We see our role as lawyers to support our client's commercial objectives and therefore seek to minimise the chances of disputes arising and, should a dispute arise, seek to find the fastest and most cost effective resolution. We focus on drafting short and cost effective contracts without large suites of documents and without onerous or unrealistic conditions to form fair and reasonable contracts that are readily acceptable to both parties.
When potential difficulties arise, we aim to provide prompt and astute advice about how to resolve them as fast and economically as possible. We have advised on a wide range of construction and engineering projects, both within Australia and overseas, based on the AS series of contracts, FIDIC, MBA, HIA and many other bespoke or standard contract forms.
When potential difficulties arise, we aim to provide prompt and astute advice about how to resolve them as fast and economically as possible. We have advised on a wide range of construction and engineering projects, both within Australia and overseas, based on the AS series of contracts, FIDIC, MBA, HIA and many other bespoke or standard contract forms.
Services
Litigation is often time consuming and expensive. Our approach is to always explore alternative dispute resolution methods to attempt to find a cost effective resolution to a dispute before the path of litigation is taken. The introduction of the Security of Payment legislation across Australia has vastly increased the use of adjudication as a means to resolve payment disputes in the construction industry.
As those who have attended our Masterclasses on Retrospective Delay Analysis: Law and Techniques will know, we have a particular expertise in delay claims, and we are used to providing guidance to those making or defending claims as to how those claims may best be structured or countered, and to certifiers and principals (including government bodies) as to the true value of claims that have been presented.
Tom Grace has been teaching Contract Management at the Master Builders Association for a number of years. Tom has a unique perspective on contract management, having managed building contracts on a daily basis during his 20 years in the construction industry. Formerly an engineer, Tom entered legal practice in 1999.
Construction and Engineering disputes typically involve a large number of documents. There are significant advantages in using electronic storage systems where the dispute warrants it. A short anecdote from a case demonstrates the benefit of this system. On one occasion late on the night before a negotiation was scheduled to occur, lawyers for the opposing party sent a fax to one of our lawyers.
We have many years experience resolving construction disputes and act for a wide range of clients - from subcontractors, to developers, through to government agencies, Australia wide and internationally. We have experience drafting and reviewing contracts for all types of constructions projects, acting on behalf of developers, builders, designers and consultants.
