What We Do
Advisory Services
Christopher provides advisory services in relation to construction contracts, with a particular focus on front-end project structuring and the use of ABIC contracts.
His advice draws on more than 40 years of industry experience and nearly 25 years in legal practice, combining legal expertise with industry experience.
Areas of Advice
Contract Review & Drafting
Review, advice and drafting of construction contracts, from contract structure and risk allocation to special conditions, spanning the ABIC suite and other standard and bespoke forms.
Contract review, drafting & adviceClient Architect Agreements
Client Architect Agreements reviewed, tailored and drafted for solo, growing and overseas practices: scope, fees, liability, copyright and novation.
Client Architect AgreementsAustralian Standard Contracts
Advice, review, drafting and negotiation of Australian Standard construction contracts: AS 4000 and AS 2124 (construct only), and AS 4300 and AS 4902 (design and construct).
AS 4000, AS 2124 & moreLawyer for Architects
A lawyer for architects who is also a registered architect: client agreements, appointments, novation, copyright and disputes across the life of a practice.
Legal advice for architectsLawyer for Builders
A lawyer for builders on high-spec, architect-designed homes: building contract review before signing, payment and security of payment, variations and disputes.
Legal advice for buildersTendering & Procurement
Construction procurement advice: choosing the delivery model, preparing and reviewing tender documents, and getting contract formation and risk allocation right before award.
Procurement adviceCommercial Negotiations
Negotiation of construction and consultancy agreements, focused on risk allocation and reaching a workable contract without stalling the project or the relationship.
Negotiation adviceSecurity of Payment
Security of payment advice from a registered adjudicator: payment claims, payment schedules and adjudication strategy under each state's security of payment Act.
Security of payment lawyerFront-End Construction Lawyer
Getting the contract right before the build begins: contract selection, structuring, drafting, review and negotiation, from a construction lawyer who is also a registered architect.
Front-end construction lawAdjudication & Independent Adjudicator
From a registered adjudicator in five jurisdictions (NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT) and a WA review adjudicator, with more than 180 adjudications determined: construction adjudication of payment disputes under security of payment legislation, and - uniquely in Western Australia - appointment as an independent adjudicator named in the construction contract.
Adjudication
How construction payment disputes are assessed and determined, from a registered adjudicator in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT - and a WA review adjudicator - with 180+ adjudications determined.
Construction adjudicationIndependent Adjudicator (WA)
Unique to Western Australia: appointment as the adjudicator named in the contract, or by nomination from an authorised nominating authority, on commercial and residential projects.
Independent adjudicator in WADiscuss Your Project
Have a matter that doesn’t fit neatly into the above? Get in touch to discuss how early advice can help structure clear and workable contractual arrangements.
Engagement
Advisory work is undertaken on a selective basis, with a preference for front-end matters and projects where early input can assist in achieving clear and workable contractual arrangements.