Law in Practice

Intensely practical and clearly written, Law in Practice: the RIBA Legal Handbook is the RIBA's jargon-free, professional guide to the law as it relates to a construction project. This second edition is fully up-to-date with all recent changes in legislation and the new RIBA Plan of Work 2013. Functioning both as a quick reference as well as an intelligent guide to complex issues, Law in Practice gives both students and practicing architects alike the tools to work through and argue issues of construction law for themselves, shedding light on potential pitfalls and pointing out wherever specialist advice is needed. It addresses all the fundamental issues of contemporary English construction law, allowing architects to make sound judgements, avoid disputes, and run projects on a safer basis. Why does an appointment need to be written? What is a novation? What does an overall cap on liability mean, and how can you convince a client to agree one? When should you notify your insurer of a potential claim? Law in Practice answers all of these questions and many more. Basic principles, high concepts and hard cases are worked through in plain English, step-by-step as they arise throughout a project, with key legal mechanisms illustrated as simple line drawings. Praise for the first edition: 'A must-read piece of CPD and an important practice information resource: it takes a practical and straightforward approach to explaining the complexities of the law as it relates to the work of architects.' Angela Brady, RIBA President 'What makes this book particularly valuable is that it goes much further than an accessible guide to the law: it explains its subtleties and implications as they impact on the professional life of the architect.' Nick Mirchandani, Director, ArchitecturePLB 'A core reference material for architects in an era of austerity where it is important that risks are managed and indeed are in line with the level of fee agreed.' Dale Sinclair, Director, Dyer.