In 2009 the European Commission relaxed the rules on the circumstances when the accelerated restricted procedure could be used to extend it to the procurement of "all major public projects". When use of the accelerated restricted procedure is allowed, contracting authorities are able reduce the overall timeframe of the procedure to 30 days (from a maximum of 87 days) where the contract notice is sent by electronic means. The motivation for this relaxation was that, given the exceptional nature of the prevailing economic climate, "emergency measures" were required to enable faster procurement to benefit economies.
However, the Commission has now withdrawn that rule relaxation so that the previous rules have resumed for contract notices submitted to the OJEU from 1 January 2012. The accelerated restricted procedure is once again only available in situations where urgency renders the normal restricted procedure time limits impracticable.
For further information on whether you may be able to take advantage of the accelerated procedure or on your procurement questions generally, please contact Tim Richards on timrichards@hewitsons.com or on 01908 247010.
Connecting the internationally recognised academic and research powerhouses of Cambridge and Oxford by way of new infrastructure links across the region and ramping up digital connectivity between individuals, organisations and businesses occupying the zone is all part of the ambition.
Following the recent case of WH Smith and Commerz Real Investmentgesellshaft MBH (see here), it seemed that courts would impose pandemic rent suspension clauses more readily. However, this was not the case in Poundland Limited v Toplain Ltd (“Poundland"),
Many construction workers are now Covid 19 test and trace self-isolating, adding to the existing pressures within the building sector arising from the turbulence in the supply of building materials and labour.
On 12 May 2021, the government introduced the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill into the House of Lords. The Bill was announced in the Queens Speech. This is the government’s response to the concerns which have been raised about the future level of some ground rents and how they are calculated.
