The Construction Briefing – A Practical Law Podcast

This episode marks the final instalment of The Construction Briefing podcast. After four years and eight months, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction sign off with a final update, focused on building safety, litigation and late payment reforms. In this episode, they cover the UK government's latest consultation on relaxing gateway two requirements on existing higher-risk buildings (starts at 2.10), the Building Safety Regulator's 2026-27 strategic plan (starts at 5.12) and the key developments for construction law practitioners in the year ahead (starts at 08.08). They also examine two recent TCC judgments (starts at 16.18): Crest Nicholson Regeneration Ltd v Ardmore Construction Ltd [2026] EWHC 789 (TCC) and Laing O'Rourke Delivery Ltd v Shepperton Studios Ltd [2026] EWHC 612 (TCC), before moving on to the government's response to its 2025 late payment consultation that, crucially, includes proposals to ban construction retentions (starts at 31.49). Finally, Michelle and Yassir wrap up the episode (and the podcast as a whole) with Kaley Botting as host, in a heartfelt conversation reflecting on their experience of producing and hosting the podcast (starts at 40.02).

In this episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments, including the UK and Welsh governments' annual progress reports (starts at 00.35), Wales' deviated approach for gateway two applications (starts at 01.49), the Senedd's passage of the Building Safety (Wales) Bill (starts at 03.21) and the Building Safety Regulator's (BSR) new remediation improvement plan (starts at 11.33). The episode also covers the UK government's construction products consultations (starts at 13.16), the judgment in GS Woodland Court GP 1 Ltd v RGCM Ltd [2026] EWHC 351 (TCC) (starts at 23.58), the British Standards Institution's building information modelling (BIM) standards consultation (starts at 32.34) and NISTA's updated infrastructure pipeline and Whole Life Carbon Management Handbook (starts at 40.45).

In this episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments, including government plans for a new single construction regulator (starts at 00.37) and consultation on relaxing building regulations compliance for telecommunications work (starts at 06.30), before moving on to construction litigation. Key judgments covered include Providence Building Services Ltd v Hexagon Housing Association Ltd [2026] UKSC 1 (starts at 13.49), Paragon Group Ltd v FK Facades Ltd [2026] EWHC 78 (TCC) (starts at 22.49) and Darchem Engineering Ltd v Bouygues Travaux Publics [2026] EWHC 220 (TCC) (starts at 35.50).

In this episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction kick off 2026 with an overview of what to expect in construction law this year. On building safety, the podcast covers building control reforms in England (starts at 01.04), the single construction regulator consultation (starts at 11.02), the Building Safety Act 2022 rollout in Wales (starts at 14.13), as well as several upcoming appeals concerning remediation costs (starts at 18.53). Other topics include late payment reforms (starts at 31.57), AI in construction contracts (starts at 38.10) and Providence Building Services Ltd and Hexagon Housing Association Ltd (starts at 48.20).

In their final episode of 2025, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction cover the Autumn Budget 2025 (starts at 00.40) and the latest building safety developments, including the Building Safety Levy Regulations 2025 (starts at 06.17) and the Welsh Government's proposals for higher-risk buildings and social public works clauses (starts at 09.44), before moving on to discuss the case High Tech Construction Ltd v WLP Trading and Marketing Ltd [2025] EWHC 3209 (TCC) (starts at). Finally, they conclude the podcast with updates relating to AI (starts at 30.10), the Disclosure Review Working Group (starts at 40.59) and NISTA (starts at 44.51).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the collapse of several building control firms (starts at 00.48) and the Building Safety Regulator's upcoming transition to independence (starts at 06.11), before moving on to examine the pitfalls of payment notices in the judgment Vision Construct Ltd v Gypcraft Drylining Contractors Ltd [2025] EWHC 2707 (TCC) (starts at 15.07). Finally, they wrap up the podcast with the launches of ICE's specialist adjudication scheme for "smash and grab" payment disputes (starts at 23.54) and NEC's new digital contracts service (starts at 29.37).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction start the discussion with the government's second progress report on the Grenfell Tower public inquiry recommendations (starts at 00.36) before moving on to the judgment in Construction Muzzy Ltd v Davis Construction (South East) Ltd [2025] EWHC 2258 (TCC) (starts at 18.46). They also highlight the latest news in the long-running litigation involving Providence Building Services Ltd and Hexagon Housing Association Ltd (starts at 24.08) before ending the podcast with a brief analysis of the judge's use of generative AI in Evans v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2025] UKFTT 1112 (TC) (starts at 40.00).

In their latest podcast, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood of Practical Law Construction discuss recent developments in building safety, including new building regulations coming into effect on 7 October 2025 (starts at 00.41) and Welsh developer remediation contracts (starts at 02.20). They also analyse the judgments in Clegg Food Projects Ltd v Prestige Car Direct Properties Ltd [2025] EWHC 2173 (TCC) (starts at 07.54) and RNJM Ltd v Purpose Social Homes Ltd [2025] EWHC 2224 (TCC) (starts at 19.10), before briefly mentioning NISTA (starts at 29.38) and the upcoming launch of an AI arbitrator for documents-only construction cases in the USA (starts at 33.13).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments, including new guidance on gateway 2 applications (starts at 01.18) and the draft Building Safety Levy regulations (starts at 04.39), before moving on to the government's proposed reform to retention clauses (starts at 08.38) and the judgment in RBH Building Contractors Ltd v James [2025] EWHC 2005 (TCC) (starts at 23.12). Finally, they end with a brief update on the Arbitration Act 2025 and other construction-related bills (starts at 31.13).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss discuss the latest building safety developments, including the challenges facing the Building Safety Regulator (starts at 00.34) and the Welsh government's forthcoming legislation (starts at 09.08). They also return to the Supreme Court's decision in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2025] UKSC 21 (starts at 11.05). Moreover, they briefly discuss the final judgment in the Toppam/Abbey v Simply litigation, Toppan Holdings Ltd and another v Augusta 2008 LLP [2025] EWHC 1691 (TCC) (starts at 13.41), which relates to Abbey's court claim for breach of contract, before mentioning the JCT's release of its final 2024 Edition contracts (starts at 18.24). They also mention the judgment in London Eco Homes Ltd v Raise Now Ealing Ltd [2025] EWHC 1505 (TCC) (starts at 22.32), before finally discussing leaseholder issues in Triathlon Homes LLP v Stratford Village Development Partnership [2025] EWCA Civ 846 (starts at 29.19).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the Supreme Court's decision in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2025] UKSC 21 (starts at 01.07) before moving on to consider the judgment in Monier Road Ltd v Nicholas Alexander Blomfield and other leaseholders [2025] UKUT 157 (LC) (starts at 27.23) and the government's progress report on the Grenfell Tower public inquiry recommendations (starts at 33.57). They also return to the topic of false citations in court documents and discuss the Divisional Court's judgment in R (Ayinde) v Haringey LBC [2025] EWHC 1383 (Admin) (starts at 39.31).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments (starts at 00.43), including Grenfell litigation, private sector involvement in building control and gateway 2 delays. They also discuss the judgments in Lapp Industries Ltd v 1st Formations Ltd [2025] EWHC 943 (TCC) (starts at 10.31), Jaevee Homes v Fincham (t/a Fincham Demolition) [2025] EWHC 942 (TCC) (starts at 16.15), R (on the application of Glaister and another) v Assistant Coroner for North Wales [2025] EWHC 1018 (Admin) (starts at 28.23), R (on the application of Frederick Ayinde) v The London Borough of Haringey [2025] EWHC 1040 (Admin) (starts at 37.28) and Skykomish Ltd v Gerald Eve LLP [2025] EWHC 1031 (Ch) (starts at 46.34).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments (starts at 00.58), before moving on to the NEC4's new practice note on using conflict avoidance clauses (starts at 19.00). They also analyse the judgment in Disclosure and Barring Service v Tata Consultancy Services Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 380 (starts at 27.22). Finally, they briefly highlight the launch of the new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (starts at 32.39) and discuss the judgment in Vitsoe Ltd v Waugh Thistleton Architects Ltd [2025] EWHC 850 (TCC) (starts at 36.45).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments, including the Government's response to the Grenfell Tower public inquiry report and the new building safety levy (starts at 01:06). They also analyse the judgments in 381 Southwark Park Road RTM Company Ltd v Click St Andrews Ltd [2024] EWHC 3569 (starts at 31:56), BDW Trading Ltd v Ardmore Construction Ltd [2025] EWHC 434 (TCC) (starts at 24:07) and John Sisk and Son Ltd v Capital & Centric (Rose) Ltd [2025] EWHC 594 (TCC) (starts at 38:51). Finally, they briefly discuss the TCC annual report and other construction related news (starts at 45:12).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments, including the building safety levy and EWS1 forms (starts at 02.24). They also analyse the judgments in Placefirst Construction Ltd v CAR Construction (North East) Ltd [2025] EWHC 100 (TCC) (starts at 22.05), DKH Retail Ltd and others v City Football Group Ltd [2024] EWHC 3231 (Ch) (starts at 35.17) and Olsen and another v Finansiel Stabilitet A/S [2025] EWHC 42 (KB) (starts at 39.19).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss FIDIC's new practice note on appointing dispute boards and the results of King's College London's 2024 international survey on dispute boards (starts at 02.32). They also analyse the judgments in 381 Southwark Park Road RTM Company Ltd v Click St Andrews Ltd [2024] EWHC 3179 (TCC) (starts at 11.01), BNP Paribas Depository Services Ltd v Briggs & Forrester Engineering Services Ltd [2024] EWHC 2903 (TCC) (starts at 12.53), BDW Trading Ltd v Ardmore Construction Ltd [2024] EWHC 3235 (TCC) (starts at 27.30) and Sky UK Ltd v Riverstone Managing Agency Ltd [2024] EWCA Civ 1567 (starts at 43.29).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments (including the government's remediation acceleration plan) (starts at 02.02), before moving on to the judgments in Complete Ceiling and Partitioning Systems Ltd v DE1 Ltd [2024] EWHC 2800 (TCC) (starts at 09.02) and Malin Industrial Concrete Floors Ltd v Volkerfitzpatrick Ltd [2024] EWHC 2890 (TCC) (starts at 20.10). They also discuss the Adjudication Society and King's College’s third report on UK construction adjudication (starts at 25.55). Finally, they mention the judgment in My Contracts Ltd v 74 Hamilton Terrace Freehold Ltd [2024] EWHC 2896 (TCC) (starts at 38.32).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the judgment in Nicholas Blomfield & Others v Monier Road - Smoke House & Curing House, Bow, London 00BG/HYI/2023/0024 (starts at 00.59), before moving on to other building safety developments (starts at 07.36). They also discuss mandatory mediation in the courts (starts at 11.16), as well as the judgment in Workman Properties Ltd v Adi Building and Refurbishment Ltd [2024] EWHC 2627 (TCC) (starts at 18.39). Finally, they mention the JCT's 2024 Edition of its Major Project Construction Contract family, Prime Cost Building Contract, and Constructing Excellence Contract family (starts at 31.23) and reasons for amending the JCT standard forms (starts at 33.14), before ending the episode by briefly discuss the Autumn 2024 Budget (starts at 42.28).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments, (starts at 00.57), before moving on to the JCT's 2024 Edition of its Repair and Maintenance Contract (starts at 05.14) and reasons to amend the JCT standard forms (starts at 08.00). They also revisit the judgment in Providence Building Services Ltd v Hexagon Housing Association Ltd [2024] EWCA Civ 962 (starts at 28.50) and take a look at Beck Interiors Ltd v Eros Ltd [2024] EWHC 2084 (TCC) (starts at 33.22). Finally, they end the episode discussing the judgment in ATG Services (Scotland) Ltd v Ogilvie Construction Ltd [2024] CSOH 94 (starts at 42.57).

This episode, Michelle Rousell and Yassir Mahmood from Practical Law Construction discuss the latest building safety developments, including the phase two report from the Grenfell Tower public enquiry (starts at 00.53), before moving on to the JCT's 2024 Edition of its Standard Building Contract suite of contracts and its Pre-Construction Services Agreement (starts at 27.32). They also discuss the judgments in Providence Building Services Ltd v Hexagon Housing Association Ltd [2024] EWCA Civ 962 (starts at 37.10) and CNO Plant Hire Ltd v Caldwell Construction Ltd [2024] EWHC 2188 (TCC) (starts at 54.36). Finally, they end the episode looking at the construction products testing regime and CE marking (starts at 1.02.30).