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Insights on the

issues that matter

 

The law is complex and ever changing. Small amendments to legislation can have serious impact throughout the industry and broader economy. Seemingly minor details can make or break a business.

That’s why our team are constantly researching, writing and documenting the latest changes to the law. By placing focus on writing and commentary we ensure our team and our clients stay one step ahead of the competition.

Meet the Writers Guild

 

Our Writers Guild are some of the most prolific drafters in the industry. Our Senior Associates meet once a week to research, debate and write about the major issues facing our clients and the broader sector. We believe that by researching these matters it helps to inform our team and our clients, ensuring every move we make is deeply researched and considered. These deep insights form part of our winning formula at Vincent Young.

Contact us if you would like us to present to your organisation on any of the matters in our papers.

Latest articles

Contractors, Be Prepared – Key changes to building laws from 3 July 2024 ConstructionDevelopment
22 May, 2023

Contractors, Be Prepared – Key changes to building laws from 3 July 2024

Introduction From 3 July 2024, the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW) (DBPA) and Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 (NSW) (RABA) will apply to the construction of new class 3 and 9c buildings. This article sets out the key changes of which contractors should be…
Superintendent: An Agent Or Independent Of The Principal? ConstructionDevelopment
16 May, 2023

Superintendent: An Agent Or Independent Of The Principal?

Case Note on V601 v Probuild VSC 849 Background This case concerns a development of five separate buildings comprising commercial suites and residential apartments. V601 was the developer. V601 engaged Probuild to design and construct the project under an amended contract form of AS4902-2000 (Contract). Issues The issues concerned time-related…
To market, to market: Calculation of market value compensation in the compulsory land acquisition process in NSW Property & Projects
28 April, 2023

To market, to market: Calculation of market value compensation in the compulsory land acquisition process in NSW

During the compulsory process of land acquisition, disputes can arise regarding whether the compensation offered is on just terms for the owners of land. The recent case of G&J Drivas Pty Ltd v Sydney Metro NSWLEC 20 provides further guidance on how the Court assesses compensation of land. Process Land…
Proving Causation Against Third Party Professionals In The Building Industry Construction
19 April, 2023

Proving Causation Against Third Party Professionals In The Building Industry

The case of Mistrina Pty Ltd v Australian Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd NSWCA 223 (Mistrina) considers the current state of the law with regard to proving causation where a party claims loss against a third party based on allegations of misleading and deceptive conduct. In the building and construction industry, the…
Application of Limitation Periods to the Statutory Duty of Care under the Design and Building Practitioners Act ConstructionProperty & Projects
12 April, 2023

Application of Limitation Periods to the Statutory Duty of Care under the Design and Building Practitioners Act

The introduction of the Design and Building Practitioners Act (DBPA) represents a tremendous reform for the construction industry. The duty of care imposed by section 37 has the potential to impact both businesses and individuals significantly. Industry stakeholders should be aware of the limitation periods applying to this duty. Relevant…
An Adjudicator’s Power to Request Further Submissions ConstructionSecurity of Payments
23 March, 2023

An Adjudicator’s Power to Request Further Submissions

Pursuant to section 21(4) of Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 No 46 (NSW)(SOPA), adjudicators have powers to request further submission from either party provided that the other party has an opportunity to reply. Adjudicators can exercise this power any time after an initial submission has been…
Double Trouble: Increase to Foreign Investment financial penalties DevelopmentProperty & Projects
31 January, 2023

Double Trouble: Increase to Foreign Investment financial penalties

  Starting 1 January 2023, penalties for breaching Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) regulations related to foreign acquisitions of residential land will be doubled, per the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth). This measure, further to the 2022 changes, has been introduced as part of the Labor Government’s 2022…
“You’ve Been Served” – Or Have You? Electronic Service Under SOPA Construction
30 January, 2023

“You’ve Been Served” – Or Have You? Electronic Service Under SOPA

  The increasing integration of technology into the construction industry has brought on a range of new methods of delivery of information which have substantially replaced traditional post. The legal process of ‘service’ is no exception and has been the subject of dramatic change to account for technologies such as…
Contractors Beware – NCAT Decision on Work Orders and The Application of Margins Construction
26 January, 2023

Contractors Beware – NCAT Decision on Work Orders and The Application of Margins

  Case Note: Patel v Southern Cross Joinery Pty Limited NSWCATCD 162 The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), unlike any other Court, can make costs orders and work orders. Contractors must behave professionally when carrying out construction works. Otherwise, Contractors may have costs ordered against them, rather than a…
What is the evidentiary threshold for combustible cladding? ConstructionProperty & Projects
23 January, 2023

What is the evidentiary threshold for combustible cladding?

  In our previous article published this October titled, “Governments react to combustible cladding following the Grenfell fire?”, we discussed NSW and UK government reactions to combustible cladding post-Grenfell. Here, we ask what evidence is required to determine whether the builder or developer is liable to replace retrospectively-banned cladding. Biowood…
New Licensing Regime for NSW and the Commercial Construction Sector ConstructionDevelopment
9 January, 2023

New Licensing Regime for NSW and the Commercial Construction Sector

  If you are carrying out commercial construction work or considering moving into the commercial construction sector on the basis of its (currently) relaxed licensing requirements, we recommend that you read this article. NSW is the only jurisdiction in Australia that does not require a building licence to carry out…
New NSW Government Commercial Principles ConstructionProperty & Projects
3 January, 2023

New NSW Government Commercial Principles

  On 1 September 2022, the NSW Government published its “Commercial principles on escalation risk for infrastructure projects” (Commercial Principles) to guide contractors and government agencies through the current inflationary environment. The Commercial Principles recognise cost escalation as a foreseeable risk that can be managed. These are intended as a…
Comparison of Home Warranty Insurance Schemes    Construction
26 December, 2022

Comparison of Home Warranty Insurance Schemes   

What is Homeowners’ Warranty Insurance? Homeowners warranty insurance (HWI) is a type of mandatory insurance designed to protect homeowners in the event that certain residential building works are defective or incomplete. HWI is known by many different names throughout Australia. National Approach Currently there is no uniform national approach to…