ISSUE 441

Spring 2022 Issue

Your issue of Spring 2022 Practice
Information is now available and can be
downloaded and printed as a complete
document. It is available on our website.
Practice Notes are also available through
our fully searchable database on the
Practice Services section of the RIAS
website. Simply click on Search Practice
Notes and enter some key words.

PRACTICE INFORMATION NOTES

To access the latest Practice Notes please log in at https://www.rias.org.uk/for-

practices/practice-notes with your practice services username and password and click
on Practice Notes. The selection below will appear.

The notes are colour coded to the section of Practice Information in which they appear. Practice
Notes in Section 1 are essential reading and are indicated by a red number.

FI229 Signing and Witnessing the RIAS Standard Form of

Appointments

FI2210 Responsibilities where there are contractor designed works

* The Practice Notes are copyright of the RIAS. Downloading the notes implies agreement not to
amend or reproduce them in any unauthorised way.

NEWS/INFORMATION/PUBLICATIONS

RIAS Panel of Mediators

In an increasingly adversarial climate, mediation is often a first port of call for parties attempting
to settle disputes.

The vast majority of disputes relate to domestic projects. The RIAS is looking to augment its non
complex mediation panel. As a guide, disputes suitable for non complex mediations would
generally deal with relatively straight forward matters set out by the Parties and requiring only a
modest amount of pre-mediation review by the mediator. It is anticipated that the mediation itself
should be able to be accommodated in no more than a single day.

It is suggested that the mediator s fee should be around £950 + VAT (if applicable) + expenses.
on request. Parties will agree terms directly
with the mediator.

The Incorporation would like to invite RIAS members who have experience of mediation and/or
who have an interest in mediation and being included on the RIAS mediation panel to express
their interest and submit their application to practice@rias.org.uk.

Applicants with the relevant skills will be considered. Those with no previous mediation
experience may be asked to undertake additional training.

Link to Application form. Please return to the RIAS no later than 3rd June.
RIASIS Professional Indemnity Insurance for RIAS Members
We are delighted to announce that the RIAS has been able to work with Marsh to increase
the fee limit for the Small Practice Scheme to £200k. The Large Practice Scheme remains
on the open market. The Marsh team will be contacting members and practices over the
next few months to offer support and advice.

For further information click here.

Building Standards - Compliance and Enforcement Consultation Analysis

The Building Regulations compliance and enforcement consultation responses and
analysis report carried out by Pye Tait have now been published at the link below. The
consultation ran between 11 November 2021 and 9 February 2022. The RIAS response
can be viewed within the published responses.

https://consult.gov.scot/building-standards/highriskbuildingcompliance/

Review of permitted development rights - phase 2 consultation

The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part
of their wider planning reform programme. The PDR review is being taken forward in phases,
with each phase focussing on specific development types. Through Phase 2 of the PDR review
programme, we are seeking views on proposed changes relating to:

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Changes of use in city, town and local centres
Port development

To view the consultation visit

https://consult.gov.scot/planning-architecture/permitted-development-rights-review/

Business Energy Scotland

Business Energy Scotland provides free and impartial support to help small and medium-
sized businesses save energy, carbon and money. For further information visit
https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/consultancy-and-advice/business-energy-
scotland

Net Zero Checklist for Businesses

Scottish businesses are showing a growing interest in reaching net zero carbon emissions. This
article by Scottish Enterprise explores the trend. Get insights from their team of sustainability
specialists on what it takes to reach net zero. Read their 10-step checklist to ensure your
strategy is as effective as possible.

For further information visit

www.scottish-enterprise.com/learning-zone/business-guides/components-folder/business-
guides-listing/how-to-achieve-net-zero-emissions-checklist-for-businesses
Architects Survey 2022
We would like to invite you to participate in the national 2022 Architects Survey, run in
conjunction with the RIBA and The Fees Bureau.

To take part in the survey, click

here: https://tickbox.org/Architects_Home.asp?RFBS=RIAS847514658

If you are a joint RIAS/RIBA member, you may have received an invitation to participate from
the RIBA. You can reply to either invitation but will only be able to fill in the survey once.

The Fees Bureau is an independent research company who publish research regarding the
construction industry. A key part of that research relates to fees, charge rates and
salaries. The Fees Bureau (a division of Mirza & Nacey Research Ltd) have been undertaking
this important member service since 1989 and the RIAS has participated since 2010.

Please note that the RIAS will be publishing the survey results on the Member and Practice
area of the RIAS website in the autumn. Answers from Scottish members will ensure that the
results are representative across the UK.

Your response will be confidential and anonymous.

Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone

The National Trust for Scotland s new strategy Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone
provides a framework for the future of the National Trust for Scotland as they look towards their
centenary in 2031. For further information and to view visit https://www.nts.org.uk/our-work/our-
strategy

Scottish Business Monitor Q1 2022

The findings of the Addleshaw Goddard Scottish Business Monitor examined business
sentiment in the first quarter of 2022 and their outlook expectations through the year. According
to the report 95% of firms in the construction sector expect their prices to increase. To view the
report visit -

www.addleshawgoddard.com/en/insights/insights-briefings/2019/general/fraser-of-allander-
business-monitor-report/#scottish-business-monitor

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Advertised Events
Whilst events are beginning to take place in person again, or, adopt the hybrid approach of in
person and online, individuals should continue to check with event organisers as to the
circumstances of particular events that they have booked. This is in case there should be any
last minute changes, due to the pandemic.
Carbon offsetting & nature-based solutions - opportunities and risks
Date: 25 May 2022
Location: Online
Time: 9am to 10am
Cost: Free

Pinsent Masons' Climate & Sustainability practice are hosting a panel discussion where a group
of experts will discuss the risks and opportunities associated with carbon offsetting and nature-
based solutions.

Companies setting Net Zero targets are increasingly purchasing carbon offsets and investing in
nature-based solutions. Partly as a result of this rush to offset, the price for these solutions has
increased and the market has proliferated, with offsets of variable quality available to
purchasers. This has provided purchasers the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the
environment whilst also opening up new risks and even accusations of greenwashing.

During this discussion, Pinsent Mason s guest speakers will provide insights and guidance as to
how companies can access higher-quality offsets, avoiding the pitfalls of lower-quality
solutions.

For further information visit https://www.pinsentmasons.com/events-training/carbon-off-setting-

nature-based-solutions-opportunities-and-risks

HES Inform Friday

Dealing with Damp in Traditional Buildings

Date: 27 May 2022

Location: Online
Time: 12pm to 1pm
Cost: Free

Join HES on Facebook and YouTube live for #InformFriday. Damp issues can often indicate
that something isn't quite right with the building fabric. This could be connected to the gutters
and drainpipe, the roof or even the makeup of the walls. That's why it's very important to
investigate these issues. During this session, HES will look at possible reasons for damp and
what you can do about them.

For further information visit https://engineshed.scot/whats-on/events/?eventId=6db2597f-f855-

4708-ba90-ae39010a61fe

Brodies Utilities, and ground/site risks

Date: 31 May 2022
Location: Online
Time: 8.30am to 9.15am
Cost: Free

In this session Brodies will focus on issues that causes difficulties in many projects the
provision of utilities, the occurrence of unforeseen ground and site conditions and who carries
contractual responsibility for these

For further information visit https://brodies.com/events/utilities-and-groundsite-risks/

SEDA Greendrinks: SEDA Gathering Action
Date: 1 June 2022
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh or online
Time: 6pm to 9pm
Cost: Free

SEDA Invites everyone who attended the SEDA Assembly in May, and anyone else who wants
to get involved (Members or prospective members) to a follow up to a networking and
organising night on 01 June at the Augustine United Church in Edinburgh, Iona Room. You can
come in person or online.

For further information and to book visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seda-greendrinks-seda-

gathering-action-tickets-341176085857?mc_eid=6c491a0d3b&mc_cid=b3fb674c60

Brodies: Local Government - Sustainability and moving to net zero in a

procurement exercise
Date: 7 June 2022
Location: Online
Time: 2pm to 2.45pm
Cost: Free

Public bodies including local authorities are under pressure to play their part in achieving
sustainability and net zero ambitions set by the Scottish and UK Governments. But how can
these considerations be built in to how authorities procure the supplies, services and works that
they buy? In this webinar Brodies will consider:

the current and proposed duties of public bodies to procure sustainably and aim for 'net
zero' in procurement exercises;
how to build sustainability into award criteria in a procurement exercise; and
pitfalls to avoid when preparing a procurement exercise that includes sustainability and
net zero objectives.

For further information visit https://brodies.com/events/local-government-sustainability-and-

moving-to-net-zero-in-a-procurement-exercise/

Online Digital Twin Focus Group

Date: 9 June 2022
Location: Online
Time: 10am to 12.30pm
Cost: Free

Join IES virtually for this exciting Digital Twin knowledge sharing and co-creation workshop
'Digital Twins for Rapid Decarbonisation of Buildings.

IES will be sharing with you their lessons learned from a world-leading case study example,
before inviting you to join them in interactive focus groups where you'll share your views on the
current status of the sector regard to decarbonisation, challenges encountered and what comes
next.

To register visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-digital-twin-focus-group-registration-

334427711287
SEDA Land Imagining Bioproducts
Date: 13 June 2022
Location: Online or The Gordon Schools, Huntly, AB54 4SE
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Cost: £0 £16.76

In Scotland we urgently need to change the way our natural and cultural resources are
produced and consumed if we are to tackle climate change and reduce environmental impacts.
Developing a bioeconomy using renewable biological resources from the land and the sea
including crops, forests, fish, animals and microorganisms - to produce food, materials and
energy will be a key part of this.

For further information and to book click here.

BM Trada - Moisture in timber: Part 1

Date: 9 June 2022
Location: Online
Time: 12pm to 1pm
Cost: Free

In this Fundamentals of Timber webinar, Lewis Taylor, Senior Timber Frame Consultant, BM
TRADA, covers:

- The most important timber issue to understand

- Green timber and seasoned timber
- Understanding the amount of water in timber
- Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC)
- Fibre Saturation Point (FSP)
- The meaning of 12% moisture content
- Why and how the moisture content of timber changes
- Drying of timber and good methods of storing timber
- Shrinkage and movement

To book visit Registration (gotowebinar.com)

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust: Technology and the Country House

Date: 15 June 2022
Location: Online
Time: 6pm
Cost: Free

Advancements in digital technology and the removal of high entry costs have made
LiDAR, 3D scanning and UAV/drones more accessible and easier to use in studying the
country house. In this talk, Daniel Bochman discusses how arc hival country house
research can be complemented by digital technologies. Utilising his own research at
Dalkeith Palace and Drumlanrig Castle as examp les, Daniel analyses how digital
technology can deepen our understanding of country house and estate design - and can
point us towards the illumination of hidden material details .

For further information and to book visit Technology and the Country House Tickets, Wed
15 Jun 2022 at 18:00 | Eventbrite
BM Trada - Moisture in timber: Part 2
Date: 16 June 2022
Location: Online
Time: 12pm to 1pm
Cost: Free

In this Fundamentals of Timber webinar, Lewis Taylor, Senior Timber Frame Consultant, BM
TRADA, covers:

- How much timber shrinks and how this occurs

- Shrinkage and swelling in the different planes of timber
- Movement classifications and how this aids determining the amount of shrinkage
- How we can accommodate shrinkage and swelling
- An introduction to Use Classes and in-service moisture contents

To book visit Registration (gotowebinar.com)

IHBC Annual School: Aberdeen 2022: Heritage on the Edge

Environment Innovation Regeneration

Date: 16 to 18 June 2022 (Full school), 17th June (Day School)

Location: In person and virtual school, refer to website
Cost: Varies, refer to website

plores how practitioners in the 21st Century can and

should manage conservation and heritage that is,

Challenges may include geographical issues - urban and rural locations and populated and
unpopulated areas. They may be social, and reflect diverging pressures across communities
and development. Or they might be cultural, where values and tastes evolve as perceptions and
understanding change. We see this with new industries such as nuclear, oil and gas, as they go
out of favour for environmental reasons, inevitably creating new legacies, as well as Victorian
and Modernist styles that veer in and out of fashion.

The Aberdeen School offers in-person and virtual content from a representative but diverse
range of conservation-related challenges for heritage on the edge, looking across Aberdeen
City, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the UK, Europe and far beyond, including, notably, South
Georgia and the Sandwich Islands.

For further information and to book visit https://aberdeen2022.ihbc.org.uk/

Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust: Architectural Conservation CPD Series

Date: 29 June 2022
Location: Online
Time: 12.15pm to 1.30pm
Cost: £15 + £1.76 fee (discounted rates for multi-session booking and students)

For the third session of Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust's 6-part Architectural Conservation
CPD series, attendees will hear from Justin Rose of Justin Rose Carpentry on A Short History of
Traditional Oak Carpentry, New Build and Conservation.

For further information on this event and the full series visit Architectural Conservation CPD:
Principles and Best Practice Tickets | Eventbrite
 For more events this month please check the RIAS website here:
https://www.rias.org.uk/about/events
This bulletin contains details of commercial events run by organisations outside of the RIAS.
Inclusion of commercial events in this bulletin is for information purposes only and does not
constitute an endorsement of these events by the RIAS.