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Greg Richards

Partner

Brisbane

Greg’s practice focuses on dispute resolution for clients in the building, construction and engineering industries.

Greg has 30 years’ experience in various forms of dispute resolution (including litigation, expert determination, mediation, arbitration and adjudication) concerning a wide range of issues arising on construction projects and is accustomed to handling complex claims and settlements.

Greg uses legal processes to full effect to achieve strategic outcomes for clients. His extensive experience acting for a wide range of industry participants including principals, contractors, consultants, insurers and liquidators gives him a unique perspective and valuable insights into construction disputes and how best to resolve them.

Greg regularly lectures on construction law topics for legal education providers.

Greg has been involved in dispute resolution concerning major construction projects including the Gold Coast Light Rail, Cross River Rail, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Wembley Stadium, energy projects, major commercial developments and mining and coal seam gas projects.

Greg has been described in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as ‘one of the best in the Brisbane market’ and as ‘detailed, easy to work with’.

  • +61 421 617 088
  • +61 7 3228 0443

Memberships, Accreditation and Activities

  • Recommended Lawyer, Construction/ Infrastructure Law, Best Lawyers in Australia
  • Recommended Lawyer, Construction Law, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
  • Finalist, Australasian Law Awards, Partner of the Year 2017 (Open category)
  • Finalist, Australasian Law Awards, Partner of the Year 2017 (Construction and infrastructure).

Expertise

Greg’s expertise includes:

  • Issues arising under building, construction and engineering contracts including:
    • delay related claims (extensions of time, liquidated damages and delay costs)
    • variations
    • latent conditions
    • defective works and materials
    • contract interpretation issues
    • termination of contracts
  • Dispute resolution under construction and engineering contracts including expert determination, litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution including mediation
  • Security of Payment including:
    • payment claims
    • payment schedules
    • adjudication applications
    • adjudication responses
  • Jurisdictional challenges to adjudication decisions and decisions of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.
  • Intellectual property issues concerning construction designs (e.g. copyright issues)
  • Licensing laws under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991
  • Building products laws under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 including in relation to Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP)
  • Professional negligence issues in relation to construction and engineering professionals including designers, architects, engineers, superintendents and loss adjusters
  • Project advice in relation to contractual entitlements and statutory entitlements including risk mitigation and contract administration.
  • Claims under the Australian Consumer Law including for misleading or deceptive conduct
  • Access issues under s.180 of the Property Law Act 1974 (Qld).

Recent Matters

  • Acting in proceedings the Federal Court of Australia for a retail electricity provider concerning disputes over the construction of energy projects including a solar farm and gas fired power station
  • Advising the JV Contractors on the Cross River Rail Project in relation to various contractor claims
  • Acting for an international design consultant in relation to the $300m Queensland Supreme Court proceedings concerning the Gold Coast Light Rail Project and in relation to several multi-million dollar adjudications concerning the Gold Coast Light Rail Project
  • Acting for a major civil contractor in the Supreme Court of Queensland concerning a multi-million dollar contractual dispute over a bauxite mine
  • Acting for a national aged care provider in relation to various disputes concerning the construction of retirement villages and aged care homes across Australia
  • Acting in a professional negligence action over the refurbishment of a multi-million dollar super yacht
  • Acting in Federal Court of Australia proceedings for breach of copyright concerning construction designs
  • Acting in a dispute over the construction of a major highway project in Queensland including variation claims and QBCC licensing issues
  • Acting in various matters involving access issues for building works including applications for access under s.180 of the Property Law Act 1974 (Qld)
  • Acting for a major contractor in proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia concerning calls on securities under a construction contract
  • Advising parties on regulatory issues under relevant legislation affecting the building and construction industry including licensing and building products laws under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991
  • Acting in proceedings to set aside decisions of the QBCC
  • Advising on contractual issues arising under construction contracts and consultancy agreements.

Memberships, Accreditation & Activities

  • Recommended Lawyer, Construction/ Infrastructure Law, Best Lawyers in Australia
  • Recommended Lawyer, Construction Law, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
  • Finalist, Australasian Law Awards, Partner of the Year 2017 (Open category)
  • Finalist, Australasian Law Awards, Partner of the Year 2017 (Construction and infrastructure).