Stay compliant and earn 11 CPD points for the price of 10 with the NSW Construction Law Bundle, featuring two of our most in-demand programs.
Begin with the Construction Law Symposium 2025 webinar, where you'll engage with the New Building Bill and critical updates to the DBP and RAB Acts that will shape the industry's future. Equip yourself with the skills to tackle modern security of payment challenges and gain a strategic advantage in anticipating legal shifts.
Then, watch the post-seminar recording of 4 Critical Construction Law Reforms to get the latest updates and practical strategies across the DBP Act, Building Bill, Unfair Contract Terms legislation, and Security of Payment. Ensure you’re prepared for the next wave of changes impacting the construction law industry.
Attend and earn 11 CPD units including:
8 units in Substantive Law
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1 unit in Professional Skills
This program is based on NSW legislation
4 Critical Construction Law Reforms: Building Bill, DBPA, SOPA, & Unfair Terms
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.
Attend and earn 4 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is based on NSW legislation
- Recent case law developments
- Breadth of duty of care: extension beyond residential construction
- Apportionability post Pafburn
- Step in risks: risks for parties stepping in to complete projects (e.g. on insolvency)
Presented by Stefan Fenk, Partner, Hall & Willcox
With the introduction of the Building Bill by the government, intended to create end-to-end accountability for building works in NSW, benefit from a timely update to ensure you’re across the it’s key features and consider the impact on your construction law practice, including:
- Investigating residential building works
- Rectification Orders
- Stop Work Orders
- Building product safety: chain of responsibility
Presented by Mario Rashid-Ring, Senior Associate, Bartier Perry; Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation
- Examining of the scope of the legislation in the context of building contracts
- Matters to consider when drafting contracts
- Litigating unfair contract term cases
Presented by Jonathan Adamopoulos, Barrister, 7 Wentworth Selborne; Recommended Construction & Infrastructure Junior Counsel, Doyle’s Guide 2024
Be provided with practical guidance on how to draft and administer construction contracts consistently with the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999, including with respect to due dates for payment, pay when paid provisions, deeming provisions and more.
Presented by Sarah Hammond, Partner, Moray & Agnew Lawyers
Danny Feller SC, 2 Selborne Chambers
Presenters
Danny Feller SC, 2 Selborne ChambersDanny 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).
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Construction Law Symposium 2025
With the governments ambitious agenda for the future of construction law in NSW, get ready to work over vital updates effecting the sector. Navigate these complex new legal landscapes and understand the practical implications of The New Building Bill and major shifts in the DBP and RAB Act’s. Expand your skillset in addressing contemporary security of payment issues and acquire the knowledge necessary to anticipate future changes. Feel firm in your ability to adapt your practice to meet evolving legal demands.
Attend and earn 7 CPD units including:
4 units in Substantive Law
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1 unit in Professional Skills
This program is based on NSW legislation
The NSW Government is now focusing on residential and commercial construction projects with the proposed introduction of the Building Bill 2022 (NSW) (Building Bill).
- Discover how the Bill is designed to create end-to-end accountability by consolidating and regulating various construction elements
- Explore the transition from the Home Building Act 1989, focusing on key differences and their implications for current and future projects
Presented by Tom Davie, Barrister, Queen Square Chambers
- Examine the purpose of the new defect liability regimes under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (DBPA) and the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 (RAB Act)
- When and how to prosecute a claim under these new defect liability regimes: tips and pitfalls
- Protecting your client’s business and avoiding liability under the DBPA and RAB Act
- Recent decisions on the statutory duty of care under the DBPA
- Recent decisions on the defect rectification regime under the RAB Act
- Where to from here? Looking to future decisions
Presented by Garth Campbell, Barrister, Tenth Floor St James Hall Chambers
Chair: Carlos Mobellan, Barrister and Mediator, Third Floor St James Hall Chambers
- Construction as a Relationship Business: explore key players in construction projects, their roles, and how building strong relationships is essential for success
- Effective Contract Administration: Learn how to be an effective Superintendent as an addition to your practice to ensure smooth project execution and prevent issues before they arise
- When Projects Go Off Track: discover practical strategies to resolve disputes and work with contractors to get troubled projects back on track, minimising legal and financial risks
Presented by Matthew Taylor, Partner, Gadens
- Learn how to identify and articulate your client's role and objectives in the construction process to inform contract negotiations
- Pre-construction risk management: develop skills in drafting key risk clauses, including payment terms, warranties, indemnities, defects liability, and set-off provisions to mitigate potential disputes
- Effective contract administration: gain insights into timely contract administration practices, including accessing security and managing variations related to increases in labour and materials during the construction phase
- Navigating financial crises: understand strategies for ensuring client payments, addressing project takeovers (novation), and handling default and termination scenarios
- Relevant legislation: proportionate liability; security of payments; personal property security interests; work health & safety requirements
Presented by Anthony Herron, Special Counsel, PCL Lawyers
Chair: Frank Hicks SC, Greenway Chambers; Leading Construction & Infrastructure Senior Counsel, Doyle’s Guide 2024
Receive a breakdown of leading recent security of payment cases and contemporary security of payment issues.
- Enermech Pty Ltd v Acciona Infrastructure Projects Australia Pty Ltd [2024] NSWCA 162, Ceerose Pty Ltd v A-Civil Aust Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 215 and cases applying it, and a selection of other leading cases
Presented by David Hume, Barrister, Sixth Floor Selborne Wentworth Chambers; Recommended Construction & Infrastructure Junior Counsel, Doyle’s Guide 2024
- Current trends and market developments
- Recent legislative developments
- Notable cases
- International perspectives
Presented by Luke Carbon, Partner, Ashurst; Construction Law Rising Star, Doyle’s Guide 2023 and Ben Judge, Senior Associate, Ashurst
Presenters
David Hughes, Barrister, 7 Wentworth Selborne ChambersDavid Hughes is a commercial barrister practising at 7 Selbourne Chambers in Sydney, and is a co-author with Sir Kim Lewison of The Interpretation of Contracts in Australia. He is a former research director to the Chief Justice of New South Wales, and holds the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford, where he was a Commonwealth Scholar.
Garth Campbell, Barrister, Tenth Floor St James Hall Chambers
Garth Campbell is a Sydney-based barrister specialising in building and construction law, general commercial law, equity, software litigation and defamation. Garth was called to the Bar in 2017. He has over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer and is also qualified in science, with a focus on mathematics, computer science and electrical engineering. For 13 years before coming to the bar, Garth worked as a commercial litigation solicitor, working in both private practice and as an in-house solicitor for a multinational construction company. He has advised and acted for a number of major corporate entities, international banks and private clients. He has also acted in a range of general commercial matters in all jurisdictions in NSW, and in the Federal and High Courts of Australia.
David Hume, Barrister, Sixth Floor Selborne Wentworth Chambers
David is an experienced junior, specialising in all aspects of commercial and public law. He appears led and unled in appeals and trials, particularly in courts and tribunals in NSW, but also throughout Australia and in arbitrations. He has appeared in more than 30 High Court matters, and many intermediate appellate court matters. David commenced practice at the Bar in 2013. Prior to commencing at the Bar, David worked at Freehills and Australian Government Solicitor, and as an Associate to Chief Justice Gleeson. David has co-authored two books on Australian constitutional law, People Power: The History and Future of the Referendum and Human Rights under the Australian Constitution, as well as publishing journal articles in a number of fields.
Luke Carbon, Partner, Ashurst
Luke has acted for parties in respect of litigation in the High Court of England and Wales, the High Court of Australia and the Supreme, Federal and inferior courts of Australia, as well as in respect of arbitrations (domestic, international and investor-state), mediations, expert determinations and adjudications. He also has significant experience acting as project counsel and in the utilisation of alternative dispute resolution to avoid and minimise disputes. In addition to his practice, Luke has published work in relation to international arbitration, international trade and investment law, construction law and alternative dispute resolution. In 2019, he was named the "Young ADR Practitioner of the Year" at the Australian ADR Awards. In 2022 and 2023, he was listed as a "Rising Star" for Construction Law in New South Wales by Doyle's Guide.
Anthony Herron, Special Counsel, PCL Lawyers
Anthony is an experienced construction and contracts lawyer. He has advised on a range of major construction projects and drafted a variety of construction contracts, tender documents and supply agreements and associated documents for commercial and mixed-use developments, aged care & hospitality facilities, storage & infrastructure projects in NSW, ACT, QLD & WA. He also has experience in advising regarding professional indemnity and liability insurance issues including construction and liability claims against building contractors, engineers and certifiers.
Frank Hicks SC, Greenway Chambers
Frank Hicks SC was called to the Bar in 2003 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2017. He is generally briefed in commercial matters, and primarily engaged in technology and construction disputes concerning commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects, and large-scale residential developments. Since 2014, Doyles Guide has ranked Frank as a leading junior counsel in construction law, in both NSW and Australia. Since 2015, he has been identified in the Chambers and Partners Guide, Asia-Pacific as a Band 1 barrister in Australia for construction and infrastructure disputes, described as "a 'go to' barrister for construction and engineering disputes", having "a clear analytical approach to construction issues", and "a popular choice for construction and technology disputes and offers experience in a range of forums.
Tom Davie, Barrister, Queen Square Chambers
Tom is one of Sydney’s most experienced and respected construction law barristers. He is the author of the Annotated Home Building Act and a co-author of Understanding Construction Law. He regards building and construction law as a branch of commercial law. Before coming to the bar in 1998 Tom practiced as a solicitor and partner involved in building and construction, commercial, and planning law at major legal practices across three jurisdictions.
Ben Judge, Senior Associate, Ashurst
Ben provides strategic dispute avoidance and resolution advice to clients in the construction, transport infrastructure and utilities sectors. He has particular experience advising major employer and head contractor clients in relation to contract administration issues and in adjudication, arbitration and litigation proceedings.
Carlos Mobellan, Barrister and Mediator, Third Floor St James Hall Chambers
Carlos is a barrister who specialises in building cases with an emphasis on matters arising under the Home Building Act 1989, the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999, the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020. Carlos was admitted as a solicitor in 1997 and was called to the Bar in 2004 where he was awarded the Bar Practice Course prize. Carlos has appeared for and against home owners, Owners Corporations, builders, government agencies and property development companies.
Matthew Taylor, Partner, Gadens
With more than 15 years’ experience, Matthew’s practice has primarily involved large-scale construction disputes in the Supreme Court of NSW, domestic and international arbitrations and adjudications under the Security of Payments regime. He regularly advises contractors and principals, including councils and the Commonwealth departments in relation to project delivery issues and in security of payment adjudications. This includes acting in respect to disruption claims, contractual breaches, misleading and deceptive claims concerning remediation, variation and cost claims, contract termination and entitlements, and damages claims.
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