After six months of the new regime, which now wields sharper teeth than ever before, it is crucial to understand the best way to act. It's time to explore internal protocols for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating standard contracts, how to protect your business clients' interests while mitigating the risk of being deemed unfair, and how courts are approaching these cases. Most importantly understand the risks for both legal advisors in accessorial liability in addition to the parties to the contract.

Presenters

Kevin Stewart, Lawyer, Gilbert + Tobin
Kevin is a lawyer in Gilbert + Tobin’s Tech + IP group. Kevin originally qualified in the UK where he trained and worked at Addleshaw Goddard for 10 years. He moved to Australia in 2017 and has worked at G+T on information technology and commercial contracting arrangements since then. He advises on a broad and diverse range of matters, from large scale and complex commercial transactions and outsourcing projects, as well as guiding clients through compliance with an ever changing regulatory framework. Over the last 12 months, this has involved a particular focus on the Unfair Contract Terms Regime, where Kevin advises clients on all aspects of the regime including application of law, transiton of new laws, contract review, preparation and management.


Colin Harris, Partner,HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Colin Harris has 14 years of experience in front-end and back-end construction for HWL Ebsworth's Construction and Infrastructure group. Colin holds a Masters of Construction Law and his experience encompasses contract drafting and negotiation, project management, contract administration, litigation and other forms of dispute resolution. He has prepared the construction contracts and associated tender and project agreements for many of the high rise projects across the Brisbane skyline, together with agreements for commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. He has prepared and defended complex payment claims made under Security of Payment legislation in several States and in litigation arising from adjudications. He regularly advises on compliance with regulation in the industry, including in respect of corporate reconstructions and public listings.


Samuel J. Woff, Partner, Warlows Legal and Lecturer, University of Melbourne
Samuel is a leading commercial construction law and construction litigation specialist, advising on complex and high-stakes project and major infrastructure disputes. With expertise in both domestic and international construction disputes and with over 10 years' experience in private practice, Samuel is passionate about delivering litigious solutions for clients that are commercial, strategic, and innovative. This includes leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive best outcomes in a contentious environment. With an established industry presence and a proven track record of delivering when the situation demands it most, Samuel is a leader in the construction law space. He maintains an active media presence in the industry, appearing in interviews, articles and as a guest speaker and expert commentator.


Peter Sise, Special Counsel, Clayton Utz
Peter Sise is a litigation lawyer at Clayton Utz with a focus on class actions, trade practices and insolvency. He is experienced in shareholder, financial services and product class commercial litigation. For several years, he has been the editor of Wolters Kluwer's commentary on unfair contract terms and written numerous articles and given numerous presentations in this area. He is also an editor of the LexisNexis publication, Inhouse Counsel.