CONSTRUCTION: THE INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IS THE DISCIPLINE OF THE MOMENT

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

October 14, 2010.

CONSTRUCTION: THE INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IS THE DISCIPLINE OF THE MOMENT.

Video: Watch interview.

Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy, says that now is the time for the property and construction sector to adopt the inter-disciplinary approach to project design and delivery.

Since developing and adopting “inter-d” over the past ten years, McBains Cooper has not only weathered the UK downturn, but has also seen considered growth and expansion abroad, with new operations in Greece and the USA, and expanded teams dealing with growth in Latin America.

“There are true efficiencies in time, cost and quality to be gained by adopting the inter-disciplinary approach, with seamless integrated teams working as one to achieve a collective excellence rather than the nightmare that can be multi-disciplinary in which, at best, projects can be slowed by different teams from different organisations working to different agendas pulling against each other, or, at worst, causing massive delay, design inefficiencies and substantial loss of cost management,” said Michael Thirkettle.

“The current environment is demanding efficiency, to deliver improved quality and cost savings, and that efficiency and quality can be delivered through the inter-disciplinary approach, creating the cost savings clients desire.

“The added value is the behavioural and cultural side, so what you don’t end up with is a very litigious project where people are spending time covering their back as a product of the multi-disciplinary approach, as opposed to focusing time into the project. And at the end of the project you don’t end up with a huge claim against a myriad of parties, because, in the current economic climate, the construction industry is very much going towards that.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America.

McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development, and its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

FOREIGN “FORCED HEIRSHIP” LAWS PASS HOLIDAY HOME OWNERS BY.

SAS DANIELS LLP SOLICITORS

PRESS RELEASE

March 29, 2010

FOREIGN “FORCED HEIRSHIP” LAWS PASS HOLIDAY HOME OWNERS BY.

Tens of thousands of over-50s who own a holiday home abroad may end up passing it on - against their will and their dying wishes – to the wrong beneficiary.

Probate lawyers at SAS Daniels LLP, Cheshire’s biggest law firm, say that a recent opt-out by the United Kingdom from European Union laws on succession has highlighted previously barely-known problems disposing of foreign assets on death.

Several European countries have “forced heirship” laws, which say that certain types of assets must be passed, for example, to offspring when the owner dies. These laws are already catching people out.

Ten per cent of over-50s own a holiday home abroad, with 12% of them owning property in France, where forced heirship is becoming a bigger and bigger issue for Brits living abroad.

“Buying property abroad has been largely off the radar during the recession and because of the weakness of the pound against the Euro, but buying is now beginning to make a comeback,” said Pauline Platt of SAS Daniels.

“Although the United Kingdom opted out of the EU Succession laws, many European countries do abide by the forced heirship rules which can and do cause a vast array of problems.

“For instance, how many of us travel in France and see gorgeous but abandoned properties that are screaming out to be bought and turned into holiday homes? Well, the reason they’re empty and unused – and falling apart – can be the forced heirship rule, with properties having as many as 30 owners from an extended family; it would be virtually impossible to trace every one of those owners.

“But not only does that mean it can be difficult to buy, it can also make life very complicated if you own a foreign property, because the rules are generally the same for British ex-pats as they are for locals. If the owner dies, then the property may have to go to the children and you may not be able to leave it wholly to your spouse.

“Lifetime ‘gifts’ of ‘non-moveables’ such as property can also be clawed back to meet France’s heirship rules.

“It’s a classic example of a dream potentially turning into a nightmare – buyers really do need to be aware of these complicated European laws, and they really should consult professional advisers – because the powers of a will may be limited as a consequence, and could well cause massive complications when it comes to assigning the estate.”

SAS Daniels LLP has offices in Stockport, Macclesfield, Chester, Congleton and Bramhall.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley or Megan Codling

07788 978800 / 07795 848586

im@pressrelations.co.uk / mc@pressrelations.co.uk / www.sasdaniels.co.uk

FOREIGN PROPERTY OWNERSHIP LAWS PASS NORTH WEST HOLIDAY HOME OWNERS BY.

SAS DANIELS LLP SOLICITORS

PRESS RELEASE

March 29, 2010

FOREIGN PROPERTY OWNERSHIP LAWS PASS NORTH WEST HOLIDAY HOME OWNERS BY.

Tens of thousands of over-50s in the North West who own a holiday home abroad may end up passing it on - against their will and their dying wishes – to the wrong beneficiary.

Probate lawyers at SAS Daniels LLP, Cheshire’s biggest law firm, say that a recent opt-out by the United Kingdom from European Union laws on succession has highlighted previously barely-known problems disposing of foreign assets on death.

Several European countries have “forced heirship” laws, which say that certain types of assets must be passed, for example, to offspring when the owner dies. These laws are already catching people out.

Ten per cent of North West over-50s own a holiday home abroad, with 12% of them owning property in France, where forced heirship is becoming a bigger and bigger issue for Brits living abroad.

“Buying property abroad has been largely off the radar during the recession and because of the weakness of the pound against the Euro, but buying is now beginning to make a comeback,” said Pauline Platt of SAS Daniels.

“Although the United Kingdom opted out of the EU Succession laws, many European countries do abide by the forced heirship rules which can and do cause a vast array of problems.

“For instance, how many of us travel in France and see gorgeous but abandoned properties that are screaming out to be bought and turned into holiday homes? Well, the reason they’re empty and unused – and falling apart – can be the forced heirship rule, with properties having as many as 30 owners from an extended family; it would be virtually impossible to trace every one of those owners.

“But not only does that mean it can be difficult to buy, it can also make life very complicated if you own a foreign property, because the rules are generally the same for British ex-pats as they are for locals. If the owner dies, then the property may have to go to the children and you may not be able to leave it wholly to your spouse.

“Lifetime ‘gifts’ of  ‘non-moveables’ such as property can also be clawed back to meet France’s heirship rules.

“It’s a classic example of a dream potentially turning into a nightmare – buyers really do need to be aware of these complicated European laws, and they really should consult professional advisers – because the powers of a will may be limited as a consequence, and could well cause massive complications when it comes to assigning the estate.”

SAS Daniels LLP has offices in Stockport, Macclesfield, Chester, Congleton and Bramhall.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley or Megan Codling

07788 978800 / 07795 848586

im@pressrelations.co.uk / mc@pressrelations.co.uk / www.sasdaniels.co.uk