In an increasingly volatile construction market, escalating diesel and input costs are placing significant pressure on project delivery, contract performance and dispute risk. The ability to advise on cost allocation, contract mechanisms and claims strategy has never been more critical. Examine how rising costs are driving variations, delays, disruption and acceleration claims and gain guidance on the key issues, legal risks and strategic implications.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Description
Attend and earn 2 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
2.00pm to 3.00pm Escalating Diesel Costs and Contract Variations in Construction Projects
- How rising diesel and input costs are impacting project delivery
- Interpreting cost escalation and variation clauses in standard form contracts
- Drafting and negotiating effective cost escalation mechanisms to minimise disputes
- Common pitfalls and disputes arising from poorly managed cost increases
Presented by Kristen Kipps, Special Counsel, Thomson Geer; Recommended Construction & Infrastructure Litigation Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2026
Chair:
Petrina Macpherson, Special Counsel, MinterEllison; Recommended Construction & Infrastructure Litigation Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2026
3.00pm to 4.00pm Delays, Disruption and Acceleration Claims: Managing Cost-Driven Pressures
- How cost escalation is contributing to delay and disruption claims in practice
- Key principles for extensions of time, disruption and acceleration claims
- Strategic considerations when pursuing or defending claims
- Practical tips for managing disputes
Presented by Aleisa Crepin, Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery; Recommended Construction & Infrastructure Litigation Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2026
Presenters
Petrina Macpherson, Special Counsel, MinterEllisonPetrina Macpherson is a Special Counsel in MinterEllison's Project Infrastructure and Construction team, based in Brisbane. She specialises in dispute resolution in the construction sector. Throughout her career Petrina has been involved in some of the largest Construction Law disputes in Queensland. She has significant experience in security of payment claims. Petrina regularly acts for principals, contractors and major subcontractors. Her experience covers transport infrastructure (in particular tunnels, roads and rail) and resource and mining infrastructure.
Aleisa Crepin, Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery
Aleisa Crepin is an experienced construction lawyer and provides a full range of operational and project delivery advice, disputes avoidance and dispute resolution services. Aleisa has over 15 years’ experience advising clients in the construction and major projects industry. She has advised on some of the most significant construction projects in Queensland including the ongoing CSG-LNG Upstream projects.
Kristen Kipps, Special Counsel, Thomson Geer
Kristen has been recognised in the 2026 edition of Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Construction & Infrastructure Litigation Lawyer (Queensland). Kristen has practiced in dispute litigation since 2010 with a particular focus on Building and Construction. Kristen has also worked in-house at a large energy company where she was involved in disputes relating to energy projects around Queensland. Kristen’s practice centres on technically complex disputes arising from major construction and infrastructure projects, with particular expertise in security of payment regimes, defect litigation and delay and disruption claims.
