Areas of Expertise

Engineering and Construction, Building and infrastructure, Project implementation and dispute resolution, Court, arbitration, and expert disputes, Mediation, Strategic advice

Richard specialises in major projects both in Australia and in other countries, providing end-to-end strategic advice and dispute resolution work for his clients, who range across owners and contractors, specialist subcontractors, professional services groups and universities and schools.

This role includes project planning and scheduling, selection and development of contracts, tender negotiations for all project development stages and the final implementation of projects. All forms of industry standard contracts and many bespoke project specific contract forms are applied in this work. The contracts range across turnkey and EPC delivery, alliances and other relationship contracts, phased early contractor involvement project delivery and traditional design and construct or construct-only contracts.

Where claims and disputes arise, Richard’s work includes advice about, and implementation of, claims, responses, and settlement processes including mediation and negotiation steps. If early resolution is not achieved the work includes dispute resolution though national and international arbitration, courts and by expert determination processes.

The benefit of Richard’s end-to-end expertise and skills is to enable an in-depth understanding of project expectations for all project owners and contractors delivering them, and to find solutions that would not always be apparent if the contracts risk stage is treated separately from the risk and management of dispute resolution.

What others say

"Leading Lawyer, Construction - Western Australia"
Doyle's Guide 2015 - 2022

Experience

Civmec Construction and Engineering

Acting for Civmec Construction and Engineering, a listed major heavy engineering contractor, in Supreme Court claims relating to fabrication and construction of the major steel and precast contract structures of Optus Stadium. Also acted for Civmec in obtaining resolution of claims for fabrication and delivery of shiploader infrastructure for the Amrun project in Qld, by court actions in WA and Qld and then by settlement.

Curtin University

Working with Curtin University, to establish standard contracts and project procedures for delivery of large capital projects, and all related professional services consultant contracts. This has included working with the capital projects team to deliver planning, design and construction of recent projects such as the School of Design and the Built Environment, and the BL Robertson library Re-development.

Decmil Group

Acting for ASX-listed Decmil Group in obtaining resolution of claims arising on the Sunraysia Solar Farm infrastructure in NSW, by arbitrations in NSW and WA, and mediated settlements. Also acting for Decmil-related companies in resolving claims relating to Modular Prison building and infrastructure project at sites across in New Zealand, by arbitration in New Zealand and mediation settlement.

BGC Construction

Acting for BGC Construction on claims in arbitration relating to a large mixed-use project, and separately in relation to claims on the expansion of a shopping centre being resolved by expert determination.

RUC Mining

Working with RUC Mining to establish and operate under contracts to deliver mine development projects in NSW and the Northern Territory.

Civil and road contractors

Working with many civil and road contractors to deliver road infrastructure projects to Main Roads in WA and to VicRoads in Victoria.