Our experienced Construction legal team regularly publishes articles and updates - the full list of publications appears below. The construction group's articles and publications provide timely and accurate insights into the industry, including analysis of legislation and news on upcoming seminars. This information is relevant to owners, contractors, subcontractors, government instrumentalities, developers, investors and consultants. If you'd like to be notified when we add new construction publications to the site, please go to our subscription page to sign up for email alerts or, alternatively, you can subscribe to our RSS feed. You can also read insights and analysis on our Construction law blog.
- 05 May 2010
Focus: The obligation of an arbitrator to give reasonshe Supreme Courts of Victoria and Queensland have handed down decisions that seek to provide clarification on the extent of reasons required in an award issued under the State Commercial Arbitration Acts. Partner Nick Rudge and Lawyer Cameron Miles analyse these decisions
- 15 April 2010
Client Update: New Zealand's first prison public private partnershipLast month we reported on the opportunities arising out of the New Zealand Government's National Infrastructure Plan. In this Client Update, Partner Emma Warren and Senior Associate David Donnelly report on the Wiri Prison PPP, the first prison public private partnership in New Zealand
- 29 March 2010
Focus: 'Urgent relief' from the court under an arbitration agreementA Victorian Court of Appeal decision, which granted a stay of court proceedings so that a dispute could be referred to arbitration, has provided further support for the view that Australia is an 'arbitration friendly' jurisdiction. Partner Andrea Martignoni, Special Counsel Nicola Nygh and Lawyers Sam Luttrell and Mark Hare report.
- 19 March 2010
Client Update: New infrastructure opportunities in New ZealandThe New Zealand Government recently released its National Infrastructure Plan. The plan signals a move towards greater private sector involvement in infrastructure procurement and management. This move gives rise to opportunities for industry participants. Partner Emma Warren and Senior Associate David Donnelly report
- 18 December 2009
Focus: ACT security of payment legislationLegislation recently passed in the ACT brings it into line with the rest of Australia by giving contractors the right to receive regular progress payments, whether or not they are provided for in the relevant contract. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Lawyer Patrick Brown explain
- 10 December 2009
Focus: Validity of 'other insurance' clausesThe High Court has recently confirmed that section 45(1) of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth) does not void an 'other insurance' provision that limits the insurer's liability where the insured is named as a non-party insured in another insurance policy.The High Court confirmedthat s45(1) only applies to provisions affecting double insurance where the insured is a party to the other contract of insurance. Partner Jenny Thornton and Lawyer Clara Wren consider the case
- 30 October 2009
Focus: Federal Court becomes 'one stop shop' for international arbitrationA Bill passed by the Senate this week will give the Federal Court concurrent jurisdiction with state and territory Supreme Courts in international arbitration matters. Partner Stephen McComish and Lawyer Dr Sam Luttrell report
- 26 October 2009
Focus: Crown contracting and the authority of government agentsA recent Western Australia Court of Appeal decision reinforces that contracts with the Crown, to be binding, must relate to the ordinary functions of government and be entered into by officials with authority to do so. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Lawyer Michael Hogan explain
- 29 September 2009
Client Update: Collusion in the construction industryIn the wake of recent allegations that some Queensland construction companies have colluded on project prices on some government tenders, Partner Ren Niemann and Senior Associate Jenny Lyons report on measures to deal with collusive behaviour
- 14 September 2009
Focus: Construction safety - Liability of principal contractor for negligence by specialist subcontractorsA recent decision by the High Court provides guidance on the safety obligations of a 'principal contractor' and its liability for the negligent acts of its independent specialist subcontractors in a construction context. Partners Jim Parker and Leighton O'Brien and Lawyer Rebecca Campbell report
- 27 August 2009
Focus: 'All reasonable endeavours' - endeavour forever?A recent decision by the New South Wales Supreme Court provides guidance on the scope of contractual obligations requiring the use of 'all reasonable endeavours' and points out that such obligations can subsist indefinitely. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Law Graduate Julian Brun report
- 24 August 2009
Focus: Deadlines for making and responding to a payment claim in WAPartner Stephen McComish and Lawyer James Le Cornu-Brown look at the implications of a recent decision of the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia
- 20 July 2009
Focus: Negotiating in good faithA recent New South Wales Court of Appeal decision provides practical guidance on the status of contractual clauses requiring parties to 'negotiate in good faith'. Partner Michael Hollingdale, Law Graduate Stuart Packham and Winter Clerk Peter Sadler report
- 15 July 2009
Focus: Insured's entitlement to make a construction claimA recent decision by the New South Wales Court of Appeal provides guidance on what constitutes a 'construction contract' for the purposes of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW). The court confirmed that a requirement under an insurance contract that the insured take reasonable steps to protect the subject matter of the policy is not a separate construction contract between the insurer and the insured. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Law Graduate Merav Bloch report.
- 03 July 2009
Focus: Contractor's entitlement to claim quantum meruit (Sopov v Kane Constructions)Partner Stephen McComish and Lawyer Hollis Dufour review a recent decision of the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal which considered whether a quantum meruit claim (ie, a claim for the value of the work done as opposed to a claim for contract damages) is available to a contractor who terminated a contract because of the principal's repudiation of the contract, and outlines the proper approach for assessing the amount payable as compensation in this type of claim
- 22 June 2009
Focus: Queensland's new Sustainable Planning BillThe Sustainable Planning Bill 2009 was recently introduced into the Queensland Parliament. The Bill will attempt to address the issues facing planning and development assessment in the State by standardising planning scheme provisions, addressing shortcomings in the development assessment process, introducing deemed approvals for certain types of development applications and giving the court increased powers to deal with development applications notwithstanding procedural errors that have occurred during the development assessment process
- 07 May 2009
Focus: Unlicensed builders' right to payment in QueenslandThe Queensland Court of Appeal has confirmed that an unlicensed builder's entitlement to receive payment, or retain monies already paid, is limited by the requirements of the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991, even where this outcome might be seen as being unjust. Partner Ren Niemann and Senior Associate Suzy Cairney report
- 07 May 2009
Focus: New commercial arbitration legislation for the statesThe state and territory Attorneys-General have agreed to draft new uniform state Commercial Arbitration Acts based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration. Special Counsel Nicola Nygh and Lawyer Sam Luttrell report
- 16 April 2009
Focus: Trade Practices Act prevails again in Security of Payment claimsA recent Queensland Supreme Court ruling on a payment claim has found that Queensland's security of payment legislation is subject to remedies for misleading and deceptive conduct under the Commonwealth Trade Practices Act 1974. This finding conforms with recent New South Wales authority. The Supreme Court also found that the Queensland legislation did not preclude the court from examining possible defences under the contract. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Vacation Clerk Trieste Corby discuss the implications of Austruct v Independent Pub Group for the construction industry
- 14 April 2009
Focus: Damages - cost of reinstatement preferred over diminution in valueIn a recent decision, the High Court of Australia has found that in determining the appropriate amount of damages for breach of a lease, the cost of rectification is to be preferred over the diminution in value. The court stated that cost of rectification will only be considered an unreasonable basis for the calculation of damages in fairly exceptional circumstances. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Lawyer Alicia Moody look at the decision
- 06 April 2009
Focus: Safety at WorkIn our quarterly Focus on safety at work, we look at the second report on harmonisation of occupational health and safety laws in Australia, the dangers for employers even if an occupational health and safety risk is not located on work premises, risk assessment and the Beaconsfield Gold Mine disaster, the s28(a) defence in NSW, and the high penalties attracted by a failure to manage well-known risks to safety at work.
- 23 March 2009
Focus: Losing the right to terminate - election and no waiver clausesPartner Leighton O'Brien and Senior Associate Stephen Sander report on an English Court of Appeal decision and its implications for the effectiveness of 'no waiver' clauses when breach and termination of a commercial agreement are separated by many months of contractual performance
- 21 November 2008
Focus: ConstructionThe Western Australian Supreme Court has considered the effect of using 'nil' and 'N/A' in Annexure Part A to the Australian Standard General Conditions of Contract AS2124. Partner Michael Hollingdale and Law Graduate Robert French report
- 26 September 2008
Focus: ConstructionPartner Stephen McComish and Law Graduate Robert French look at two recent decisions handed down by the Western Australian Supreme Court that shed some light on the issue of interlocutory injunctions in a construction context.
- 17 July 2008
Focus: ArbitrationThe Western Australian Court of Appeal recently held that an arbitration clause in a contract did not cover a related dispute between the contracting parties where the dispute also involved the liability of a third party. This arguably goes against the general trend of a broader interpretation of arbitration clauses. Senior Associate Brian Millar and Law Graduate Clara Wren look at the decision and its implications
- 07 July 2008
Focus: ConstructionThe High Court of Australia has rejected a claim in restitution where there was a direct chain of contractual relationships between the parties involved. This decision has emphasised the courts' reluctance to interfere where parties have entered into arm's length commercial transactions. Partner Nick Rudge, Solicitor Yvonne Cross and Articled Clerk John-Paul Santamaria review the judgement
- 13 June 2008
Focus: ConstructionA recent Supreme Court of Queensland decision has demonstrated how a carefully worded extension of time clause can give the Superintendent an absolute discretion in the exercise of their reserve power to grant an extension of time. Partner Nick Rudge and Articled Clerk Lucinda Hill look at what the decision means
- 06 June 2008
Focus: ConstructionWhen will a sub-contractor in a building project owe the proprietor or subsequent owners a duty of care? Is the liability of other concurrent wrongdoers under Victoria's proportionate liability regime affected if another concurrent wrongdoer reaches a settlement with the plaintiff? Partner Nick Rudge and Senior Associate Anna Thwaites report on a recent judgment in the Victorian Supreme Court
- 23 May 2008
Focus: PrivilegeA recent Federal Court pre-trial decision in a high-profile discrimination claim by a former partner of a large accounting firm has potentially significant ramifications for all lawyers, and particularly in-house lawyers. Partner Leighton O'Brien, Partner-elect Richard Harris and Senior Associate Lucas Shipway report
- 14 May 2008
Focus: InfrastructureIn April 2008, the Victorian Government released the Updated Standard Commercial Principles as part of its Partnerships Victoria guidance material. Partner Emma Warren, Senior Associate Claire Scanlon and Articled Clerk John-Paul Santamaria look at what will change with the updated principles
- 20 March 2008
Focus: ConstructionThe recent Victorian Court of Appeal decision in Environmental Systems Pty Ltd v Peerless Holdings Pty Ltd examined the distinction between 'normal' and 'consequential' loss for a breach of contract and held that lost profit was a consequential loss. Partner Nick Rudge and Articled Clerk John-Paul Santamaria report
- 18 December 2007
Focus: ConstructionPartner Nick Rudge, Lawyer Nicholas Gallina and Law Clerk Merav Bloch review the decision of the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal in Sopov v Kane Constructions Pty Ltd. This important decision examines how a court will assess repudiatory conduct leading to the termination of a contract, a principal's right of set off, and whether a 'show cause' notice that wrongly alleges a breach may still be valid
- 22 November 2007
Focus: ConstructionA recent NSW Court of Appeal decision will have a considerable impact on the drafting of indemnity and exclusion clauses in Australian contracts. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Senior Associate Morgan Clewley review the case
- 02 November 2007
Focus: ConstructionWe recently reported on three decisions providing significant guidance on how the courts are likely to interpret the proportionate liability regimes in Australia. In a further decision, the Federal Court has confirmed that, although the proportionate liability regimes have effected significant change in the law in cases to which they apply, the regimes could not have been intended to create a cause of action where one did not previously exist
- 23 October 2007
Focus: ConstructionPartner Nick Rudge and Lawyer Anne-Marie Wholley consider three recent decisions that provide significant guidance on how the courts are likely to interpret the proportionate liability regimes in Australia
- 13 September 2007
Focus: ConstructionPartner Nick Rudge and Lawyer Nicholas Gallina review the Queensland Supreme Court's decision in Northbuild Construction Pty Ltd v Discovery Beach Project Pty Ltd in relation to issues arising from an expert determination process
- 10 August 2007
Focus: ArbitrationSenior Associate Brian Millar and Lawyer Jeremy Sher explain the new Singapore International Arbitration Centre Rules, which came into effect on 1 July 2007
- 17 July 2007
Focus: InfrastructureThe Victorian Government has released two publications that further clarify its approach to public private partnerships. The Government is continuing to develop policy in this area with a focus on providing transparency and value for money. Partner Emma Warren and Articled Clerk Kate Austin summarise the main issues in the publications
- 06 July 2007
Focus: ConstructionThe NSW Court of Appeal recently affirmed that adjudicators' determinations under the NSW Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) are interim in nature. Accordingly, a separate, later and different determination by a Superintendent as a part of a final certificate process is valid and does not offend section 34. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Senior Associate Christopher Larcos consider the implications of this decision
- 31 May 2007
Focus: ConstructionThe High Court recently reaffirmed that where an architect prepares drawings for a particular development, the architect impliedly licences the use of those drawings for the development. That licence then extends to subsequent purchasers of the land and may sometimes be irrevocable. Senior Associate Nick Rudge (who will become a Partner on 1 July) and Senior Associate Christopher Larcos consider the implications of this decision
- 08 May 2007
Client Update: ConstructionSeveral important changes to Victoria's security of payment legislation are now operational. As Partner Emma Warren and Senior Associate Anna Thwaites discuss, the amendments have wide scope and bring the State into line with New South Wales and Queensland
- 04 April 2007
Focus: ConstructionIn response to recommendations made by the Auditor-General and recent public concerns about the efficacy of certain contracts entered into by the NSW Government, the Freedom of Information Amendment (Open Government - Disclosure of Contracts) Act 2006 (NSW) came into force on 1 January 2007. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater transparency in all contractual dealings between NSW government agencies and the private sector. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Lawyer Joel Sturgeon report
- 20 February 2007
Focus: ConstructionGreater complexity in construction and infrastructure projects means risk averse contractors and consultants typically look for contractual protection from liability for consequential loss suffered by the other party or third parties. Despite the frequency that the term 'consequential loss' is used, it is not clear to many what it means and what types of loss it comprises
- 09 January 2007
Constructive knowledgeEditors Nick Rudge and George Varma provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 01 November 2006
Constructive knowledgeEditors Nick Rudge and George Varma provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 30 October 2006
Focus: ConstructionA recent decision of the UK High Court serves as a timely reminder to consultants of the importance of carefully planning projects and of their professional obligations when advising on contracting strategy. Partner Michael Hollingdale and Law Graduate Jeremy Sher look at the case and its implications
- 18 October 2006
Focus: ConstructionCan contractual claims for economic loss on a construction project be subject to the new proportionate liability regime in Part IVAA of the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic). Senior Associate Nick Rudge and Law Clerk Greg Roebuck report on the decision in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal that considers the new provisions in the context of defective construction work
- 21 September 2006
Focus: ConstructionOn 5 September 2006, the NSW Supreme Court decided in John Holland v RTA that a final determination by a superintendent could undo the effect of a prior determination by an adjudicator and that such a provision was not void under section 34 of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW). Partner Leighton O'Brien and Law Graduate Rima Hor report
- 06 September 2006
Focus: ConstructionA recent NSW Court of Appeal ruling on a payment claim has found that where a party might be entitled to a remedy under the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) the Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) could not close out that remedy. In addition, if the effect of the Security of Payment Act was to prevent a Trade Practices Act claim being raised, then the inconsistency between state law and Commonwealth law would render the state law inoperative to the extent of the inconsistency
- 14 August 2006
Focus: ConstructionThe Victorian Parliament recently passed the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Amendment Act 2006 (Vic). In addition to the amendments it makes to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic) outlined in Focus: Construction - March 2006, the Amendment Act expands the scope of 'claimable variations' under the Security of Payment Act
- 10 August 2006
Paper: Some construction insolvency issuesWe discuss a range of construction insolvency issues which banks may face when dealing with their rights
- 23 June 2006
Paper: Quantum meruitSenior Associate Michael Wright and Lawyer Christopher Larcos discuss quantum meruit - an action for payment of the reasonable value of services performed
- 22 June 2006
Focus: ConstructionAre claims that a party owes a duty of care to avoid economic loss in a construction project context likely to succeed in Victoria? Senior Associate Nick Rudge and Solicitor Daniel Allender report on a recent judgment in the Victorian Supreme Court
- 13 June 2006
Constructive knowledgeEditor Nick Rudge and Lawyer George Varma provide a brief summary of new legislation and recent cases in the construction area
- 21 March 2006
Constructive knowledgeEditor Nick Rudge and Articled Clerk Victoria Foster provide a brief summary of new legislation and recent cases in the construction area
- 02 March 2006
Focus: ConstructionAfter consulting with industry stakeholders, the Victorian Government has proposed a range of legislative amendments to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic). Partner Emma Warren and Lawyer Anna Thwaites report on what this will mean for the industry
- 14 February 2006
Focus: ConstructionSenior Associate Nick Rudge and Articled Clerk Victoria Foster discuss the effect of contractual arrangements on the right of the principals to claim set-off and reduction of progress certificates
- 01 February 2006
Focus: ConstructionTwo recent court decisions have examined the validity of liquidated damages clauses. Senior Associate Nick Rudge and Articled Clerk Victoria Foster explain
- 28 November 2005
Constructive knowledgeEditor Sean Richardson and others provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 25 November 2005
Focus: InfrastructureSenior Associate Ren Niemann and Paralegal James Nicholls report on new legislation that empowers the NSW Government to take over major infrastructure projects, and offer some clues as to how it might affect private-sector parties
- 17 November 2005
Focus: ArbitrationWelcome to Allens Arthur Robinson's inaugural round-up of arbitration issues in Australia and the Asia Pacific region
- 30 September 2005
Focus: Environment & PlanningSweeping changes to Part 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, streamlining local planning provisions in NSW commenced on 30 September 2005. Partner Paul Lalich and Senior Associate Felicity Rourke look at the changes.
- 20 September 2005
Focus: ConstructionPartner Tom Yuncken and Articled Clerk Victoria Foster look at a recent Victorian Supreme Court decision that has clarified the approach for determining some of the common claims made by parties in construction disputes
- 14 September 2005
Client update: Workplace RelationsThe Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 was passed unamended by the Senate on 7 September 2005 and received Royal Assent on 12 September. Senior Associate Rowan Kelly outlines some of the Act's effects
- 08 July 2005
Constructive knowledgeEditor Sean Richardson and others provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 03 June 2005
Focus: Environment & PlanningOn 25 May 2005 a new state environmental planning policy for state significant development was gazetted in NSW. This policy makes a number of important changes to the way in which significant projects will be assessed and approved in NSW. Partner Paul Lalich and Senior Associate Felicity Rourke look at the new policy
- 02 June 2005
Focus: ConstructionA recent case in Victoria highlights the problems in that jurisdiction of a subcontractor claiming a debt against a principal under the Construction Industry Security of Payment Act where a contractor has become insolvent. Senior Associate Nick Rudge and Articled Clerk Victoria Foster look at Balmader v ESI Limited (receivers and managers appointed) and also at how this issue might play out in other states.
- 10 May 2005
Focus: InfrastructureRecently, federal and state and territory governments have looked increasingly to public private partnerships as a means of delivering the necessary funding to solve a growing demand for infrastructure projects in Australia. Partner Alan Millhouse and Senior Associate Emma Warren report on some of the key Australian PPP markets
- 09 May 2005
Constructive knowledgeEditor Sean Richardson and others provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 06 January 2005
Focus: ConstructionThe Tasmanian Supreme Court recently considered whether a liquidated damages provision in a project deed between the state government and a construction company was in fact a penalty. Senior Associate Nick Rudge and Articled Clerk Sebastian Rudkin look at this important ruling and its ramifications
- 08 December 2004
Focus: ConstructionExpert evidence is often critical in construction litigation. The party expert whose 'evidence is preferred' by a judge will often be the successful party in the litigation. Senior Associate Nick Rudge looks at some cases that highlight some important aspects about expert evidence.
- 26 November 2004
Paper: The interaction between project contracts and insurance policiesSenior Associate Malcolm Stephens discusses the management of risk in construction projects
- 26 November 2004
Paper: Risk mitigationPartner John Cooper discusses how to achieve proper risk allocation in contracts
- 29 October 2004
Paper: Delay and disruption protocolPartner Tom Yuncken discusses the Society of Construction Law's Delay and Disruption Protocol which is of great assistance in determining extensions of time and compensation for delay and disruption
- 21 September 2004
Focus: ConstructionSenior Associate Kiri Parr and Law Graduate Chris Slocombe examine the application of the new Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 (Qld)
- 01 September 2004
Constructive knowledgeEditors Gurmeet Kaur and Sean Richardson and others provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 17 May 2004
Focus: ArbitrationAlthough courts have traditionally been reluctant to interfere with arbitral proceedings, they can intervene by ordering claimants to pay security for costs where arbitral rules normally do not permit such an order. Senior Associate Lucas Shipway outlines the English experience and examines whether Australian courts will follow a similar path
- 15 April 2004
Focus: Construction InsuranceThe High Court has left the door slightly ajar for courts to find architects, engineers and builders of commercial buildings liable in negligence to subsequent owners of those buildings for the cost of rectifying defects. Partner Andrea Martignoni and Lawyer Chris Peadon consider the implications of the 1 April 2004 decision
- 30 March 2004
Focus: ConstructionRecent legislative changes in NSW will have a major impact on building and building contracts. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Law Graduate Kristy Owen review the new regulations
- 30 March 2004
Constructive knowledgeEditor Ren Niemann and others provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 18 March 2004
Paper: Apportionment of liability between insurers and contractorsSenior Associate Malcolm Stephens discusses the insurance implications when a company involved in a construction project suffers a loss
- 16 March 2004
Focus: ConstructionThe introduction of the Architects Act 2003 (NSW) forms part of a national approach towards the uniform regulation of architects. Lawyer Karin Ragel explains
- 20 February 2004
Focus: Occupational Health & SafetyA number of fatal accidents on construction sites and the forthcoming proposals to occupational health and safety laws based on the findings of the Cole Royal Commission into the construction industry, are forcing commercial developers, and builders to consider their OH&S obligations. In this Focus we outline the OH&S obligations imposed on various parties and the implications of the non-delegability of the statutory duties
- 18 February 2004
Client Update: Workplace RelationsWorkCover inspectors plan to visit more than 500 building construction sites in Victoria to assess workplace sun protection policies and procedures and their effectiveness
- 16 December 2003
Focus: ConstructionThe Building and Construction Industry Payments Bill 2003, introduced into the Queensland Parliament on 26 November 2003, supplements and amends the existing statutory rights of parties to secure timely payment for construction work in Queensland. Senior Associate Ren Niemann and articled clerk David de Jersey look at the major implications of the Bill
- 16 December 2003
Focus: Construction InsuranceAn unsuccessful appeal by a contract works insurer in the New South Wales Court of Appeal has again demonstrated that policy exclusions must be clearly worded if they are to be successfully used by an insurer as a means of denying indemnity. AAR's Special Counsel Nick Longley and articled clerk David de Jersey review the decision
- 28 October 2003
Focus: ConstructionPartner Leighton O'Brien analyses the recommendations of the Cole Royal Commission Report relating to the building and construction industry, particularly the issue of security of payment
- 15 October 2003
Focus: ConstructionThe recent Victorian Supreme Court decision in Age Old Builders Pty Limited v Swintons Pty Limited has overruled a VCAT decision that an expert determination was an arbitration and void by reason of breaching the Domestic Building Contracts Act. Partner Leighton O'Brien and Lawyer Lisa Ziegert review the case
- 15 October 2003
Constructive knowledgeEditor Mike Krsticevic and others provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 15 September 2003
Focus: ArbitrationA recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Western Australia in Lamac Developments Pty Ltd v Devaugh Pty Ltd means that, consistent with the policy of a uniform platform for arbitration in Australia, WA is now in line with the other Australian states. Senior Associate Simon Davis and Law Graduate Bronwyn Byrnes look at the Lamac decision and what it means
- 06 August 2003
Paper: Construction and Infrastructure Projects - Risk Management through InsurancePartner John Baartz and Special Counsel Nick Longley look at some recent developments in building construction claims
- 25 July 2003
Constructive knowledgeEditor Mike Krsticevic and others provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 10 July 2003
Focus: ConstructionA successful appeal by a NSW shire council to overturn a summary judgment against it will mean that contractors will need to be especially vigilant to provide to the superintendent information he or she reasonably requires in certifying the amount payable to the contractor. Cases that interpret provisions of the standard contracts are relatively rare. When one comes along, principals, contractors and contract administrators should all take note
- 27 June 2003
Constructive knowledgeEditor Mike Krsticevic and others provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 25 June 2003
Focus: ArbitrationA recent decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal may have a profound effect on the use of expert determinations to resolve disputes. Special Counsel Nick Longley explains the tribunal's decision in Age Old Builders Pty Limited v Swintons Limited which held that, notwithstanding its name, the expert determination agreement under consideration was in reality an agreement to arbitrate
- 16 May 2003
Focus: The Cole Royal CommissionIn the first of a two-part series examining the final report of the Cole Royal Commission into the building and construction industry, Partner David Cross looks at the main recommendations in terms of industrial relations
- 08 May 2003
Focus: ConstructionThose involved in the NSW construction industry (particularly those involved in claims) should not assume that the scope of new 'tort reform' legislation in NSW is limited to the area of personal injuries. Partner Leighton O'Brien examines how the Civil Liability Act will play a significant role in all negligence cases
- 28 April 2003
Constructive knowledgeEditor Mike Krsticevic and others provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 04 April 2003
Constructive knowledgeA variety of AAR Construction personnel provide a brief summary of new legislation, recent cases and articles of interest in the construction area
- 14 March 2003
Focus: ConstructionThe Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Amendment Act 2002 (NSW) commenced on Monday, 3 March this year and may have an important impact on the construction industry. In the first of a two-part article, AAR Partner Lesley Minns explores the provisions of the new Act
- 05 December 2002
Focus: ConstructionSenior Associates Toby Browne-Cooper and Simon Davis and Law Graduate Jonathan de Ridder provide an update on the progress of the Construction Industry Payments Bill 2002 (WA), which will address security of payment issues for the WA building and construction industry
- 09 September 2002
Focus: ConstructionAustralian courts traditionally have looked very closely at arbitration agreement wording in any attempt to stay court proceedings by a party wishing to have a dispute arbitrated. Senior Associate Trudy Steedman looks at a recent Tasmanian case that confirms this approach and highlights the fact that even potentially inconvenient outcomes for the parties have not motivated the courts to change their position
- 07 May 2002
Focus: ConstructionDo subsequent owners of a commercial building in Queensland have the right to sue the original builder for defects that cause economic loss? Senior Associate Renwyck Niemann and Lawyer Krista Bowie review a recent case which rules that they can't
- 04 February 2002
Focus: ConstructionThe Queensland Government's next instalment of its reform of the building industry - the Subcontractors' Charges Amendment Bill 2001 - delivers further changes to subcontractors' rights to security of payment. Senior associate, Renwyck Niemann reports
- 04 February 2002
Focus: ConstructionThe recently formed Security of Payment Taskforce for the WA building and construction industry has completed its report that recommends the State Government implement legislation to address security of payment issues in the building and construction industry. Senior Associates Toby Browne-Cooper and Simon Davis discuss the WA proposal in the context of the NSW Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW Act)
- 26 October 2001
Focus: ConstructionA recent case in New South Wales, McCann v By-Dezign Pty Ltd, is a prime example of how even small projects can escalate into a major legal headache where there is no clear settlement process, writes AAR lawyer Renwyck Niemann
- 28 September 2001
Focus: Contributory NegligenceAAR Lawyer Adam Bramson looks at the recent amendments to the doctrine of contributory negligence in NSW in the wake of Astley v Austrust, and the consequences for consultants and other professional service providers
- 26 September 2001
Focus on Construction - NSW changes its ActPartner Leighton O'Brien and Joanne Emerson, a Development and Construction lawyer look at the new Home Building Legislation Amendment Act 2001 and spell out the significant changes that will result for those involved in residential and specialist building in NSW
- 14 August 2001
Constructive knowledgeOur occasional legal update in the construction area - articled clerks Ashley Bell and Elvira Radowski report
- 03 August 2001
Constructive knowledgeArticled clerks Ashley Bell and Elvira Radowski give a brief summary of recent cases and legislation in the construction area
- 25 July 2001
Constructive knowledgeArticled clerks Ashley Bell and Elvira Radowski give a brief summary of recent cases in the construction area
- 18 June 2001
Constructive knowledgeArticled clerks Ashley Bell and Elvira Radowski give a brief summary of recent cases and legislation in the construction area
- 08 June 2001
Constructive knowledgeArticled clerks Ashley Bell and Elvira Radowski give a brief summary of recent cases and legislation in the construction area
- 04 May 2001
Focus on ConstructionLiquidated damages under AS4902 and AS4000 compared to AS2124 and AS4300 - new process, same result
- 11 April 2001
Constructive knowledgeAAR research assistant Sean Richardson provides a brief summary of legislation, recent cases and pending cases
- 16 March 2001
Constructive knowledgeAAR research assistant Symone Bates gives a brief summary of legislation, recent cases and pending cases
- 15 December 2000
Constructive knowledgeAAR research assistant Symone Bates gives a brief summary of recent cases and journals
- 21 November 2000
Constructive knowledgeAAR research assistant Symone Bates gives a brief summary of legislation, recent cases and pending cases
- 01 November 2000
Constructive knowledgeAAR research assistant Symone Bates gives a brief summary of legislation, recent cases and pending cases
- 05 October 2000
Constructive knowledgeAAR research assistant Symone Bates gives a brief summary of recent cases and journals
- 01 September 2000
Focus: ConstructionTermination for convenience clauses mean what they say. In a recent decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, a contractual obligation to act in good faith was held not to prevent one party from invoking the termination of convenience clause which was also part of the contract.
- 10 July 2000
Constructive knowledgeAAR Senior Associate Jan Christie gives a brief summary of legislation, recent cases and pending cases
- 23 June 2000
Constructive knowledgeAAR Senior Associate Jan Christie gives a brief summary of legislation, recent cases and pending cases
- 09 June 2000
Constructive knowledgeAAR Senior Associate Jan Christie gives a brief summary of legislation, recent cases and pending cases
- 18 January 2000
Constructive knowledgeAAR research assistant Symone Bates provides a brief summary of legislation, recent cases and pending cases