Building defects are more than just a safety hazard. They tarnish reputations and impose significant financial burdens on your clients. Don’t miss this in depth look at defect and payment claims. Consider the practicality of the NSW Government’s Project Remediate. Acquire the most recent information regarding building defects and dissect the most notable cases in 2023. Attend and leave feeling confident when engaging expert witnesses in your next construction dispute. 

Presenters

Mr. 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.


Mr. Goran Gelic, Principal, Russell Kennedy Lawyers
Goran Gelic is a Principal in Russell Kennedy’s Dispute Resolution team with over 11 years’ experience. He is an infrastructure and energy expert, specialising in a range of construction, infrastructure, energy, renewable energy, utilities, water, and waste major projects. Goran is experienced in a variety of contract structures, as well as developing tender packages, and advising on complex procurement issues. He is experienced in the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) on projects, and has worked with government, designers, operators and contractors on BIM policy and implementation. Goran has also received recognition for his hard work and expertise in this area. Goran was a finalist in the 2019 Australian Law Awards.


Mr. Carlos Mobellan, Barrister, 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.


Dr. Nicole Johnston, Director, Strata Knowledge
Dr Nicole Johnston is the Founder and Director of Strata Knowledge, an independent research and consulting firm specialising in strata and community title law and governance. As a socio-legal researcher, Nicole is focused on translating applied research into practice by collaborating with industry to ensure impactful and beneficial outcomes. Nicole started her professional life as a commercial lawyer but for the past 15 years, she has worked as an academic at Australian Universities. Nicole has led a number of research projects on topics including, building defects, strata insurance, strata law reform, fire safety, conflicts of interest, and developer governance responsibilities. She is a regular presenter at industry conferences, consults with governments, and has chaired numerous international forums. Nicole holds degrees in psychology, criminology, law and has a PhD in strata and community title law and governance.


Mr. Andrew Blyth, Senior Associate, K&L Gates
Andrew Blyth is a commercial and construction disputes lawyer working out of the Perth office. He is a solutions-focused practitioner who gives pragmatic advice tailored to his client's individual needs. Andrew's specialty construction experience extends to acting for a range of project participants on different types of projects across various jurisdictions. He also assists clients with a range of general commercial matters, including contractual disputes, corporate governance and shareholder disputes, tortious claims, property disputes, regulatory matters and misrepresentation claims. Andrew's experience extends to providing strategic project-related advice and acting for clients in a variety of courts, tribunals and other forums.


Mr. Aaron Bolton, Special Counsel, Wotton + Kearney
Aaron Bolton is Special Counsel at Wotton + Kearney. Aaron advises domestic and international insurers on building, construction and infrastructure claims and acts for various industry participants at all levels. Having worked in private practice and as part of an in-house legal team, Aaron has a deep appreciation of the commercial and legal demands facing clients. With this insight, he takes a wholistic and commercial approach to resolving matters. Aaron is a part time academic at UTS in the School of Built Environment, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Buildin


Ms. Sandra Steele, Partner, K&L Gates
Sandra Steele is a Practice Area Leader for K&L Gates' Global Real Estate and Construction practice and a Non-Executive Director for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Oceania World Regional Board. She is an award winning construction lawyer with more than 20 years' experience advising on contentious and non-contentious construction law matters. Her expertise includes contract drafting and negotiation as well as litigation and alternative dispute resolution in the project management, construction, engineering and infrastructure project sectors. Sandra is Co-Chair of the firm's Diversity Committee and she was elected to the firm's Australian Board in 2019. Sandra is an accredited adjudicator with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Resolution Institute and has determined in excess of 30 adjudication applications since becoming accredited. Her work in the area of security of payment includes successfully defending the first challenge to an adjudicator's determination in the NSW Court of Appeal under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW). Sandra's experience working in-house for Lendlease, one of Australia's largest property groups, has provided her with a commercial approach to advising both Principals and some of Australia's largest construction companies


Ms. Natalie Hazzard, Special Counsel, K&L Gates
Natalie Hazzard is a special counsel in the real estate group with a focus on construction law. She has more than 18 years' of experience advising and acting for clients in a range of commercial and construction transactions and disputes including: contract drafting and negotiation; contract administration and project management; litigation and alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration, expert determination and mediation. Natalie is particularly adept at working closely with business to resolve complex contracting issues that arise in the construction industry. Her extensive experience in disputes allows her to identify risks and advise on strategies to maximize outcomes for clients.