Types of disputes we handle

  • General commercial and contractual disputes
  • Building and construction disputes
  • Disputes involving technical or engineering issues
  • Environment and planning appeals
  • Defamation claims
  • Trade practices breaches
  • Injunctions to prevent or require actions

 Advice as to alternative methods of dispute resolution

  • Our experience in alternative methods of dispute resolution enables us to advise parties as to the most cost effective to bring their disputes to an end
  • Due to the high cost of litigation through the courts, many parties are now prepared to consider alternatives such as, mediation, mini trial, expert determination or arbitration. Our lawyers can provide advice as to the appropriateness of each of these (and other) processes
  • Our lawyers are trained mediators
  • Consensual adjudication provisions may be appropriate for the timely completion of infrastructure development projects. Adjudication clauses assist parties to complete their project while reserving the right to have unresolved issues determined subsequent to completion.

 Advice on preparation for potential future claims

  • Major claims can take years to prepare. Limitation periods apply, but parties often wait up to 6 years from the date of suffering the loss before bringing their claim. Where injury is caused to a minor, the time delay from the event to the institution of proceedings can be 20 years.
  • It is common for the relevant employees to have moved on and the records of the event to have been misplaced by the time that the litigation is instituted.
  • We can advise on prudent steps to take in preparing for future major claims.

 Cost effective management of major claims

  •  A major claim can typically run for 4 to 5 years before reaching trial. Significant costs can be wasted during this process by unnecessary pre trial disputes
  • Our lawyers’ experience in assessing the significance of relevant issues assists in determining what matters should be contested during the pre-trial process.
  • With a lean structure and a targeted approach we can offer and deliver cost effective management of major claims.