Bachelor of Laws Accredited Adjudicator – QLD, NSW, SA, ACT Paul is a construction lawyer and commercial litigator with experience spanning over 30 years in the building and construction industry, from apprentice carpenter, to subcontractor, supervisor, project manager, estimator, drafter, builder, supplier, lawyer and adjudicator. He understands builders, contractors and suppliers in a practical sense, their language, their challenges and their philosophy. He speaks plainly and gives practical advice. Paul has extensive knowledge and experience in construction dispute resolution including litigation, mediation, adjudication under security of payment legislation as well as at the front-end with negotiation & drafting of building contracts, subcontracts, joint ventures, alliance and partnering arrangements. Paul has acted for principals, head contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects and suppliers on a wide range of projects and values. As one of Queensland’s senior adjudicators, Paul’s knowledge and experience of the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act is of the highest level. That knowledge and experience has benefited many of Paul’s clients who have found themselves as claimants or respondents under the BCIPA or before the Supreme Court challenging or defending an adjudicator’s decision. Paul has worked extensively in both front-end and back end aspects of construction law and also in mining related matters for equipment and infrastructure providers and service contractors. Whilst he has extensive commercial litigation experience in a wide range of disputes, it is particularly in commercial and civil construction related matters where Paul has focussed his practice. Construction & Mining Construction Dispute Resolution Security of Payment Legislation Construction Contract Negotiation and Drafting Construction Industry Regulatory Matters Commercial Litigation Insolvency Paul has experience in all levels of construction dispute resolution from domestic building disputes in QCAT to major litigation of commercial disputes in the Queensland Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Most commonly, litigation, mediation and adjudication under security of payment legislation is the means used to resolve construction disputes however, the appropriate means of resolving a dispute will depend on the circumstances and can sometimes involve arbitration and expert determination. In all cases and for the best results, resolving construction disputes requires early identification of objectives, creative strategic planning, attention to detail and a cool head. Paul is one of Queensland’s senior registered adjudicators and is also an adjudicator in New South Wales, South Australia and the ACT. That intimate knowledge of security of payment legislation and the related case law makes Paul’s expertise extremely valuable to claimants and respondents alike. Paul is accustomed to the high pressure of preparing adjudication applications and adjudication responses in the limited time available and on large matters he often attends the offices of his clients wherever they may be to work with their personnel in preparing their material as quickly and as effectively as possible. Should respondents wish to take action in the Supreme Court to challenge an adjudication decision, Paul’s experience as a senior adjudicator is of immense help in identifying flaws in adjudication decisions which can form a basis of a successful application to the Supreme Court to have an adjudication decision set aside. Paul has advised on and negotiated most standard form head contracts and subcontracts as heavily amended standard forms and bespoke contracts (custom drafted for a specific project or purpose) are increasingly common. With the enactment of security of payment legislation throughout Australia, drafting of bespoke contracts has become even more prevalent. Paul has also drafted and advised on alliance and partnering agreements, tripartite agreements and joint venture agreements (JVs). The construction industry in Queensland is heavily regulated. A network of legislation affects how, when and by whom building work can be undertaken. The licensing regime in Queensland is regulated by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) (formerly the QBSA) and the consequences of carrying out building work while unlicensed or with the incorrect licensing can be devastating. Paul has a great deal of experience in advising contractors on licensing and other regulatory requirements and provides advice and representation in respect to reviewing QBCC decisions Paul is a very experienced commercial litigator. Debt recovery, partnership disputes, company and shareholder disputes, matters under the Australian Consumer Law or the Corporations Act, and any dispute between commercial interests including of course, construction disputes. Paul knows the procedures and strategies required for resolving commercial disputes by both litigation and mediation. Paul has advised and represented clients in both corporate and personal insolvency matters. He is well versed in the process for issuing and challenging statutory demands, winding up corporations voluntarily or by Court order, external administration and deeds of company arrangement as well as bankruptcy notices and procedures under the Bankruptcy Act for personal insolvencies. Building contract drafting and negotiation. Construction dispute resolution including commercial litigation in State and Federal Courts as well as QCAT, mediation, arbitration, expert determination and adjudication under security of payment legislation (preparation of payment claims, adjudication applications, payment schedules and adjudication responses under the Building and Construction Industry Payment Act 2004). Licensing disputes and reviews of QBCC decisions. Commercial litigation in State and Federal Courts as well as QCAT for all manner of commercial disputes. Insolvency
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