Skip to main content

We live and breathe construction

 

We aren’t like other law firms. We cut through. We speak plainly and provide no-nonsense advice. We manage deals to completion and resolve disputes. The management of construction issues is at the core of our practice. Our partners are experts in contract drafting, contract advice and disputation. Vincent Young construction lawyers have handled some of the most complex and significant matters in the industry.

Security of Payments

 

We know the Security of Payments Act (SOPA) like the back of our hand. Our construction team are considered market leaders in SOPA, having handled more cases than any other firm.

The Vincent Young name is present on a number of touchstone appellant level cases. We have been involved in some of the largest adjudications run in Australia.

Our focus is to ensure that our clients enter reasonable contracts, keep out of disputes and achieve successful outcomes. We manage every matter within the timeframe, budget and risk profile agreed with you.

Litigation and dispute resolution

 

We act in all courts, across all Australian jurisdictions for main contractors and other industry participants involved in infrastructure, construction and engineering disputes.

Our approach is commercially driven, outcome orientated and founded on a deep knowledge of the law and an understanding of first principles. We have expertise in litigation, arbitration and expert determination and all forms of alternate dispute resolution.

Contract preparation and advice

 

Our construction team has extensive experience in guiding clients through the early stages of large-scale construction projects. From the choice of procurement methodology to the drafting of project documents, from amended Australian Standards to bespoke project agreements.

Our knowledge is shaped by extensive dispute resolution experience with attentiveness to risk allocation and mitigation at the front end. During the project, our team is available to advise on contract administration, dispute avoidance and the preservation of relationships.

OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM

Partner - Construction

Mark Irwin

Mark is a partner in our construction team with near 20 years’ experience.

Mark is a partner in our construction team with near 20 years’ experience.

Mark’s practice spans both front and back end from contract negotiation and drafting through to all forms of dispute resolution and advisory services across multiple jurisdictions.

In terms of litigation and dispute resolution Mark has extensive experience in all dispute resolution processes from mediation to adjudication, expert determination and arbitration and has litigated in all relevant courts and tribunals (including the Court of Appeal on multiple occasions).

In terms of drafting Mark has drafted numerous head contracts and bespoke subcontract suites for main contractors.

Mark has been involved in a number of touchstone cases on Security of Payments.

Founder & Partner - Construction

Brett Vincent

Brett has 30 years of specialised construction law experience coupled with 10 years of hands-on construction engineering work.

Brett is a rare breed in the law. His combination of 10 years of on-site construction engineering experience combined with 30 years in construction law makes him unique amongst his peers. Hands-on and fearless – this forms the heart of the Vincent Young philosophy and market edge.

His technical knowledge transcends the law. He loves nothing more than to get on-site and get to the heart of an issue in order to find the smartest solution. From advising on claims preparation and interpretation of contracts through to court and international arbitration.

Brett holds a B App Sc (Project Management), Dip Law and LLM. During his extensive career as a lawyer he has worked with all parties across the construction industry – from main contractors to principals, consultants and subcontractors.

Brett has run some of the most pre-eminent legal cases in the construction industry in the last 30 years. He has been recognised repeatedly in the Doyles Guide as a recommended construction and infrastructure lawyer since 2015.

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Contract reviews

Our contract reviews don’t just tell you the risk we propose commercially pragmatic amendments.

Drafting and negotiation

We amend, draft and negotiate head contracts, subcontracts, consultancies and other project agreements.

Advising

Our advisory services span variation and extension of time disputes through to complex legal/project issues.

Seminars and training

Training for project teams on contract administration, dispute avoidance and general refreshers on industry specific legislation.

Security of payments

Preparation of payment claims, payment schedules, adjudication applications and responses and challenging determinations in Court.

Arbitration and litigation

We establish and resource dedicated teams to long running arbitrations (both domestic and international) and litigation.