There is objective evidence. There is subjective evidence. And sometimes, it is a combination of both A case cannot go much worse when a court’s opinion starts with the following: “This case concerns a contract in which a number of disputes, poor practices, and conflicting personalities created a climate of dishonesty, distrust, and lack of
Legal Trends
Payment of Retainage with “conditions attached” Deemed Non-Payment
Given the amount of leftover Halloween candy in our house, you bet that I can make some deals with my kiddos: “If you do this, I will give you some candy” … or … “If you don’t stop doing this … I won’t give you any candy.” You see, there are conditions attached to the…
Court Holds That Temporary Labor Company Not a “Subcontractor” For Lien Purposes
Do you think that there is a difference between “furnishing” labor and “performing” labor? (Is there a difference between Godiva chocolate and Palmer’s?) Well, the Court of Civil Appeals of Oklahoma recently held that “furnishing labor is not the same as performing labor” for purposes of filing a mechanic’s lien.
Hey Siri, Why Did You Settle That Case Without Me Signing?
In a world of texts, email and Siri, you should be careful about the impact of the words you write. Remember that case where a court found that a string of text messages can form a binding contract? (FYI…it is one of my top five blog posts ever!) Another court took a similar approach…
Owners Can Get Cake and Icing Under New Tennessee Lien Law
Seems like last week I was just celebrating one kid’s birthday and I had to do it again last night! Oh, that’s right, I have seven kids with two birthdays in September. So, it was not a dream?!?!?! Although they both got to choose their own family dinner destination, we are going to have one…
Slow as a Turtle? “No Damages For Delay” Clause Inapplicable to Contractor’s Claim Against Architect
On Saturday, I took the kids to the zoo for a day-long adventure. Faith’s favorite attraction was the turtle compound that was filled with about 20 slowpokes walking a circle. Like watching paint dry, we sat on the sidelines as these mini-dinosaurs trekked the park at a whopping .25 mph.
When we think of delays…
“Was Not” versus “Is So”: Court Clarifies Whether Exceeding Monetary License Limit Affects Contractor’s Recovery
After a great extended weekend on the beaches of Florida, we embarked upon the drive back to Nashville with six kids. Despite the clearly defined travel rules, the antagonizing kid was putting his feet on the emotional kid. The creative kid was writing on the seat with markers, while the perfect kid screamed foul. The…
Active Interference Wins Skee Ball Points and Precludes Enforcement of A “No Damages for Delay” Clause
Last week during family skate night, my daughter asked me for two quarters to play some Skee-Ball. I loved playing that game as a kid. But imagine my surprise when I turned the corner and witnessed her active interference with the rules of the game! (… Truly, you can’t script this stuff…)
In construction…
Words and Numbers: Contractor Forfeits Bid Bond When It Mistakenly Leaves Out “Thousand” Word
Contractors make mistakes with words. Contractors make mistakes with numbers. And sometimes, a mistake with words leads to a mistake with numbers.
In Clark Construction Co. v. Alabama Highway Department, a highway contractor tried to withdraw its bid on public contract and have its bid bond returned after it made a mistake on a…
How Important Is That Little Green Card? Pretty Darn Important Says One Court.
We live in a world of e-mails, IMs, texts, Snapchats, Instagrams and the occasional fax. Although information is transmitted instantaneously in today’s environment, proof of receipt of that information (often called “Notice”) remains subject to some very strict rules imposed by contract, case law or statute.
Notice of Claims. In a recent transportation case involving…