I recently joined members of 39 Essex Chambers for a webinar on the latest changes to building safety. The new Building Safety Act stems from the outcomes of the Grenfell enquiry and brings substantial changes to construction law.
We discussed a range of issues, from the structure of the new Building Safety Act, to changes to limitation periods, and the changes in terms of liability for those involved in the construction and development process.
David Hopkins outlines the structure of the new act. He also discusses the process involved in the implementation of that act.
David Sawtell covers issues of liability and the potential increase in those to whom a duty is owed. New duties are imposed prospectively, but limitation periods are applied retrospectively, which may have implications for existing projects.
Samantha Jones looks at the role of the Building Safety Regulator, and its wide-ranging scope. The regulator has a short time before it takes responsibility for around 12,500 buildings. Their responsibility is to oversee regulation and building control, assist and encourage industry competence, and to lead the implementation of regulations and become the building control regulator in relation to high-rise buildings.
My own contribution looks at the potential effects of the act. Possibly one of the largest and most serious statutory interventions in the construction sector. I examine the potential outcomes and where arguments and discussions might arise as a result of the act.