Building Blocks: Developments for the UK construction industry | August 2026
Published on 3rd August 2026
Welcome to Building Blocks – Osborne Clarke's regular round-up of Insights relevant to construction industry clients
Insights
Construction and infrastructure
English High Court confirms the broad reach of building liability orders
A German parent company has been held jointly and severally liable for its UK subsidiary's defective cladding system by the Technology and Construction Court in the first building liability order to be granted by default judgment.
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English High Court refuses stay and appeal in landmark building liability order ruling
The latest judgment in the Crest v Ardmore litigation makes clear that defendants face an uphill battle to unwind a building liability order once made.
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Wales legislates for broader building safety remediation powers
Wales has enacted building safety remediation legislation that largely follows England's Building Safety Act 2022, but diverges from it in several ways that carry significant implications for those with interests in Welsh buildings.
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Updated Technology and Construction Court Guide delivers dedicated Building Safety Act and AI guidelines for proceedings in England and Wales
The latest edition of the court guide addresses procedural issues that may arise during Building Safety Act claims and provides additional guidance on the use of AI.
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UK government consults on the VAT treatment of land intended for social housing
HMRC has published a consultation on the VAT treatment of land intended for the construction of new social housing which proposes to introduce zero-rating at the point of the bare land sale in specific circumstances, earlier in the development process than is currently possible.
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Beyond memorials: will AI re-engineer arbitration’s written phase?
As artificial intelligence becomes capable of processing, organising and interrogating complex factual material at scale, might it not only change how efficiently the participants each conduct their own roles in an arbitration but also force a more profound structural change in the written phase of the arbitral process? This question was discussed recently on a panel moderated by Robert Hunter at the ICC Germany Arbitration Day 2026 in Frankfurt and it is one that has the potential to move rapidly into the mainstream of arbitration practice.
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More topics you may be interested in
Planning, environment and energy
Environment | UK Regulatory Outlook July 2026
M&A and company law
M&A in uncertain times: a UK perspective
UK Crime and Policing Act 2026 widens corporate criminal liability to all offences
UK publishes draft legislation for new Securities Transfer Tax
Health and safety
Health and safety | UK Regulatory Outlook July 2026
Procurement
Regulated procurement | UK Regulatory Outlook July 2026
Employment
Extended UK right to work checks for staffing suppliers and platforms come into force this autumn
Employment, contingent workforce and immigration | UK Regulatory Outlook July 2026
ESG
ESG Knowledge Update | July 2026
Environmental, social and governance | UK Regulatory Outlook July 2026
Modern slavery | UK Regulatory Outlook July 2026
Upcoming events
Future of Infrastructure Event 2026
22 September | One Birdcage Walk | 16:00 - 20:00
This year’s theme, “Delivery at Scale: Building the Next Generation of Critical Infrastructure”, will focus on the central challenge now facing the sector: how to turn political commitments, net zero targets and long-term strategies into funded, consented and buildable projects – at scale.
The event will feature:
- Keynote address – setting out the current landscape for infrastructure delivery and the opportunities ahead.
- Panel discussion with senior industry participants from across key asset classes, focusing on real world experience of getting projects from vision to operation.
- Audience Q&A and networking drinks, offering the opportunity to test ideas, compare notes with peers and speak directly with our speakers and Osborne Clarke specialists.
Register now >
