy to do, as follows:

Log onto the SCL website www.scl.org.uk using your username and password (if you have forgotten what they are, Admin can help). Click on ‘Members' and then click the 'Junior members' link on the left. You will find an explanation of Junior Membership, and a simple form to register. You do not need to enter your name/details – these are already recognised by the website after you logged in; you only need to confirm your eligibility by giving either your date of birth, or stating that you are junior in your area of expertise.

Papers

Enclosed with this newsletter is a copy of the latest SCL publication: “Temporary Disconformity Revisited ” by Ellis Baker and Anthony Lavers. Copies have been emailed to all overseas e-members and it is also available in PDF format on the Publications section of the website (paper number 139).

Three other papers have recently been put on the website and can be found in the Publications section:

"A View from across the Pond: An American Perspective on the SCL Delay and Disruption Protocol" by Richard H Lowe, Evans M Barba and Gregory B Lare (D78);

"Complex Construction Contracts: Who Needs Them? Who Benefits?" by Michael Craik and Ben Patten (D77)

"Tenders and Public Procurement: Recent Developments in EU and Irish Law" by Finola McCarthy (D76).

Ethics

The UK anti-corruption forum has published its 6th newsletter. It has also published 

• an Anti-Corruption Training Manual
• a discussion paper on Debarment Procedures

A copy of the newsletter and these two documents can be obtained from the forum's web site at   www.anticorruptionforum.org.uk

Singapore Conference 2007

The Law Society of Singapore and SCL Singapore will jointly be holding their 3 rd Annual Construction Law Conference at the Grand Plaza Park Hotel City Hall on Tuesday, 17 July 2007. The full day Conference will bring together well-known practitioners in construction law and practice for a discussion on recent developments and current issues affecting the construction industry, as well as in-depth sessions on handling technical evidence and workplace health and safety. Preferential rates will be given to SCL members. The brochure giving full details of session times and speakers and the registration form are on the SCL website. For further details contact June Tan at junetan@lawsoc.org.sg

SCL Members Directory

The SCL Members Directory will be printed in July and a copy will be posted to all full members.

The Directory is generated from the membership database, so it is important that the database is as up to date as possible. Could you therefore please:

• Check that the contact details we have for you are correct (postal address, telephone, fax and email). You can log into the website and check your own details, or ask Admin to do it for you.
• Tell Admin if you do NOT want your contact details to be printed in the Directory.

Centre of Construction Law, King's College London: Certificate in Construction Adjudication

New post-experience part-time taught programme: first intake September 2007

• New eight-month (September-April) Certificate programme, for existing and would-be adjudicators and advisers to parties to adjudications – qualified lawyers and construction professionals
• Four taught modules, covering the basic legal principles applicable to construction, the special features of construction law and adjudication procedure
• Includes a mock adjudication and decision-drafting exercises
• Tuition in London on ten to twelve full days each term, mostly Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays – accessible to those outside London
• Academic staff led by Professor Phillip Capper, Nicholas Gould and John Barber, supported by other leading practitioners
• Unique specialist library; online facilities also available to students
• Most teaching shared with the prestigious London MSc in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution: credits can later be used towards the MSc
• Discount on fees for SCL and Adjudication Society members

Applicants must have a degree and/or acceptable professional qualifications, plus significant relevant experience.

For further information, contact Sue Hart on 020 7848 2643 or email susan.hart@kcl.ac.ukor Linda Jones on 020 7848 268 or email linda.jones@kcl.ac.uk

How to register on the website as a member

In order to get members' access to the website you must register online as a member. Registration is easy.

Go to the website homepage www.scl.org.uk click Member Registration (listed below the Member Login box on the right hand side of the homepage) and enter your details and a username and password of your own choosing. Your membership number is also asked for (if you don't know it, then admin can tell you).

Thereafter, you can simply log onto the website using your username and password. When you log in you will see a navigation link to 'Members' which is where you can update your contact details, email subscriptions and data protection information – and where you can choose to have the newsletter emailed to you instead of (or as well as) receiving it by post. This is where you can also search for information about other SCL members who have agreed for their data to be accessible to other members on the website – the total of those who have given permission is now nearly 1,000 members.

The website is constantly being improved.  If you have any questions, problems or suggestions, please contact our webmaster, Edward Peters, at webmaster@scl.org.uk

New Members

Finally, we are pleased to welcome the new members who joined the Society during May:

Rachel Ansell, London
Helen Baker, Ahmadi, Kuwait
David Bebb, London
Len Bunton, Dunblane
Timothy Craig, Birmingham
Laura Crowley, London
Sally Davies, London
Alistair Dean, Edinburgh
Jonathan Douglas, London
Charlotte Ellis, London
Kimberley Eyssell, Guildford
Michael Graham, Dubai, UAE
Robert Hearnden, East Sussex
Nick Henchie, London
Alexander Hickey, London
Christopher Hoar, London
Fleur Hudson, Perth, Australia
David Jones, Sibiu, Romania
Timothy Kinney, Dublin
Ramesh Kurup, London
Liam Lakes, London
James Leabeater, London
Kate Livesey, London
Deependra Malla, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Stephen Mangan, Middlesex
Michael Meeson, London
Emmet Moore, Watford
Rob Morson, Johannesburg, South Africa
Terence Nickolls, Hertfordshire
Thomas Oakden, London
Ann O'Connell, Glasgow
Louise Randall, London
Peter Sheridan, Surrey
Peter Spencer, Bangkok, Thailand
Stuart Thwaites, Sheffield
Elizabeth Tooth, Cambridge
David Toscano, London
Roxani Tsiridou, London
Victoria Tyson, Middlesex
Senerath Wetthasinghe, Dubai, UAE
Christiaan Zwart, London

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