In the Brisbane Construction Industry, with all of its challenges, you need expert advice on your construction projects from Construction Lawyers who are based in Brisbane.
- Deep Industry Insights: We know the Brisbane Construction Industry inside out. We give you expert advice that’s not just about laws but real-world solutions for your challenges.
- Your Exclusive Legal Team: You won’t be handed off to junior lawyers. You’ll work directly with our experienced professionals throughout your project, ensuring our complete focus on your success.
- All-Round Support: We’re not just about legal stuff. We’ll help you with everything from smart procurement to risk assessments, contract management and dispute resolution. We’re your one-stop support for every aspect of your business.
- Nationwide Reach: Wherever you are in Australia, we’re ready to assist. Location is never a barrier to getting the help you need. And Rachelle has advised and practiced around Australia – she knows the intricacies of the construction laws in the different States and Territories.
- Risk Reduction, No Surprises: Our legal advice isn’t just about compliance. It’s about protecting your projects, your people and your bottom line. We’re here to keep things smooth and predictable and help you mitigate risk in your business.
We understand your practical issues and provide tailored advice based on our vast experience in businesses like yours. With us, you get personalised service, expert advice, and a partner committed to your success.
Why you need an expert Construction Lawyer Brisbane
Navigating the complexities of the Construction Industry in Brisbane requires expert advice from Construction Law specialists like us. Blaze Business & Legal, a leading Brisbane-based Construction Law firm, is here to provide you with the legal and business support and in depth knowledge you need for your construction projects. We’re industry participants just like you.
Located in Clayfield, Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast, Blaze Business & Legal provides:
- Specialist Legal Advice on Construction Law, Construction Projects, Construction Contracts and the Construction Industry; and
- Business advice on other aspects of your operations, commercial activities, procurement, compliance and finances.
Blaze Business & Legal provides advice and assistance throughout Australia on both legal and business matters. We’re based in Brisbane, Queensland, but we’re ready to travel to you if needed – we have substantial expertise practising across Australia.
Our Construction Law Services
We help our clients carry out construction projects that are legally sound from the project planning stage through to final completion. Our services include:
1. Legal Advisory Services
- Project Delivery Methods: Advising on the most suitable project delivery methods (e.g., design-build, EPC, traditional).
- Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal risks associated with construction projects.
- Compliance: Ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including building codes, safety standards, and environmental laws.
2. Tendering and Bidding
- Bid Preparation: Assisting with the preparation of bids, ensuring they are legally compliant and competitive.
- Bid Review: Reviewing bid documents for legal accuracy and completeness.
- Bid Protests: Representing clients in bid protests and addressing any irregularities or disputes arising from the bidding process.
3. Project Structuring
- Advising on Joint Ventures and Partnerships
- Joint Venture Agreements: Drafting and negotiating joint venture agreements for collaborative construction projects.
- Partnership Agreements: Advising on the formation and operation of partnerships involved in construction projects.
4. Project Documentation
- Drafting Project Documents: Preparing necessary project documents, including scopes of work, specifications, and schedules.
- Change Orders: Drafting and reviewing change orders to manage modifications to the project scope.
- Legal Communication: Establishing protocols for clear and legally compliant communication among all project stakeholders.
5. Contract Preparation
Legal advice on Project Delivery and Project Delivery Methods
Drafting of Construction Contracts
Creating clear, comprehensive, and enforceable contracts tailored to the specific needs of the project.
Creating clear, enforceable contracts is crucial for the success of any construction project. Our construction lawyers will draft and review contracts to ensure they protect your interests and comply with all relevant laws.
6. Contract Review
Review of Construction Contracts
Thoroughly examining existing contracts to identify potential risks and ensure compliance with relevant laws.
Recommending amendments to enhance the risk allocation of the contract and make it more favourable to the client, ensure compliance with the law, and ensure the contract terms and conditions work for the client in practice (eg timing of payment).
7. Risk Management
Advice on Risk Management (both legal and non-legal)
8. Regulatory Compliance
Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the construction industry requires expert guidance. Our lawyers will help you understand and comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
This helps ensure compliance with Brisbane, Queensland and Australian building and construction laws.
9. Contract Negotiation
Advising on Contract Negotiations
Assisting in negotiating terms to secure favourable conditions and mitigate risks.
Facilitating Contract Negotiations
10. Contract Disputes
Mediating Contract Disputes and negotiating agreed outcomes
Providing advice around payment disputes, Security of Payment Act issues and disputes, and building industry fairness issues.
While Rachelle will advise on a contractual dispute (eg payment claims under the Security of Payment Act), help her clients to resolve disputes and advises on dispute resolution within a contract or project, should her clients need to commence a formal dispute resolution or litigation process for a dispute, she works with them to transition their matter to experienced back-end Construction Litigation Lawyers (and can provide recommendations if needed).
She will continue to support her client on other matters while they are in litigation or other dispute resolution processes.
11. Payment and Security Advice
- Payment Structures: Advising on payment structures and mechanisms, including progress payments and retention.
- Security of Payment: Ensuring compliance with the Security of Payment Act and advising on payment disputes and claims.
12. Dispute Avoidance and Resolution
- Dispute Avoidance: Implementing strategies and practices to avoid disputes during the project lifecycle.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Advising on and facilitating ADR processes such as mediation and arbitration to resolve conflicts without litigation.
13. Training and Education
- Training Programs: Providing training on contracts, contract management, legal compliance, and risk management for project teams.
- Legal Updates: Keeping clients informed about changes in construction law and regulations that impact their projects.
14. Insurance and Bonds Advice
- Insurance Coverage: Advising on appropriate insurance coverage for construction projects, including liability, professional indemnity, and project-specific policies.
- Performance Bonds: Assisting with the procurement of performance bonds and advising on their legal implications.
These services help ensure that construction projects are legally sound, financially viable, and efficiently managed, minimising risks and maximising successful outcomes.
Understanding Construction Law
Construction Law encompasses all legal matters related to the construction process after land acquisition. It’s a complex field that intertwines with various aspects of law and business, such as contract law, employment law, building and construction disputes, property development law, industrial relations law, environmental law, major projects, and commercial law.
Building and Construction Law crosses over many industries, including Construction, Civil, Infrastructure, Commercial Construction, Domestic Construction (home-building), Development, Energy, Renewable Energy, Water, Wastewater, Waste Treatment, Mining, and many others.
Role of Brisbane Construction Lawyers
A Law Firm specialising in Construction Law, such as Blaze Business & Legal, can provide legal advice, draft and review contracts, ensure compliance with legislative requirements concerning building and construction, and assist in resolving building and construction disputes so that your construction company can get the best out of your project.
Choosing the right Construction Lawyer – who understands your business, the Building and Construction Industry, the Brisbane landscape, and Construction Law issues – can significantly impact the success of your construction project and your business overall.
Which type of Construction Lawyers in Brisbane do I need?
Construction Lawyers are often specialists in either “front-end” (projects and contracts, including contract preparation and advice) or “back-end” (construction disputes and litigation) Building and Construction Law. This applies in the Building and Construction Industry in Brisbane, Queensland, and throughout Australia.
Rachelle is an expert in contract planning, drafting, contract review, negotiation, disputes, management, and strategy within Australia.
She is a specialist front-end Building and Construction Lawyer who advises on dispute resolution (up until a formal dispute resolution proceeding is required, if it ever is). This gives Rachelle the best ability to help her clients across all aspects of their construction projects and business.
If you carry out construction work in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast, or the rest of Queensland, you need a specialist Brisbane Construction Lawyer who can advise you on the Queensland-specific legislation that applies to your business.
Choosing the Right Construction Lawyer Brisbane
Choosing the right Construction Lawyer in Brisbane can significantly impact the success of a Construction Project.
Factors to consider include:
- the Lawyer’s experience in Construction Law;
- their understanding of the local Construction landscape and building issues on projects like yours;
- their experience in working with different Construction Contract types;
- whether or not they have worked for a Construction company (and understand how your business operates);
- whether they are specialists at resolving disputes. If you have a serious building dispute (eg about defective works or security), whether they are Building Dispute Lawyers or Construction Dispute Lawyers, or whether you have a Security of Payment matter or a debt recovery matter; and
- their approach to client service and how they handle your legal matter.
Did you know: over her career, Rachelle has worked in the Legal Departments – as Acting General Counsel or as Senior Legal Counsel – for Thiess, Laing O’Rourke, Airservices Australia, DHA, Golding Contractors, Acciona and UGL.
Blaze Business & Legal are Expert Construction Lawyers in Brisbane
Blaze Business & Legal understands the intricacies of the Construction Industry and specialises in advising construction companies holistically across Legal, Contract Management, Financial, Commercial, Operational, Procurement and Compliance.
With 23+ years of experience in the field and starting as a Construction Lawyer at McCullough Robertson in Brisbane, Rachelle Hare has dedicated her career to helping clients navigate the complexities of Construction Law, Construction Contracts and Construction Projects in Brisbane, Queensland and Australia.
Through Blaze Business & Legal, Rachelle Hare provides personalised, expert advice to construction company owners and building companies, leadership and management in Brisbane, helping them to navigate the complex legal landscape in the Construction and related industries, including Development, Mining, Energy, Infrastructure, Civil and many more.
Rachelle mainly focuses on helping her clients carry out their projects. She provides legal advice, advises on Project Delivery and Project Delivery Methods, drafts and reviews Construction Contracts, advises on risk management (both legal and non-legal), assists with Contract Negotiations, advises on resolving disputes and negotiating agreed outcomes (including around payment disputes, Security of Payment Act issues and disputes, and building industry fairness issues). This helps ensure compliance with Brisbane, Queensland and Australian building and construction laws.
While Rachelle will advise on a contractual dispute (eg payment claims under the Security of Payment Act), help her clients to resolve disputes and advises on dispute resolution within a contract or project, should her clients need to commence a formal dispute resolution or litigation process for a dispute, she works with them to transition their matter to experienced back-end Construction Litigation Lawyers (and can provide recommendations if needed). She will continue to support her client on other matters while they are in litigation or other dispute resolution processes.
We don’t carry out debt recovery, however, we can refer you to a close colleague to assist. Our colleague has a huge amount of experience in building disputes and in the development arena, so you will be in good hands.
We can also advise on financial matters. Shannon Drew has over 20 years of experience as a Management Accountant in preparing cash flow forecasts, streamlining Accounts Departments and helping construction companies run more cost-effectively.
Why Choose Blaze Business & Legal as Your Construction Lawyer?
- We have over 23 years of experience in providing building and construction legal services and advice to businesses.
- We’re based in Brisbane and advise clients all around Australia. We’re more than happy to travel to those important meetings where having all the key people in the room is essential.
- More than that, we have deliberately combined business advisory services, management consultancy services and legal services, so we can work with you across any issue that arises without saying those dreaded words, “Oh, that’s not a legal issue.”
- We always aim to provide our clients the best possible service and advice.
- Because we are Business Advisers, Management Consultants, and Legal Advisers, we don’t cut our advice to you short just because it doesn’t fit within the “legal box”.
- We are specialists in areas outside of Construction Law and Legal Services as well, and we can provide full-service advice to your business on most issues that arise.
- We advise extensively on risk management and compliance, and we help you make informed decisions about your Queensland building projects and specialist building issues.
Check out our Articles related to Construction Law
FAQs
1. What is Construction Law?
Construction Law encompasses all legal matters related to the construction process after land acquisition. It’s a complex field that intertwines with various aspects of law and business, such as contract law, employment law, industrial relations law, environmental law, major projects, and commercial law.
2. What does a Construction Lawyer do?
A Construction Lawyer provides legal advice on Construction Law issues, drafts and reviews Construction Contracts, gives advice on Project Delivery Methods, gives legal advice during a construction project, assists in dispute resolution, and ensures compliance with local building codes and regulations.
3. Why is understanding Construction Law important?
Understanding Construction Law is crucial as it helps navigate the complexities of the construction process, minimises legal risks, and prevents potential disputes.
4. What should I consider when choosing a Construction Lawyer in Brisbane?
Consider the Lawyer’s experience in Construction Law, their understanding of the Brisbane, Queensland and Australian construction landscape, and their approach to client service. Experience working in a construction company is a bonus.
5. What is the role of a Construction Lawyer in drafting contracts?
A Construction Lawyer ensures that the Contracts are fair, clear, and enforceable. They protect the interests of their client and minimise potential legal risks.
6. What do Construction Lawyers do in Australia?
Construction Lawyers in Australia advise their clients – whether Principals, Contractors, Subcontractors, Owners, or other industry players – about how to draft their construction contract, carry out their construction project or provide construction works or services, and resolve construction disputes.
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About the Author
Rachelle Hare
Rachelle Hare is a highly experienced Construction Lawyer and Contract Lawyer, with over 23 years of experience in Tier 1 and Tier 2 Construction Firms, Top Tier Private Practice and Government.With 23+ years of experience as a Senior Lawyer, Strategic Contracting Adviser and Management Consultant in Construction Law, Contracts, Major Projects, Commercial Advisory, Compliance, Procurement, Contract Management and Risk Management, Rachelle has the rare skills to offer you seamless business advice and legal advice to help support your organisation.
As well as a Lawyer and Business Adviser, Rachelle has also acted as a Strategic Procurement Adviser, Compliance Manager, Strategic Risk Adviser and Commercial Manager.Rachelle owns Blaze Business & Legal, a combined Commercial Law Firm and Business Advisory Firm located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Blaze Business & Legal assists a broad range of clients in the Construction Industry and related industries, and advises owners, contractors, subcontractors, NFPs and other organisations on a broad range of Construction Law, Commercial Law, Business Advisory and Management Consulting issues in Brisbane, Queensland and around Australia. Rachelle also owns Blaze Professional Learning, where she offers practical contracting skills, hands-on experience in drafting and working with contracts, and industry insights to help Professionals upskill and advance their careers with real-world skills.
And Rachelle owns Brisbane Livewell Clinic, an Allied Health, Natural Therapies and Wellness Clinic in Wavell Heights and Cannon Hill.
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