Brought to you by Chestertons Gibraltar and Sovereign Insurance Services Limited. 

Last month's tragedy is a chilling reminder to those involved in building estate management of the potential liabilities that may arise from alleged poor decision making.  We cannot imagine what it was like for the inhabitants and for those left homeless and struggling to come to terms with the events of that night. 

The vast majority of Gibraltar's population lives in some form of shared leasehold accommodation. This means that the residents, via their own committee structure or via an appointed third party estates manager, take key decisions on managing the building. Decision making means individual or corporate exposure to potential liability claims.

Those making any form of decision in the last few years at Grenfell now face daunting years ahead with a public inquiry shortly to commence.

Who suggested the form of cladding and who agreed to it?

A sprinkler system was proposed but seemingly ignored. Who ignored it?

The manufacturers and suppliers of the allegedly faulty materials, the Hotpoint fridge / freezer (*) and the combustible cladding will be in the dock most likely.

Owners and tenants who changed fire doors to normal doors without consent and left bicycles and other personal possessions in the communal areas could also have contributed to the proliferation of events that night.

Who is going to assist these people when under intense scrutiny from the judge and the worldwide media?

The MP for Tottenham has suggested that charges of corporate manslaughter could be made. In the case of Grenfell, the most likely candidates would be the local authority, the building’s management company and the contractors and sub-contractors involved in the refurbishment of the tower. Whilst prison terms for corporate manslaughter are rare, it is possible under UK law. More likely would be serious legal costs to defend any such allegation and possible heavy fines if liability is proven. Who is going to pay these costs?

Civil claims will certainly follow: negligence, breach of health and safety and all manner of building dispute claims.

Chestertons Gibraltar has teamed up with local and international insurance broker Sovereign Insurance Services Limited to host a short seminar on what insurance cover is available to help protect yourself or your company should a claim arise.

The seminar is ideally suited to:

• estate managers (individual and companies)

• individuals acting as directors or resident council members where they live

• professionals advising on building design - architects, mechanical and electrical engineers, health and safety officers

• building contractors

• property developers

• private landlords

• private tenants 

The seminar takes place on Monday 24 July 2017 at 12pm (midday) until 2pm at the Finance Centre (suite 761), Europort and is free to attend.

The speakers are:

• Geoff Trew, Chairman of Sovereign Insurance Services, Gibraltar

• Brian Bendle, Head of the Professional Liability Division at Lonsdale Insurance Brokers, London

• Nicholas Howard - Partner and Head of Property at Hassans International Law Firm

The seminar is chaired by Mike Nicholls, Managing Director of Chestertons Estate Agents.

The seminar is free but there are limited spaces.

Please contact Claire - claire.thirkill@chestertons.gi - to book a place.

*Anyone with a Hotpoint fridge freezer model number FF175BP (white) or FF175BG (grey) is being asked to register their details with the company so it can contact them with further information. Almost 65,000 of these fridge freezers were made between March 2006 and July 2009.