Opinion

Sandra Cassels discusses the recent changes to the law of prescription and their impact on latent defects in construction projects. The expiry of claims for damages in Scotland is regulated by the Prescription & Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. Section 6 of the 1973 Act provides that claims

Jessica Tresham, James Ignotus and Michelle Essen from the construction team at Womble Bond Dickinson share why arbitration is such a popular way of resolving cross-border disputes. Most people in the construction and engineering industry are familiar with the term "international arbitration". They

Paul Raby, Balfour Beatty group HR director and executive committee member, explores Right to Respect and what it means to Balfour Beatty and the wider construction and infrastructure industry. Ours is an industry plagued by historical misconceptions; long heralded as typically male dominated, steep

Experienced business leader and consultant Paul McDevitt showcases the Positive Action Club, a newly launched virtual peer-to-peer support group for decision-makers from the public, private and third sectors. We are entering a period of increased uncertainty and the challenges facing business leader

Kevin Gibb is vice chair of CIOB’s Scotland North Hub and works as a senior building standards surveyor (BSS) at the City of Edinburgh Council. He has been involved in several high-profile projects, including Edinburgh St James Quarter, Meadowbank Stadium, and cancer units at the Western Gener

As part of a series written by the Housing and Place Delivery Forum members reflecting on Scotland’s revised and soon-to-be-adopted fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), Steven Tolson argues that planners will be judged on the outcomes they deliver and that real change will require

In an open letter to the leaders of Scotland's construction and built environment ecosystem, BE-ST CEO Stephen Good calls on them to take action and be bold in their decisions and leadership in order to help ensure Scotland achieves its net zero goals. Dear leaders of Scotland's construction and bui

Stephen Pearson, chair of Financial Inclusion for Scotland, and Carolyn Sawers, chief executive of Corra, launch an initiative where people can help those most in need of support with energy costs.

Legal director Gregor Duthie highlights upcoming deadlines for commercial property owners in Scotland and across the UK. Transparency over the ownership and control of property has long been a point of contention – at times, it has even become a political football. In a bid to clear up some of

Politically and economically, 2022 was a tumultuous year. Despite an encouraging start, by the third quarter it was clear that Scotland’s property sector was being impacted by spiralling inflation, soaring energy costs and increasing interest rates, writes Barry McKeown. Yet, let me recall som

Apprentice Cameron Mustard discusses the importance of bridging the skills gap in the construction sector and providing younger generations with a successful route into the industry through apprenticeships and training opportunities. Recent ONS reports for Scotland’s construction sector show t

Bill Roddie from Spectrum Properties shares his thoughts on what to expect in the property and construction industry in 2023 including a catalogue of challenges to housebuilding and the private rental market. Given the social, political and economic turmoil of the past three years, it would be

AM Bid founder Andrew Morrison unveils what he believes is in store for bids and proposals over the next 12 months. 2022 was the year when the term VUCA really came into its own. The acronym describes a world which is Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous, and most people would now agree with t

With a variety of social issues highlighted by adverts over the festive period, Homes for Scotland chief executive Jane Wood considers why now, more than ever, we should reflect on the role housing has in our society. Supporting everyone’s right to an adequate standard of living and enshrined

Alastair Wallace, senior partner from Thomas & Adamson, reviews 2022 and outlines what he feels lies ahead for the construction industry in the coming year. It was the year that was defined by change and unpredictability. Covid restrictions might have gradually eased and disappeared, but were re