Chairman's Report

May 2006

Overall

The Society has over 1800 members and is active in 13 regions across the UK and Ireland . It continues to expand its international links. Core activities have been maintained and expanded in the lecture programme, publication of papers, the Ethics group, the SCL Hudson Prize, University support (although we want to do more here) and Social activities. The Society's financial position is sound, with an excess of income over expenditure, albeit a reduced excess from 2004, and a slightly increased reserve.

Events and publications

The Society held a remarkable 45 lectures and other events in the past year. 17 of the events were in London and 28 in the regions. John Burgess is now assisting Jonathan Hosie with the London programme. There are now 12 active regions; during the last year, activity has re-commenced in Belfast and Newcastle . I have visited events at all 12 during my 2 years in office and congratulate the Regional Organisers and speakers on the standard of provision achieved.

During 2005-2006 20 papers have been published and are available in hard copy or on-line or both. Frances Patterson has done an excellent job and has been assisted with editing by Phillip Britton, in producing the second highest total ever.

Thanks to Vice-Chairman Nick Gould Young SCL continues to develop, with visits to the Palestra Project, a joint seminar with King's College and a boat trip with Junior RICS and CI Arb members.

Another notable collaboration with King's College was the Great Delay Analysis Debate which played twice to full houses in the Great Hall.

On the social calendar, the highlight was undoubtedly the Olympic Brewery Lunch, the biggest SCL event ever held, addressed by ODA Chairman Jack Lemley and international athlete Dalton Grant. Thanks are due to the Social Events Sub-Committee for organising this, and the Annual Dinner.

Other activities

International collaborations are growing, with newly-established Societies in New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates . Further developments are in progress in South Africa and Australia . Keith Kirkwood has been active in leading the International Sub-Committee. The Singapore SCL is hosting the first International Society of Construction Law Conference in Singapore in October, which will be attended by my successor. I have been carrying out a comparative exercise on ethical questions for the European Society of Construction Law and will give a presentation in Stockholm at the end of August on behalf of the Society.

Under the leadership of Peter Higgins, the Ethics group has continued to work productively. Its Statement of Ethical Principles and Guidance on Ethical Principles have been recently added to the web-site.

University liaison has continued, although we still want to do more to help support the teaching of Construction Law in institutions of higher education.

The SCL Hudson Essay Prize was won by Philip Britton, with 2 nd Prize going to Julian Bailey and commendations for Ronan Champion and Wendy McLaughlin.

Administration and IT

The growth of membership and the range of activities has meant that we have offered Jackie Morris the assistance of Frances Whitehead. The Society continues to owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jackie Morris for the skill and sensitivity with which she deals with the Society's administration. I should like to add my personal thanks to her, to Edward Peters and Simon Hogg who assist on IT matters and to all Officers and Members of Council for their support during my two years of office.

Anthony Lavers
May 2006