Building Voices

Hosted by CMS

TechnologyInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Building Voices is a new podcast series that focuses on the topical issues impacting dispute resolution and dispute management in the construction and infrastructure industries, as well as general developments across these sectors. The series is hosted by members of our ICE Disputes Team (Frances Gordon-Weeks, Conor Rodgers, Emma Hutchinson, Anne Thompson, Emily Newey and Jane Fender-Allison) and features a range of guest speakers including internal CMS market-leading lawyers, as well as external Counsel and industry experts.

Listen to episodes

28 recent

June 29, 2026Episode 2929 min

Episode #29 - Gateway to (Building) Safety: Navigating the Building Safety Act and the BSR in Practice

This episode explores the practical realities of navigating the Building Safety Act gateway approval process from the perspective of an experienced developer. Hosts David Turner and Victoria Adeyemi (Construction and Engineering) are joined by Seamus Keane, Development Director at Ridgeback Group Limited. Drawing on first‑hand experience of a flagship build‑to‑rent scheme in central Manchester, the discussion examines what happens when a high‑risk building falls outside transitional regulations, the pressures of submitting a gateway two application under acute time constraints, and the critical importance of getting the submission right first time. Broader themes include the resourcing and communication challenges facing the Building Safety Regulator, the allocation of risk between developers, contractors and funding partners arising from approval delays, the industry‑wide need for earlier design coordination, and the relationship between a well‑functioning gateway process and the government’s target of delivering 1.5 million new homes. The episode also touches on recent signs of improvement at the BSR and what these developments may mean for future gateway applications.

September 30, 2025Episode 2815 min

Episode #28 - Building success: what the Procurement Act 2023 means for you

This episode takes a look at the Procurement Act 2023, which was brought into force in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 24 February 2025. Six months on, hosts Emma Hutchinson (Construction Disputes) and Emma Blundell (Public Procurement) explore how the new public procurement regime is bedding in, the early trends we are seeing across live projects, and the pitfalls our clients operating in and outside of the construction sector should be aware of to stay ahead of the curve. Offering practical perspectives and expertise, this episode is essential listening for anyone involved in public procurement or delivering construction and infrastructure projects.

July 10, 2025Episode 2721 min

Episode #27 - The duty to prevent sexual harassment – the Laing O’Rourke experience

A new duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace including harassment by third parties, came into force on 26 October 2024. While sexual harassment can happen in any workplace, there are factors specific to the construction sector (including onsite working and frequent interactions with contractors) which mean that there are multiple sexual harassment hotspots which can be difficult to manage in practice. During this podcast CMS employment partner Catriona Aldridge speaks to Lucy Kendall from Laing O’Rourke about the measures Laing O’Rourke has brought into place in anticipation and in response to the new legislation. The podcast covers: What is meant when we talk about sexual harassment? What has changed with the new duty to prevent coming into force? What can construction companies do to practically comply with the duty? An update from Laing O’Rourke – what is the construction industry’s perspective on the duty to prevent obligation, and what are the challenges to ensuring compliance?

November 18, 2024Episode 2613 min

Episode #26 – UK competition enforcement report: key points for our clients in the building and construction sectors

In this episode, our experts look at a first-of-its-kind competition enforcement report produced by the CMS Competition team. The report provides a rigorous analysis of competition enforcement in the UK, analysing all 164 of the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigations appeals to the Competition Appeal Tribunal since the early 2000s. In this discussion, two authors of the report (Neil Baylis and Lucy Charatan of CMS’ Antitrust, Competition & Trade team), discuss building and construction highlights from the report. The podcast covers: A summary of the contents of the report and how it is relevant to businesses operating in the building and construction sectors A discussion on how the CMA generally initiates investigations and a consideration on whether it has adopted any specific practices in the construction sector Types of infringing behaviour seen in the building and construction industry A consideration of whether the CMA has become more active in taking proceedings against directors in a personal capacity Lessons learnt from the report and trends to look out for in the future for the sector, including relating to ESG and labour markets Explore CMS' UK competition enforcement report

November 7, 2024Episode 2512 min

Episode #25 – Execution pitfalls

In this episode, our experts take a look at execution formalities for deeds concerning construction documents and the possible challenges that might arise from something that seems like a mere formality but which parties often get wrong, leading to serious consequences down the line. We also discuss the execution issues from both a drafting and disputes perspective, and cover: What execution formalities are and what the legal requirements are for executing a deed The different methods of executing a contract or deed by a company in England and Wales How electronic execution works (and some of the issues that can arise) What happens when contracts are not properly executed Catch up on previous episodes: Building Voices | ICE Disputes | Podcast Series | CMS United Kingdom

October 2, 2024Episode 2410 min

Episode #24 – Providence v Hexagon: round two

Our experts take a look at the recent Court of Appeal decision, which revisits Providence Building Services Limited v Hexagon Housing Association Limited, and the meaning of the JCT termination provisions for repeated breach. They also discuss: what the TCC originally decided how the Court of Appeal decision differs the impact this decision will have when drafting new construction contracts how the decision impacts on live projects, and what consequences are likely to arise in terms of construction disputes Explore this topic further in our LawNow article

June 10, 2024Episode 2316 min

Episode #23 – CMS International Construction Study 2024

In this episode, Anne Thompson speaks to Adrian Bell and Rafal Morek about some of the key points coming out of the CMS International Construction Study 2024. The study, conducted in partnership with YouGov, surveyed 125 senior in-house counsel in the international construction, infrastructure and engineering industries, asking them about the biggest challenges of managing disputes and how those challenges can be met. The podcast discusses: Trends in construction disputes based on the feedback in the survey; Issues that in-house counsel are seeing in relation to risk management; Why disputes continue to be dealt with at the end of a project; What the latest issues for ESG are in the construction industry; and The likely impact of AI going forward. A link to the CMS International Construction Study 2024 can be found here .

April 23, 2024Episode 218 min

Episode #21: Termination: Eat, sleep, breach, repeat

In this episode, Anne Thompson and Tim Atwood look at the recent TCC decision of Providence Building Services Limited v Hexagon Housing Association Limited [2023] EWHC 2965 and the meaning of the JCT termination provisions for repeated breach. They also look at the practical steps parties can take to protect themselves. The episode focuses on: The key JCT clauses on repeated breaches The key facts from this case What the court considered What the impact is for employers and contractors alike and what steps they can take The possibility that it is all going to change again in the Court of Appeal You can also find out more by reading Tim's article on termination for repeated breach and late payment under the JCT.

March 12, 2024Episode 2017 min

Episode #20: Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC): A gathering storm

In this conversation between Emma Hutchinson, Aimie Farmer, Gregor Woods and Ellie Black, we discuss the ongoing impact of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (“RAAC”). The discussion covers the health and safety considerations of having RAAC in a property, who RAAC claims could be brought against and what practical steps can be taken to mitigate against the risk of RAAC. This episode covers: The impact of RAAC Health and safety considerations of RAAC What RAAC means for landlords and tenants and who is liable Possible claims brought against employers, occupiers and landlords What mitigating measures can affected parties take

November 8, 2023Episode 1911 min

Episode #19: ”Smash and grab” adjudications: where are we now?

In our latest episode Conor Rodgers and Jane Fender-Allison, both of CMS’ ICE Disputes team, discuss what you need to know about "smash and grab" adjudications. They recap what they are, what their counter true value adjudications are and what the latest case law tells us. In short, that case law now means paying parties in construction contracts have to be extra vigilant in meeting their obligations around payment and notices under the Construction Act regime, or face tight restrictions on when they can start a true value adjudication. Topics of discussion include: What is a “smash and grab” adjudication? What is a “true value” adjudication – a key way for a paying party to recover from a smash and grab and restore the parties’ underlying entitlements What has the position been on when a true value adjudication can be kicked off? What the latest case law tells us – how an immediate payment obligation arises once there is a notified sum, even if a smash and grab adjudication has not been raised; and the court’s view on whether a “genuine dispute” on payment notices allows a true value adjudication to be started in the absence of payment Four key points to remember about when a true value adjudication can be started To read more on this please see CMS’ update here: Smash and grab” vs “true value” adjudications: where are we now? (cms-lawnow.com)