All publications relating to ‘Construction & Infrastructure’
A Higher Evidentiary Burden for Work Orders: The Practical Implications of The Owners – Strata Plan No 102171 v Ceerose Pty Ltd [2025] NSWCATCD 137
The decision in The Owners – Strata Plan No 102171 v Ceerose Pty Ltd; Zone Q Milsons Point Development Pty Ltd v Ceerose Pty Ltd; Ceerose Pty Ltd v Southern Cross Climate Control Pty Ltd [2025] NSWCATCD 137 is a significant development in understanding the evidentiary obligations of an applicant when seeking a work order under…
Strata Plan 92183 v Samdora Pty Ltd [2026] NSWSC 406 | 'Substantive Control' over Works & s37 of the DB&P Act
In this case, the plaintiff (Strata Plan 92183) brought proceedings alleging defective residential building work in relation to 9 town houses located in Mangerton, NSW.Relevantly SP92183 claimed that both the builder’s director (Mr Nassif) and the developer’s director (Mr Chahwan) had both breached their duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid economic…
SP6534 v Elkhouri; Owners Corporation SP6534 v Perpetual Corporate Trust Ltd [2024] NSWCA 279 (in Eq. Div) (27 November 2024)
Background and PartiesMr. Elkhouri (Elkhouri) owned Lot 11, a penthouse apartment in an 11 lot residential strata scheme at Point Piper, Sydney. The lot occupied the top two levels of the building and included balconies and rooftop areas that were common property. When Elkhouri purchased Lot 11 in 2007, he had no exclusive rights…
Australian Anti-Money Laundering AML/CTF Tranche 2 laws are coming
Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Act is designed to stop illegal funds from entering the financial system. It is estimated to be a $68 billion problem in Australia alone. This legislation aims to stop the flow of crime money and bring us in line with the rest of…
Oberto Pty Ltd v The Owners Strata Plan No 2004 No 2 [2026] NSWCATCD 24 & costs in Strata Disputes – Rule 38 of Civil and Administrative Rules 2014
After a lot owner was successful in its claim for damages in an apartment building as a result of an owners corporation’s breach of statutory duty under section 106(1) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, the Tribunal applied rule 38 of the Civil and Administrative Rules 2014 (r38) to award costs…
The Expanding Scope of Developer and Builder Liability: Owners Strata Plan No 66375 v King [2018] NSWCA 170
The New South Wales Court of Appeal’s decision in The Owners Strata Plan No 66375 v King remains one of the most significant authorities on statutory warranties under the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW). The case clarified both the interpretation of section 18B warranties and the breadth of a developer’s liability to…
The extended 6 year limitation period for SSMA section 106 strata claims is not retrospective
In the recent decision of John Goubran & Associates Pty Ltd ACN 070 974 819 v The Owners – Strata Plan 57150 [2026] NSWDC 9 (Goubran) it was held that the limitation period which was amended from 2 years to 6 years from 1 July 2025 under s106(6), is not retrospective and does not extend…
No Apportionment for Section 37 DBP Act Claims even where the alleged concurrent wrongdoer is not a subcontractor of the builder
Kapila v Monument Building Group Pty Ltd [2025] NSWSC 1306 confirms that builders and nominated supervisors can be held fully liable for building defects under section 37 of the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW), even where other professionals, such as engineers, architects or certifiers, also contributed to the defects…
Temporary Disconformity in Building Defects: Myth, Not Law
The “temporary disconformity” argument in construction disputes suggests that defective work identified before practical completion is not a breach while the builder retains a contractual right to rectify. NSW courts have consistently rejected this proposition, confirming that defective work constitutes a breach at the time it is performed.The notion of “temporary disconformity” is sometimes…
The importance of a Request for Tender
Issuing a request for tender (RFT) is more than just securing the best or lowest price. An RFT is your opportunity to manage your project risk and to ensure your project is completed on time and within budget. Your RFT defines the rules of the game (tender process) and the final destination (the…