The valuation of off-site overheads has emerged as a critical and timely issue in Australian construction law, particularly amid the ongoing rise in disputes stemming from project delays and cost blowouts. Gain guidance in calculating and substantiating claims for off-site overheads. Receive alternative valuation methods supported by recent case law. Examine practical guidance on aligning contract drafting with enforceable claims.
Chair:
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Professional Skills
1.15pm to 2.15pm Valuing Off-Site Overheads in Construction Disputes
- Legal basis for off-site overhead claims under Australian law
- Comparative analysis of valuation methods
- Causation and entitlement challenges in delay claims
- Evidentiary requirements for substantiating overheads
- Drafting contract clauses to support enforceable claims
- Role of expert QS reports in disputes and joint conclaves
- Pitfalls in quantifying and presenting head office costs
- Insights from international arbitration and litigation practice
Presented by Christopher Rowden, Principal, CDI Lawyers; Queensland Editor, Building and Construction Law Journal and Graham Topp, Director, GTQ Expert Services; Certified quantity surveyor; Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; Fellow of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Presenters
Christopher Rowden, Principal, CDI Lawyers
Christopher’s practice spans front-end, project delivery, and back-end disputes. He has extensive experience in all forms of commercial dispute resolution, with particular expertise in large-scale adjudication, arbitration, and court litigation. Christopher has been recognised as a leading Queensland construction and infrastructure lawyer from 2018 to 2024. He is the Queensland Editor of the Building and Construction Law Journal and an external author for LexisNexis. He has acted for a major international adjudications worth more than $500,000. Christopher has been involved in adjudication disputes across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania.as well as other international adjudications.
Graham Topp, Director, GTQ Expert Services
Graham Topp is Director of GT Quantum and a registered expert witness, certified quantity surveyor, and Fellow of both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. He specialises in the preparation, analysis, and submission of expert reports on quantum, delay, and disruption claims in construction and engineering disputes. Graham is regularly engaged in domestic and international arbitration, federal and supreme court litigation, adjudication, and expert determinations. Graham has extensive experience across sectors including rail, metro, power, oil and gas, infrastructure, commercial, residential, and civil projects. Graham has prepared joint reports in conclave and provided expert evidence in arbitration and court settings. His geographical experience includes Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Recognised by Who’s Who Legal for his robust advice and excellent presentation as an expert witness.
