Party Wall Act

Party Wall Act

Introduction

The Party Wall Act provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to party walls, boundary walls and excavations near neighbouring buildings; anyone intending to carry out work (anywhere in England and Wales) of the kinds described in the Act must give Adjoining Owners notice of their intentions. Strucutral engineers need to understand the scope of the Act, the nature of the property, project or works falling within that scope; and need to have a sound knowledge of the detailed provisions of the Act.

The course will discuss the procedures laid down in the Act including the service of notices and the prescribed time limits. It will also cover the rights of building and adjoining owners, and the way in which the Act protects those rights, giving examples where the lack of any statutory protection has led to considerable delays and/or costs. The role of the structural engineer when acting in a supporting role to a party wall surveyor will be discussed as will the effect of excavation within six metres from any part of a building or structure of another owner and the details to be submitted. Other matters to be touched upon will include compensation, rights of entry, resolution of disputes and expenses.

Course Content:

• Background and basis of the Act
• Rights and duties of the owners
• Appointing surveyors
• The engineer in a supporting role
• Excavations affecting adjoining properties
• Making the award
• Expenses, compensation and case law.

Speakers:

Aidan Cosgrave

Aidan Cosgrave, BSc (Hns), MRICS, is a Partner at Watts and Partners. He is a Chartered Building Surveyor, specialising in development-related neighbour issues. Aidan sits on the National Council of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club, and member of the Club's working party that is currently reviewing and updating its textbook, The Party Wall Act Explained (known to many as ‘The Green Book'). He speaks regularly at seminars and conferences for the RICS, RIBA, ISE, Pyramus & Thisbe Club and the Law Society.

Lawrance Hurst

Lawrance Hurst, BSc, FCGI, CEng, FICE, FIStructE, FBEng, is a Consultant to Hurst Pierce & Malcolm, currently specialising in structural aspects of the Party Wall Act, as well as construction history. He is past Chaiman of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club, the organisation for party wall professionals, and represents the engineers on their London Committee and Council, as well as acting as Convenor of the IStructE History Study Group.