The Shifting Landscape of Construction Law: Lessons from the Landmark BLO Seminar
The construction and property sectors are undergoing a period of unprecedented change, with the Building Safety Act 2022 at the forefront of shaping new legal responsibilities and frameworks. At the heart of this shift is the landmark case of 381 Southwark Park Road RTM Company Ltd v Click St Andrews Ltd, which has already made history by producing the first-ever Building Liability Order (BLO) and accompanying Information Orders under the Act.
Recently, Adam Benedict partnered with Gatehouse Chambers to host a seminar that brought together leading voices from law, surveying, engineering, and finance to unpack what this case means for the future of construction disputes, liability, and compliance. The event was extremely well received, attracting strong interest across the built environment community and underscoring the growing importance of this area.
Key Takeaways from the Seminar
The panel featured a breadth of expertise, offering multi-disciplinary perspectives on the significance of BLOs:
Adam Creasey, Managing Director of Adam Benedict Law, explored the real-world implications and consequences of Building Liability Orders and Information Orders.
Michael Levenstein examined the legal criteria and procedural background for obtaining BLOs and Information Orders, highlighting the new legal tests practitioners must navigate.
John Rivett, Building Surveyor.
Panos Rousakis, Structural Engineer.
Alastair Ferguson, Architectural Engineer.
Brendan Weekes, Forensic Accountant.
Leo Scarborough, Chartered Surveyor.
Together, the panel highlighted how BLOs represent a step-change in the construction industry. They are not just a legal innovation, they carry real commercial, financial, and practical consequences for developers, contractors, consultants, and property managers.
Why This Matters for the Construction Industry
The Building Safety Act 2022 has fundamentally shifted the liability landscape. With BLOs now a legal reality, construction professionals must reassess their risk management strategies, contractual frameworks, and compliance procedures. The Southwark Park Road case provides a blueprint for how courts may approach future claims, making it essential for stakeholders to stay informed.
For lawyers, BLOs introduce novel procedural and evidential challenges. For surveyors, engineers, and accountants, they redefine the scope of professional involvement in disputes. The result is a new era of accountability across the built environment.
Looking Ahead: More Seminars to Come
The resounding success of the Gatehouse Chambers seminar demonstrated the appetite for clarity and discussion around BLOs. Given the positive feedback and the rapidly growing interest in this area, we are pleased to confirm that further seminars are already in the pipeline. These will provide ongoing opportunities to explore not just BLOs, but also the wider implications of the Building Safety Act on the construction industry.
Conclusion
As the construction industry navigates this shifting legal landscape, understanding the practical implications of the Building Safety Act 2022 and BLOs will be critical. Stakeholders across law, surveying, engineering, and finance need to stay engaged with these developments to remain compliant and prepared.
Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming seminars as we continue to explore this fast-evolving area of construction law. To stay the most informed, please sign up to our newsletter located in the footer below.
