Partner

Peter Meades

Recognised as a leading lawyer in Australia and New Zealand, Peter brings extensive experience to the Mills Oakley national Building, Construction & Infrastructure team. He has advised a broad range of participants in the construction industry both initially in the UK and, since 1995, in Australia.

Peter has dealt with significant disputes throughout his career, whether on appeal or before various courts at first instance. He is sought out for his strategic advice and documentation skills in major projects. Peter has been involved in the delivery of notable industrial, residential and commercial projects across Australia.

Peter’s experience includes alternative dispute resolution, statutory claims including those brought under the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) and the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW). He has acted in arbitrations, mediations, expert determinations as well as matters requiring urgent interlocutory orders including injunctions and matters before all courts.

Peter is a focused, commercial and trusted advisor to his clients.

Expertise

Peter’s expertise includes:

  • Project advice
  • Providing guidance on best form of contract or agreement
  • Analysis of cost effective risk profiles
  • Drafting terms and provisions of all forms of agreements and negotiating outcomes
  • Project analysis
  • Advising on particular issues that arise during a current project in order to minimise risk and conflict
  • Assistance in protecting client project interests and outcomes
  • Project dispute
  • Advising and providing representation in all forms of disputes including Security of Payment Act claims, schedules, adjudications and enforcement, mediation, arbitration, NCAT and Local, District and Supreme Court proceedings

Recent Projects

  • Advising on and drafting project documentation for the multi-million dollar and major refurbishment of an iconic Sydney landmark hotel.
  • Advising a government agency on construction related issues in documentation for renewable energy sites throughout Australia.
  • Providing analysis and advice on project issues in major mixed development projects to assist the client achieving its project return.
  • Providing analysis on a distressed project to optimise return through potential termination or replacement of builder or enforcement of contractual entitlements.
  • Representing defendants in two related Supreme Court cases (ongoing) regarding the breakdown in a 15 year joint venture resulting in a multi-million dollar claim against the represented defendants and dealing with the newly introduced Section 66Zl of the Conveyancing Act 1919.
  • Representing a key shareholder, director and related company in a successful Supreme Court action to recover over $10m in damages arising from a development project in Sydney.
  • Representing an Owners Corporation in Supreme Court proceedings that involves novel law in tort and a very significant damages claim.

Professional Memberships / Accreditation & Activities

  • Recommended Lawyer, Construction,  Doyle’s Guide.

    Sector

location

Sydney

Thinking

Projects & Construction
Design Compliance Declarations
MO
Planning & Environment
Changes to Sydney construction ban
MO
Planning & Environment
Sydney construction work ‘paused’ due to...
Projects & Construction
Mills Oakley Quick Fix – October 2020 ...
Projects & Construction
NSW cracks down on construction industry –...
MO
COVID-19
NSW Government 20 year 50% discount on land...
MO
COVID-19
The silver lining for developers in the NSW...
MO
COVID-19
COVID-19 – HomeBuilder Scheme – The...
Projects & Construction
What’s next in NSW building reform? Key...
MO
COVID-19
COVID-19 NSW Public Health Order...
MO
COVID-19
COVID-19 and Construction Contracts – how a...
Projects & Construction
Changes to the NSW SOP Act – What’s new...
Projects & Construction
Security of Payment Regulations released in...
Projects & Construction
Class actions and product bans – cladding...
Projects & Construction
“Biggest overhaul of building laws in...
Projects & Construction
Personal liability for builders after...
Projects & Construction
Liability apportioned for combustible...
Projects & Construction
Opal Tower interim report blames design and...
Projects & Construction
Proposed Security of Payment amendments...
Projects & Construction
Building Reform: Times they are a changin’ ...
Projects & Construction
Security of Payment, Statutory Trusts and...
Projects & Construction
The Shergold and Weir ‘Building...
Projects & Construction
Combustible cladding and non-compliant...
Projects & Construction
No more automatic right to terminate for...
Projects & Construction
Finding the silver lining in an unfavourable...
Insurance
Building Products (Safety) Act 2017 Overview ...
Projects & Construction
Probuild decision shuts the floodgates: High...
Projects & Construction
“DON’T JUMP THE GUN” – the Timing of...
Insurance
Building Products (Safety) Act 2017 expands...
Projects & Construction
A ban on combustible cladding and extending...
Projects & Construction
Defective structure or defective design –...
Projects & Construction
Who’s liable? Combustible cladding prompts...
Insurance
Security for Costs Required of Owners...
Projects & Construction
London fire sparks concern over cladding...
Projects & Construction
Deferral of Strata Building Bond Scheme to 1...
Projects & Construction
BREAKING NEWS: High Court today delivers...
Projects & Construction
‘Fair Play’ – New contract...
Projects & Construction
Forge Group Power Pty Limited (in...
Projects & Construction
Avoiding unpleasant surprises: incorporation...
Projects & Construction
The New Strata Schemes Management...
Projects & Construction
The new Strata Schemes Management Act: Major...
Projects & Construction
Proportionate Liability – Dividing the...
Projects & Construction
Contractual relationships and how they define...
Projects & Construction
Payment Claims over Christmas Break: A Matter...
Insurance
Victorian Decision follows NSW Cases on...
Projects & Construction
The Use of Adjudication Determinations as the...
Insurance
New Non-Smoking Restrictions in Place in NSW ...
Projects & Construction
Arbitration Clauses in Home Building...
Insurance
NSW Supreme Court creates Real Property List ...
Projects & Construction
New Trust Regulations: Administrative Burden...

Special Counsel

Paul Gill

View the next profile