Monthly Archives: September 2013

The Fraudulent Lifestyle Our recent commentary on “who is checking the buyer’s lifestyle” has, it seems touched some raw nerves. One of our respondents has asked “how do you check a lifestyle?” it is a very perceptive question. Of course, there are a whole variety of investigative techniques and we do not believe it is […]

Crown Prosecution Service – Taxi Fraud It was widely reported in last week’s press that two Crown Prosecution Service workers were each jailed for six years, for swindling £1million from the taxpayers in fake taxi receipts. It was reported that the fraud was uncovered after an annual audit, and, that two previous audits had not uncovered the […]

Over the last week or so we have published extracts of clauses from an IT System Provider’s Terms and Conditions ( the Fine Print). We have done this to raise awareness of their implications to your business and to stimulate debate. The extracts in question are replicated below: “Where Hardware is to be supplied XXX shall supply […]

  The last of the clauses in this series is short and on the face of it appears innocuous. “In respect of Hardware XXX warrants that it shall be in such condition at the time of delivery as to be acceptable as the subject of the normal maintenance agreement offered by XXX.” Many would not […]

Fine Print 3   In this the third extract from an IT System Provider’s Terms and Conditions the Seller is seeking to place obligations on the Buyer. Nothing unusual in that  and it is good practice to detail who is responsible for each aspect. But do you think the following clause would be accepted by […]

MANAGING PROCUREMENT RISK – SCIENCE OR ART? Introduction Who is ultimately accountable for managing procurement risk in your organisation? This is a question that should be asked by those at the top of the organisation. Based upon our experience, the answer will range from those Heads of Procurement who have systems and procedures in place […]

“Weak policies and procedures have led to questionable procurement practices, mismanagement and a lack of overall accountability.” The OIG Audit report AV-2013-006, issued Nov 1, 2012 in regard to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is compelling reading. Any alert organisation will ask a rhetorical question, “Could this be happening to us?” Some will find […]