Mills Oakley Lawyers

Andrew Wallis
Partner
T: 61 2 8289 5810
F: 61 2 9247 1315
M: 0412 012 036  
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Andrew leads the Mills Oakley Construction practice group

Experience
Andrew is a respected building and construction lawyer who specialises in effectively managing and resolving major construction issues and disputes. He drafts, negotiates and advises on complex construction contracts and assists his clients to strategically manage contracts so that they minimise or avoid unnecessary litigation. He is also a skilled litigator, regularly acting for developers, contractors, subcontractors and other industry participants in all forms of dispute resolution.

Andrew has a pragmatic commercial focus and an understanding of the range of fundamental risks involved in the infrastructure development process. He gives his clients early advice on the potential impact of these risk issues on their projects and their success from inception through to construction, disposal and take out.

Andrew is an expert in the legal, strategic and practical aspects of the Security of Payment legislation and has acted both for both sides of adjudications (either claimant or respondent) and is also an official adjudicator. He also has significant experience in resolving disputes over access to neighbouring land.

Expertise
Andrew is an expert in the legal and practical aspects of the Security of Payment legislation and has acted both for parties to adjudications and as an official adjudicator. He also has significant experience in resolving disputes over access to neighbouring land.

Key experience

Andrew’s recent projects include advising and acting for Charter Hall Limited (publicly listed in 2005) (over the past 9 years) in relation to drafting, negotiating and documenting Agreements for Lease with Telstra worth over $300 million for delivery of over 50,000 sqm of commercial office space for the 275 George St and Northbank projects in the Brisbane CBD for Charter Hall Group, then backing the precise delivery obligations into main contract construction contract documentation for this over $300 million construction project, drafting letter of acceptance to get the project moving, advising on all related construction finance issues including builders side deeds and drafting and negotiating a large number of consultancy agreements in respect of this signature project in Brisbane CBD.

Andrew in conjunction with Sparke Helmore and Mallesons for Telstra was nominated for the “Commercial Construction and Property Development Deal of the Year 2006”.

Recent projects include:

• advising and acting for Charter Hall Limited with development documentation and negotiation of construction documentation for other major projects including Agreements for Lease with major tenants such as Amex, CBA and Telstra in relation to numerous major residential, industrial and commercial developments projects valued at $50 to $100 million including most recently:
  • Northbank Plaza, Brisbane
  • 130 Stirling Street, Perth
  • Home HQ North Shore, Artarmon
  • Atrium commercial/retail construction at Pyrmont
  • Zone commercial/retail construction at Sydney Olympic Park
• Acting for Total Communications Infrastructure against Ericsson in relation to the recovering over $25 million in payments owed for installation services in respect of the Telstra 3G network roll out across NSW and Queensland involving making over 10 major Adjudication Applications and defending multiple NSW and Qld Supreme Court proceedings.
• advising St Hilliers Contracting on a multitude of proposed building and development contracts for major works over $25 million as well as making a number of successful Security of Payment claims.
• advising AW Edwards and negotiating on their behalf the documentation in a number of building projects including most recently projects for the construction of the new Hill stand at the SCG, an NRMA call centre in the City, the UNSW student accommodation project, proposed new medical facility for the University of Western Sydney and the Kirribilli Ex-Services Club.
• advising the City of Sydney  in relation to the documentation and negotiation of all development and construction documentation for a multitude of civic improvement projects including most recently the Oxford Street upgrade and Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre Ultimo.
• acting for City of Sydney in defence of claims for extensions of time, delay costs, acceleration and suspension costs relating to removal of contamination from the site of Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre Ultimo project including defending a SOP Act claim Supreme Court proceedings.

Professional Qualifications

• B.A. LL.B (University of NSW)
• Admitted to practice in Australia, England, Wales and Hong Kong

Professional Associations and other roles
Member of the NSW Law Society

Client references
“Andrew is a practical plain language lawyer, committed to consistent and timely client service who supports and enhances our business objectives. He does this through the combination of an understanding of our business imperatives with the provision of sound and practical legal advice.”

Michael Winnem
Director of Development
Charter Hall Group Ltd