Adjudication, Fraud and Stays of Execution

The Court of Appeal has endorsed a first instance decision by the Technology and Construction Court (“TCC”) granting a stay of execution on new grounds. In the context of adjudication enforcement, the leading guidance is set out in the case […]

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Enforceability of Liquidated Damages

In the recent case of GPP Big Field LLP & Anor (“GPP”) v Solar EPC Solutions SL (“Solar”) [2018] the Commercial Court considered a number of issues relating to the enforceability of liquidated damages, an issue which commonly arises in […]

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In Breach, But at What Cost? Force Majeure, Causation and Damages

The recent Judgment of the Commercial Court in Classic Maritime Inc. (“CMI”) v Limbungan Makmur SDN BHD & Anor (“Limbungan”) [2018] examines the role of causation when defending a matter on the grounds of force majeure. The Judgment also includes […]

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Economic Torts And Piercing The Corporate Veil – Can You Make A Claim Against Former Directors?

In the recent case of Palmer Birch (A Partnership) v Lloyd & Anor [2018], the TCC considered the requirements to establish economic torts as causes of action and whether a contractor was entitled to pursue the individuals behind an insolvent […]

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Challenges to Enforcement: No Breach of Natural Justice

This is the latest dispute between Vinci Construction UK Ltd (“Vinci”) and Beumer Group UK Ltd (“Beumer”) to arise out of a Sub-Contract concerning development works at Gatwick Airport. In this case, Beumer sought to resist enforcement of an adjudicator’s […]

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No Greater Liability Clauses and Collateral Warranties – When Does Limitation Expire?

Generally, claims brought outside the relevant limitation period will not be entertained by the courts. It is crucial therefore that parties know the date by which they must bring a claim. In the recent case of Swansea Stadium Management Company […]

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Contract Interpretation: Terms Will Not Be Implied Simply Because It May Appear Fair To Do So

The test for implying contractual terms was set out by the Supreme Court in Marks & Spencer Plc v BNP Paribas Securities Services Trust Co (Jersey) Ltd. Whilst that case settled what the test is, the application of that test […]

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Can a Party Set-Off Against an Adjudicator’s Decision?

Disputes regarding set-off against an adjudicator’s award are rare in enforcement proceedings. However, in the recent case of MI Electrical Solutions Limited (“MI”) v Elements (Europe) Limited (“Elements”) the court considered this very point. The decision highlights the difficulties which […]

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Interpreting Contracts: The Need for Clear Words

The principles governing the interpretation of contracts have been the subject of several recent cases in the Supreme Court and whilst those principles may now be settled it is clear that the application of them is far from simple. In […]

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Exclusion Clauses: Incorporation and Reasonableness

In our article in May 2017 we considered the case of Goodlife Foods Limited (“Goodlife”) v Hall Fire Protection Limited (“Hall”) which concerned a widely drafted exclusion clause. In a unanimous decision, the Court of Appeal has now upheld that […]

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