Residential Construction Law

This is the first book to offer a systematic and analytical overview of the legal framework for residential construction. In doing so, the book addresses two fundamental questions:
Prevention: What assurances can the law give buyers (and later owners and occupiers) of homes that construction work – from building of a complete home to adding an extension or replacing a shower unit – will comply with minimum standards of design, safety and build quality?
Cure: What forms of redress - from whom, and by what route - can residents expect, when, often long after completion of construction, they discover defects?

The resulting problems pose some big and difficult questions of principle and policy about standards, rights and remedies, which in turn concern justice more generally.

This book addresses these key issues in a comparative context across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is an accessible guide to the existing law for residents and construction professionals (and their legal advisers), but also charts a course to further, meaningful reforms of the legal landscape for residential construction around the world.

The book’s two co-authors, Philip Britton and Matthew Bell, have taught in the field in the UK, Australia and New Zealand; both have been active in legal practice, as have the book’s two specialist contributors, Deirdre Ní Fhloinn and Kim Vernau.

“"This much-needed and excellent book fills a real gap in the residential construction field. It is a practical, comprehensive guide, packed with highly authoritative analysis and all presented in a most readable form. One the book's many strengths is that it takes a comparative approach, discussing problems and remedies in Ireland, New Zealand, the different states in Australia and in each of the three main jurisdictions within the UK." -- Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE, Chartered Arbitrator, Adjudicator and Mediator, Atkin Chambers, UK”

Philip Britton and Matthew Bell have accumulated decades of research and teaching, culminating in this authoritative book … This book is powerful rebuttal to any denial that there is something seriously wrong in this area, both in the UK and elsewhere. -- David Sawtell Housing After Grenfell Blog
A landmark book that will serve well the needs of anyone involved in this neglected area of law. The authors are to be congratulated on their fine achievement. -- Julian Bailey, White & Case LLP International Construction Law Review
This book is an excellent analysis of residential construction law in a multitude of jurisdictions … I would recommend this as a very important and well researched analysis of the history of construction law, the current status of construction law and where it may be heading. -- Kelvin Oldridge BDPS News
This much-needed and excellent book fills a real gap in the residential construction field. It is a practical, comprehensive guide, packed with highly authoritative analysis and all presented in a most readable form. One of the book’s many strengths is that it takes a comparative approach, discussing problems and remedies in Ireland, New Zealand, the different states in Australia and in each of the three main jurisdictions within the UK. Her Honour Frances Kirkham CBE, Chartered Arbitrator, Adjudicator and Mediator, Atkin Chambers, UK
It is a breath of fresh air to have a book devoted entirely to the oft neglected area of residential building … this book is a valuable resource for anyone involved in residential building work … Britton and Bell have [provided] the data and analysis that is the bedrock of any evidence-based reforms. -- Paula Gerber Building and Construction Law Journal

Philip Britton is former Visiting Professor and Director at the Centre of Construction Law, King's College London, UK.
Matthew Bell is Associate Professor and Co-Director of Studies for Construction Law at Melbourne Law School, Australia.
Deirdre Ní Fhloinn is a barrister practising at the Bar of Ireland.
Kim Vernau is Chair of Women’s Pioneer Housing and Non-Executive Director of the Housing Association Property Mutual.

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