Avoiding Claims in Building Design: Risk Management in Practice

The chance of being claimed against is now a major risk factor for every building designer, quantity surveyor and project manager. Quite apart from the many cases which go to court, many other claims are settled before they reach the courts. The cost of insurance to meet claims is now a substantial component of every practice's overheads. Sensible risk management can identify the potential sources of claims, reduce their likelihood, warn the practice of impending trouble and control how the claim is to be defended.

This book sets out how to plan a risk management strategy and suggests techniques which can supplement the practice's existing management procedures without imposing unnecessary bureaucracy. It attaches as much importance to the interaction of risk between members of the design team as the risk profile of the practice itself.