Construction Lawyers Melbourne

Our clients choose our services because of our first-hand construction expertise as engineers, quantity surveyors, and contract managers (we are MCIBSE, C Eng, MRICS, MAIPM). We are also Adjudicators and regularly represent clients in disputes under the Security of Payment Act - you can count on our extensive knowledge of the law. These credentials guarantee that we will fully understand your situation, develop your cost or delay claim in-house, and select the most appropriate legal approach and strategy to deliver results quickly and efficiently.  

Fast-track projects leave a trail of defects, some deep underground where they are impossible to rectify. 

It is common knowledge that the root causes of troubled projects plagued by delays and cost overruns tend to be centred in incomplete project planning, inadequate schedule tracking and poor contract and financial control. 

We conduct a thorough contract analysis identifying the key terms and conditions in the contract. We review the drawings, technical specifications and site records to determine the cause, effect and merit of any claim. 

Our engineering expertise and on-site construction experience allows us to interpret, analyse and provide contract recommendations across different areas such as rights, liabilities, duties, and scope under Australian Standard Contracts (AS4000 and AS2124 Series), Australian Building Industry Contracts (ABIC), Master Builders Association (MBA), WA Security of Payments Act compliance as well as FIDIC, JCT & NEC4 standard contracts. 

We offer in-house planning and scheduling services. When delays do occur, we analyse the baseline schedule and progress updates to develop prospective and retrospective windows and time-impact analysis. 

We help developers identify suitable partners that lead to teaming agreements and the setting up of successful joint ventures. 

We developed and administered contracts for alumina smelters and carbon bake facilities in Gladstone, bauxite mining in Gove and iron ore mining and processing in the Pilbara. We have an impeccable record in assisting our clients with development contracts, crown land grants and project development in general. 

We prepared claims for unsuitable ground conditions, latent conditions, unforeseen utilities, cracks and tears on the surface layer and slippage of asphalt due to incorrect sub-base or compaction. Claims for wrongful termination of the contract, uninducted and unlicensed personnel, use of faulty and unapproved equipment, and defence of unmeritorious claims. 

Over 20-years experience developing landmark buildings such as the Star City Casino with carpark, offices, hotel and apartment towers and Lyric and Show Theatres, the Chiffley Tower building, Manly RSL Club pool complex, Cronulla Shark’s Stadium, and residential estates. 

We were engaged in providing Contract Management Services for a contractor developing a bottling plant and office facilities. The Project featured water treatment plants (drinking and wastewater), bottling plant equipment, storage, and managing raw materials and finished product conveyors to the truck bay. 

We acted on PI Claims for design errors, omissions and lack of coordination. We also acted on claims for latent conditions, unforeseen utilities, additional detours, EoTs, disruption and constructive acceleration. 

Our Melbourne Principal is an Electrical Engineer. We provided strategic engineering advise to deal with AEMO requirements helping determine the technical case (load flow and harmonics analysis). We prepared Delay and Disruption and Liquidated Damages claims. 

We assisted clients to form Joint Venture agreements to complete feasibility studies to bankable quality, develop and ECI and produce an overall project delivery strategy. 

We acted on offshore oil and gas production platforms, subsea pipelines, onshore gas-conversion refinery projects, fuel gas areas, pump houses, Steam Turbine Generators (STG) area and Power Plants, gas wellhead skids, crude units, fluid catalytic crackers, light products plants, polymerization plants, amine plants, sulphur plants, and impurities treatment plants. 

From coal and iron ore loaders and unloaders, transport and port storage agreements, to TVM tunnelling, underground and overhead track to underground, on-ground and elevated stations, with retail sections, maintenance facilities, ticketing and operations and maintenance contracts. We assist clients with all authority approvals. 

Level 10, 440 Collins Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

info@bakermerz.com.au

Call for an estimate 03 9448 2315