Are you grappling with the significant October 2025 SOPA reforms and the growing risks surrounding unfair contract terms and time bar clauses? Then this is for you. Led by leading barristers, this commercially focused session will equip you with actionable drafting strategies, strengthen your dispute preparedness and help you confidently navigate risk in a rapidly shifting legal environment.
Wednesday, 12 August 2026
2.00pm to 3.00pm SOPA Reforms: Navigating the New Regime in Practice
- Overview of the October 2025 SOPA reforms
- Operational and commercial impact of the reforms
- Drafting and compliance strategies
- Emerging disputes and practical lessons
Presented by Sam Angelatos, Partner, Warlows Legal
3.00pm to 4.00pm Unfair Contract Terms and Time Bar Clauses: Managing Contract Risk
- The expanding UCT regime and increased enforcement risk under the ACL
- Identifying and redrafting high-risk clauses in construction contracts
- When time bar clauses are enforceable and when they may be challenged
- Practical drafting strategies to preserve claims and minimise disputes
Presented by Nicholas Andreou, Barrister, Aickin Chambers
Description
Attend and earn 2 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is based on VIC legislation
Chair:
Natalie Blok, Barrister, Ah Ket Chambers; Accredited Mediator (AMDRAS)
Presenters
Natalie Blok, Barrister, Ah Ket Chambers
Natalie is a Melbourne-based barrister with a practice in public law, environment, planning, and employment law and an emergent practice in construction law. With experience in judicial and merits review, regulatory matters, inquests, and investigations, Natalie is a skilled advocate who regularly appears both led and unled in courts, tribunals, planning panels, and boards of inquiries. Natalie is also an AMDRAS accredited mediator and Natalie holds a Master of Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne.
Nicholas Andreou, Barrister, Aickin Chambers
Nicholas practises primarily in commercial, construction, corporations and defamation law. Nicholas has appeared in many of the leading judgments in Victoria which consider the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002. Nicholas regularly appears in VCAT and the County Court representing builders, subcontractors, developers and owners alike. Nicholas enjoys particularly technically complex disputes involving structural and geotechnical engineering issues. Nicholas has appeared in the Court of Appeal on matters concerning the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995.
Sam Angelatos, Partner, Warlows Legal
Sam Angelatos is a highly accomplished solicitor and commercial adviser with over 30 years of distinguished experience spanning commercial litigation, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, property development, family law, immigration and complex dispute resolution. Admitted to practice in both the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia, Sam holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University, as well as an MBA from the University of Melbourne’s Business School. Throughout his career, Sam has held prominent positions including Managing Partner, Principal, Special Counsel, Group General Counsel, and Business Consultant, as well as senior leadership and Director roles, in both private practice and in-house roles. He currently manages high-value commercial and property matters and regularly appears in the Supreme Court, County Court and Federal jurisdictions.
