ParkingEye v Beavis: A view from the courts

In an article published on 30th November 2015 in Construction News Mischa Balen discusses the recent Supreme Court decision of ParkingEye v Beavis and explores how penalty clauses could have a big impact on construction contracts.

Media coverage of the Supreme Court’s recent decision on penalty clauses has focused largely on Barry Beavis, a 47-year-old chip shop owner from Chelmsford, and his battle with a car park operator to avoid a fine for overstaying his welcome at the Riverside Retail Park.

Readers may be forgiven for questioning the relevance of Mr Beavis’s car parking habits to the construction industry.

The Supreme Court’s judgment is important not just for consumers but also for construction professionals who routinely rely upon damages clauses in building contracts to recover damages for delay to a project’s completion date.

To read the full article, please visit the Construction News website.