PROFILE
Established 1984
The John Russell consultancy was formed as an independent practice
in 1984, the case load coming mainly from the mechanical and electrical
field. The client firms are of all sizes,
including some of the industry’s biggest names and some very small firms. Most are ECA and HVCA members.
Major claims
There is
still a real need for the expertise provided by the industry’s “claims
consultants”.
The function
of “claims” is NOT as some aggressive tool of
confrontation, but is merely a detailed substantiation of what is very often
the glaringly obvious entitlement of the weaker party to
financial compensation.
Successful assignments
Under the heading of successful
assignments (see further down), are listed some typical
(but of course, necessarily anonymous) results achieved over the years,
sometimes in the face of reactions which varied from sheer bullying to
undisguised aggression.
Construction Act 1996
Another field of increasing importance is now the reference of
payment and entitlement problems to an Adjudicator under the Construction Act 1996. This legislation will increasingly
play a part in our lives, as the industry looks for faster, more cost effective
ways to resolve differences during the course of the works, and not by way
of “end of job” disputes.
“Claims avoidance” by early involvement and monitoring
With the advent of “partnering”, there has been a clear need to
flag up and address problems in a pro-active way, in the interests of all
concerned, rather than the old way of “big disputes at the end”.
There has been a substantial increase in the number of enquiry and
order documents coming into the office, for an urgent “risk appraisal” of the
key contractual elements. In this way, the sub-contractor is able to take a
calculated policy decision whether to walk away from the tender, price the risk
and/or manage the risk by additional resources etc.
Many sub-contractors recognise the need to set up a sound system of
records and notices from day one on site, and to put themselves in a position
of “proactivity from strength”. This
has involved the practice in a range of projects, large and small, “keeping an
eye on things” right from the early stages.
It is better to spend a little money on professional guidance on a
month by month basis, than spend a fortune at the end trying to redeem some
major disaster.
The “Electrical Times” column – Jack Russell
In 1994, came the advent of a monthly column - as “Jack Russell – Electrical Times’
contractual terrier”. This column recounted
anecdotes and lessons from the real world of the subbie, with down to earth advice. These days, the format
is a bi-monthly full page article, alternating with Mr Rudi Klein, the eminent
barrister. The content is now of a more
“in depth” nature, but the original “down to earth” ethos remains unchanged.
“The Streetwise Subbie” – Jack Russell again
In 1996, the Electrical Times published “The Streetwise Subbie”. This modest little book proved very
successful. In early 2000, John Russell
was then approached by Newnes Publishers (a division of Butterworth Heinemann).
A second edition was published in December 2000, in considerably updated and revised format. Follow this navigation link to “The Streetwise Subbie”.
Training services
From modest beginnings in 1996, the training activities of the
consultancy have expanded to the point where over fifty seminars have been given
on behalf of the ECA at venues as far apart as Lowestoft in Norfolk and
Newcastle upon Tyne. Numerous other seminars have been given direct on a private, in company basis.
Since January 2001 , the practice has concentrated on the direct
provision of In Company Seminars, and the response
has kept the practice very busy, once again travelling extensively to assist
sub-contractors with their training needs.
2007 – and still
providing service to specialist contractors
The John Russell consultancy will be providing services ranging
from tender risk appraisals, “ad hoc”
advice to smaller firms, to preparation
of major submissions for extension of time and loss and expense, references to
Adjudication, “policing” of ongoing projects and responding to the industry’s
needs for training – all aimed at providing practical
assistance geared to the real world of the M & E subbie.
John Russell
February 2007
*********************
SOME SUCCESSFUL ASSIGNMENTS
Mechanical and Electrical Subcontract on Major Hospital in East
Midlands .
30 weeks Extension of Time and £470,000
Loss and Expense recovered.
Mechanical and Electrical Services to
Major HQ Office Block for Fast Food Outlet.
£390,000 Set-off repaid by Main
Contractor.
£400,000 Loss and Expense recovered.
Structural Steelwork to Heathrow
Airport.
£ 60,000 Set-off repaid by Client.
£160,000 Loss and Expense recovered.
Pipework fabrication for Power Station.
£350,000 Loss and Expense recovered.
Water Treatment Works.
50 week Extension of Time and £440,000 Loss and Expense recovered.
Electrical Subcontract to Sports Stadium.
Attempted Set-off by Main Contractor of £250,000 successfully
defended via Adjudication.
Electrical Services to Chemical Works.
£145,000 Loss and Expense recovered.
Mechanical and Electrical Services to Major
Office Block
Seven months extension of time secured, with
substantial repayment of damages held by main contractor.
Electrical Services to Nuclear Research
Facility, £650,000 Loss and Expense recovered.
SOME LEADING CLIENTS, PAST
AND PRESENT
ABB Building Technologies Ltd
ADT
Security Ltd
Alard Electrical Ltd
AMEC Building Services
Balfour Kilpatrick Ltd
Barratt Electrical & Mechanical
Biwater Treatment Ltd
Brown & Co (Electrical) Ltd
Clough Williams Power
Copeland Electrical Ltd
Crown House Engineering
Cross Services Ltd
CWS Engineering Ltd
Dodd Group Ltd
Drake & Scull Ltd
Farebrother Projects
GK Electrical Ltd
How Engineering Services Ltd
Interserve Engineering Services
Inviron
J R Williams & Co Ltd
Lawson Building Services
Marlborough Brickwork Ltd
MITIE Engineering Services Ltd
N G Bailey Organisation
Shepherd Engineering Services Ltd
Tarmac Construction
WHS Ltd
John Russell
Contracts & Training Consultant
Cheshire CW4 7DP
Tel:
07770 986444
Email: swsubbie@globalnet.co.uk
Website: jrc0nsultant.co.uk
END OF “PROFILE”