This article investigates whether the Party Wall etc Act 1996 is the
panacea that it was hoped to be. Past Acts have tended to concentrate on the
London area and this has now been extended to include all of England and Wales.
An extensive literature review has been undertaken, with the result that the Party
Wall etc Act 1996 and its sections have been examined in close detail. There do
appear to be quite a few areas where the 1996 Act is not comprehensive and
recommendations are made where this is appropriate and applicable. Personal
opinions from surveyors have been sought and their contribution, where relevant,
has been utilised. Some members of the profession feel so strongly about the 1996
Act that they have deemed it necessary to lobby Parliament for improvements and
amendments to it and this can only lead to general overall improvements for all
concerned if carried out correctly and expert opinion is listened to and acted upon.
The surveying industry is currently self-regulated and it would seem that as long
as this self-regulation continues to work satisfactorily, the likelihood of further
government intervention in the working life of a surveyor is lessened. Attention to
and recommendations for improvement in all relevant laws relating to the building
industry can only help raise the professional profi le of surveyors to the mutual
benefi t of all concerned. Highlighting legal matters and points of law using wellreasoned
arguments with the Government should contribute towards persuading
them that the surveying profession is responsible for monitoring itself and any
further regulation is unnecessary

• Is there a can of worms in your party wall?