Don’t ignore these top 4 construction legislation reforms! When a failure to understand and implement the reforms of the DBP Act, Building Bill, Unfair Contracts Terms legislation and the Security of Payment Act (SOPA legislation) into your construction contracts, it can have dire consequences for all parties involved – ensure you’re across the biggest legislative issues affecting the sector right now. With legal landmines around every corner, breakdown landmark cases, ensure compliance and fairness in your contracts and minimise contractor risk with adherence to provisions.

Presenters

Danny Feller SC, 2 Selborne Chambers
Danny is a leading senior counsel specialising in construction, infrastructure and insurance law. He is an experienced litigator of long standing, having been in continuous practice at the NSW bar since the date of his admission. Over that time, he has practised in a wide variety of fields and jurisdictions, including common law, equity and appellate work. He is also a mediator and is experienced in alternate dispute resolution. He has been recommended in Doyles as a Leading Construction & Infrastructure Senior Counsel. He has served as a NSW Bar Association approved arbitrator for the District and Supreme Courts. Danny also served as Head of Chambers and Chairman of the board of Edmund Barton Chambers until his recent retirement from that position.


Mario Rashid-Ring, Senior Associate, Bartier Perry
Mario Rashid-Ring is a motivated and highly capable commercial litigator specialising in construction & infrastructure. Mario works with a diverse mix of clients, ranging from large multinationals to individuals, and believes that the key to building and maintaining strong relationships is continuous, open and effective dialogue. His technical knowledge of the law, coupled with his degree in Business and Commerce helps Mario deliver tailored and practical solutions to his clients at all times. Ever mindful of the commercial realities of disputes and the specific merits of each case, Mario encourages the strategic use of alternate dispute resolution methods when appropriate. However, when litigation is deemed necessary, he readily assists clients across a range of Australian jurisdictions.


Jonathan Adamopoulos, Barrister, 7 Wentworth Selborne
Jonathan was called to the bar in 2018 and accepts briefs in all areas of law. He has particular expertise in intellectual property, building and construction, employment and safety, and commercial and corporate disputes. Prior to being called to the bar, Jonathan was a senior associate at Allens, where he maintained a diverse litigious and advisory practice. He also acted for clients in response to regulatory investigations and prosecutions. He has acted for and advised government departments and private sector clients in a variety of industries and sectors including financial services, telecommunications, pharmaceutical, transport, property investment and FMCG. Jonathan is a sessional lecturer in law at Western Sydney University where he lectures in civil procedure and arbitration, and work health and safety law. He is also an adjunct lecturer in advocacy at the College of Law. Jonathan is a co-author of Zuckerman on Australian Civil Procedure, one of the leading texts on civil litigation, and a contributor to National Work Health and Safety Law. He is also a headnoter for the Intellectual Property Reports. Jonathan was again recognised as a recommended junior in Doyle's Guide's latest Leading New South Wales Construction & Infrastructure Junior Counsel - New South Wales, 2024.


Sarah Hammond, Partner, Moray & Agnew Lawyers
Sarah is Partner at Moray & Agnew Lawyers. Sarah is an experienced commercial litigation and building & construction lawyer. She has an impeccable track record on major disputes in all courts including the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. She has particular expertise in disputes pursuant to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), and judicial review challenges to decisions under that legislation in the New South Wales Supreme Court. Her experience also extends to providing advice on the negotiation and conclusion of high risk and high value commercial contracts (professional services, supply of goods and/or services, master supply, ICT (including software licencing, IT consultancy, server maintenance, cloud hosting), IP) and construction contracts (D&C (including GC21, AS 4300), construct only, minor works, professional services). She has also spent considerable time on major client retainers and secondments, including with public and statutory bodies and publicly listed companies. Clients commend Sarah on her complex problem-solving and strategic decision making. In particular, she enjoys assisting construction professionals to keep projects on track by offering early, practical assistance to avoid and resolve disputes and manage claims and notifications (such as payment claims and schedules, EOT claims, delay notifications, variation claims, latent conditions and completion notification).


Stefan Fenk, Partner, Hall & Willcox
Stefan has over 10 years’ experience in construction, engineering and infrastructure law and previously acted in commercial litigation cases including, amongst other things, international litigation cases with aspects of European Union competition law for clients in Australia and Germany. Prior to joining Hall & Wilcox in 2022, Stefan worked for top-tier and leading legal practices in Australia specialising in construction dispute resolution. Stefan has acted in an array of large-scale project disputes, arbitrations, expert determinations, adjudications, mediations and facilitated negotiations. Stefan is admitted as a solicitor of the High Court of Australia and Supreme Court of NSW. Stefan has been recognised by his clients for his drive to quickly understand the commercial aspects, the construction issues and the legal framework to enable his clients to focus on the successful delivery of a project and enabling his clients to avoid or mitigate disputes and lengthy litigation. Also, acting regularly for major contractors and developers, Stefan has an astute understanding of the legal and commercial framework in which his clients operate and has a track record of providing advice and dispute resolution strategies which assist project teams to successfully deliver projects within budget and on time. Stefan holds a German law degree from the University of Marburg and is dual qualified as a solicitor in Australia. Stefan is a native German speaker and has been able to advise his German speaking clients in German as well as in English (as required).