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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Principal of Vincent Young, Brett has over 20 years’ experience as a senior lawyer.
Brett is a rare breed in the law. His combination of on-site construction engineering experience combined with decades 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.
Prior to establishing the business in 2005, Brett worked in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and England. He also worked as an in-house construction lawyer for Sydney Airport for three years preparing for the Sydney Olympics. Brett has been involved in all aspects of construction and development related to buildings, as well as mining, gas pipelines, infrastructure, bridges, communications, roads and civil works. His experience with building goes well beyond law.
Before undertaking legal studies, Brett worked for nine years as Wormald Pipe System’s first construction cadet, as a junior project manager with TW Crow and as Incoll Management’s first project manager. Because of his first-hand on-site, in-house and legal experience, Brett is acutely aware of the necessity for practical, timely and cost-effective legal advice. It was for these reasons that he founded Vincent Young.
Brett now specialises in contract drafting and the more technical construction and engineering claims. In addition to being qualified in construction management and law, Brett has attained a Masters of Law, specialising in energy law. His thesis was on the law concerning coal seam gas.
He has been recognised repeatedly in the Doyles Guide as a recommended construction and infrastructure lawyer since 2015.
Vick has worked at Vincent Young since November 2016 and is part of the construction group. In recognition of his accomplishments, Vick was awarded the 2024 Doyles Guide Rising Star Award for Construction.
During his time, Vick has honed his skills in both front-end and back-end construction matters. In terms of front-end, Vick has drafted and negotiated complex construction contracts for both developers and head contractors, and as for back-end, Vick has successfully led teams in litigation, adjudication and mediation in complex construction disputes.
Before joining Vincent Young, Vick worked as an Assistant Contracts Manager for a statutory board in Singapore where he was responsible for the management and administration of tender and contract documents of major infrastructure projects.
Simon has more than 10 years of experience in construction law. He holds a degree in civil engineering and is a dual-qualified lawyer in Australia and Hong Kong.
He has good experience in back-end construction matters, having conducted construction litigations in NCAT, Local Court, District Court and the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
In terms of front-end work, he regularly advises principals, contractors and subcontractors on the drafting and negotiation of contracts.
Prior to joining Vincent Young, Simon worked as an in-house lawyer in one of the largest international contractors. He has also worked at an international law firm while he was based in Hong Kong, advising public sector clients on major infrastructure disputes and contracts.
Duncan has extensive experience both as a solicitor and commercial barrister, with a focus on building and construction disputes.
During Duncan’s time as a barrister, Duncan advised on many building and construction disputes and he has appeared led in the New South Wales Court of Appeal, NSW Supreme Court, District Court, Local Court as well as in NCAT, arbitrations (domestic and international), mediations and expert determinations.
Our contract reviews don’t just tell you the risk we propose commercially pragmatic amendments.
We amend, draft and negotiate head contracts, subcontracts, consultancies and other project agreements.
Our advisory services span variation and extension of time disputes through to complex legal/project issues.
Training for project teams on contract administration, dispute avoidance and general refreshers on industry specific legislation.
Preparation of payment claims, payment schedules, adjudication applications and responses and challenging determinations in Court.
We establish and resource dedicated teams to long running arbitrations (both domestic and international) and litigation.
