The Architect's Legal Handbook is the most widely used reference on the law for practicing architects and the established textbook on law for architectural students.
Since the last edition of this book in 2010, the legal landscape in which architecture is practised has changed significantly: the long-standing procurement model with an architect as contract administrator has been challenged by the growing popularity of design and build contracts, contract notices in place of certificates, and novation of architect’s duties.
The tenth edition features all the latest developments in the law which affect an architect's work, as well as providing comprehensive coverage of relevant UK law topics. Key highlights of this edition include:
- an overview of the legal environment, including contract, tort, and land law;
- analysis of the statutory framework, including planning law, health and safety, construction legislation, and building regulations in the post-Grenfell legal landscape;
- procurement and the major industry construction contract forms;
- building dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, adjudication, and mediation;
- key fields for the architect in practice, including architects’ registration and professional conduct, contracts with clients and collateral warranties, liability in negligence, and insurance;
- entirely new chapters on various standard form contracts, architects’ responsibility for the work of others, disciplinary proceedings, and data protection;
- tables of cases, legislation, statutes, and statutory instruments give a full overview of references cited in the text.
The Architect’s Legal Handbook is the essential legal reference work for all architects and students of architecture.
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Anthony Speaight QC – Barrister, in practice at 4 Pump Court, Temple, London. Bencher of Middle Temple. His publications include The Law of Defective Premises (co-author) and the Butterworths Professional Negligence Service (contributor). Anthony is a past member of the Council of the Society of Construction Law, past chairman of the Editorial Board of Counsel, Journal of the Bar of England & Wales, and past Chairman of the Bar Council’s Access to the Bar Committee. He acts as a supervisor of dissertations at the King’s College London Centre of Construction Law. He is an accredited Adjudicator and trained Mediator.
Matthew Thorne – Barrister, in practice at 4 Pump Court, Temple, London, and member of Inner Temple. He is on the committee of the Technology and Construction Bar Association, chairman of Junior TECBAR, and a member of the Society of Construction Law and Professional Negligence Bar Association. He is ranked in the legal directories as a leading junior in Construction and Professional Negligence. He has been a co-author of LexisPSL Adjudication and is the author of Becoming a Barrister. He is an accredited Adjudicator.
Review
Praise for previous editions:
'Probably the most important legal book for architects.' - Architect's Journal
'A must for every practice. A handbook that should be readily accessible to every responsible architect.' - Architect and Surveyor
'This popular reference book for both practitioners and students has been prepared by a team of eminent contributors and encompasses the general principles of law, building contracts, statutory rights and the architect in practice.' - The ASI Journal
'The Architect's Legal Handbook serves to make us aware of those areas in which the law overlaps with architectural practice and all the more easily avoid those pitfalls that trap the unwary. As a combination legal primer and security blanket this is an essential purchase for both Part III candidates and architects alike.' - Peter Robinson Arias, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland journal (RIAS)
Praise for the 10th edition:
"… the standard text of choice for architectural students and practitioners alike … I welcome this latest edition as a valuable source for architects in practice." - Mrs Justice O’Farrell DBE, Judge in Charge, Technology and Construction Court