The Building Act 1984 sought to reduce the administrative
difficulties inherent in building control and provide a less
bureaucratic system through independent certification by Approved
Inspectors (AIs). This led to the formation of Construction
Industry Council in 1988 which now regulates private building
control by approving inspectors thus affording the industry the
choice between private Approved Inspectors and Local Authority
building control.
As AIs do not have the financial strength of Local Authorities;
it is a requirement for AIs to provide public liability and
professional indemnity insurance. However, following the Grenfell
tragedy, AIs are finding it ever more difficult to place the
required insurance coverage. Recent changes to insurance
regulations have led to stringent new coverage criteria, an
increasingly risk-adverse insurance industry has resulted in
increased premiums and the potential liability associated with the
ongoing cladding crisis is
