‘Letters of Intent’ - their use and abuse

Date: Tuesday, 07 Jun 2022, 18:30 - 20:00 Location: Maidenhead Golf Club , Shoppenhangers Road , Maidenhead , Berkshire , SL6 2PZ Member cost: £0 (including VAT) Non-member cost: £0 (including VAT)

Anthony Lavers LLB, M.Phil, Ph.D, D.Litt, FRICS, Barrister

Letters of Intent (‘LoI’) remain prevalent in the UK Construction Industry, as do disputes arising out of them. They have been described as a “mythical beast” which is part of the folklore of the construction industry. In this lecture, Professor Anthony Lavers, of White and Case, will dispel the mythology surrounding LoI and examine the reasons parties issue them, both legitimate and otherwise.

Professor Lavers will also elucidate the various forms that LoI take and the wide spectrum of rights and obligations which might arise under these various forms. In doing so he will highlight the pitfalls which have caused parties significant expense in litigation, as well as providing advice on how to adopt best practice when preparing them. Finally, he will consider the role of professionals advising their clients with regard to LoI and, with reference to case law, explain the circumstance in which it might be negligent to advise their use.

Professor Lavers is counsel at White and Case. He undertakes legal research on both contentious and non-contentious work and has advised on projects both in the UK and internationally. Prior to joining White & Case in 2001, he was a Professor of Law at Oxford Brookes University, where he still holds a Visiting Chair, and is currently a Visiting Professor of Law at Kings College London.

NB - The Branch AGM will be held at 6.30, with Anthony's talk starting at 7.00pm.