Speak to an Engineer-Lawyer now
Skilled construction professionals with extensive project experience.
Baker Merz Construction Lawyers serves as both a legal practice and quantity surveying firm, regulated by the Law Society and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Why opt for a law firm that depends on outside specialists when you can work directly with construction professionals who bring years of practical project experience to their legal practice?
Our team goes beyond traditional lawyers; we are experienced engineers, contract managers, and quantity surveyors who have managed projects and faced practical issues involving clients, subcontractors, consultants, licensing bodies, and local councils. Our principal, a DJUR with MCIBSE, C.Eng, MRICS, and MAIPM certifications, has worked for prominent companies such as Tenova, AECOM, Fluor, and Bateman on projects throughout Western Australia, including the Rockingham area. This practical knowledge allows us to understand your challenges and develop tailored solutions.
Our experience also includes acting as adjudicators, regularly representing clients in disputes under the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021, as well as in mediation, arbitration, and court proceedings.
Our legal services provide comprehensive representation and guidance to safeguard your interests, whether it's drafting or reviewing contracts, pursuing payment for your work, securing permits from councils like the City of Rockingham, or managing claims for delays or defects.
Key Factors to Consider
Experience in Project Development: Professionals with direct experience in both design environments and construction sites are best equipped to interpret construction contracts. This practical insight is invaluable when navigating the construction landscape, especially in Rockingham.
Familiarity with Local Regulations: An understanding of local compliance requirements, approval processes, and licensing standards particular to Rockingham is essential for a successful project outcome.
Comprehensive Knowledge of Construction Agreements: A thorough knowledge of various construction contracts (such as EPCM, PMC, EPC, JVs, PMCM, RCAs, and TAs) ensures your interests are protected.
Specialisation in Dispute Resolution: We have likely resolved disputes similar to those you may face. Many of our clients reach settlements before any legal action, as we prepare comprehensive claims covering cost, delay, variations, and payment issues, leading to early resolutions.
Client-Focused Service: Delivering exceptional service, prompt responsiveness, and managing costs effectively are our top priorities. We strive to build long-lasting relationships with our clients.
We conduct an in-depth analysis of contracts, site records, technical specifications, and drawings to evaluate claims. We prepare claims in plain English, supported by CPM delay analyses, cost details, and evidence files. When necessary, we determine the need for affidavits and expert reports to strengthen claims before adjudication. We guide clients through the entire legal process, aiming for swift resolutions.
We provide in-house planning and scheduling expertise, evaluating delays through time-impact analysis, concurrent delay assessment, and liability analysis. We calculate productivity rates for disruption claims and prepare acceleration claims, assessing merit, entitlement, and quantum.
Our combined legal, engineering, and planning skills enable us to create contracting strategies that let project teams focus on execution while we independently resolve claims, ensuring positive cash flow and reduced project costs.
We assist with identifying joint ventures, securing project finance, drafting contracts, ECI phases, and supporting from early desktop studies to final execution.
We offer both technical and legal advice for defects, insurance matters, policy interpretation, and claims representation to ensure effective recovery and coverage.
Why engage us?
Over 50% of our clients settle their disputes even before legal action commences. This is because we prepare fully substantiated cost and delay claims that deal with defects, variations, valuation, disruption, and payment disputes on their projects with a solid contractual/legal argument that leads to amicable commercial negotiations and early settlement.
With 30 years of experience participating in design engineering teams and on-site construction as EMs, PMs or CAs, for leading companies such as CPB, Lend Lease, AECOM, Fluor, Worley Parsons, FMG, Rio Tinto, Worsley, and BHP, we guarantee our complete understanding of the issues that arise on heavy industry construction sites and understand the perspectives of all participants and stakeholders involved in a construction dispute - we likely already dealt with a dispute involving similar circumstances to what brought you to this website.
Why Choose us?
Regulated by RICS: We do not need to engage external construction experts; we are the experts. We are the only law firm in Australia regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This prestigious accreditation demonstrates our contracts/planning/ costing knowledge and commitment to upholding the construction industry's highest professional and ethical standards.
Tailored Solutions: Whether you are a contractor, developer, supplier, or consultant, we have the technical and commercial expertise to navigate the legal challenges you may encounter. We understand that every construction project is unique and pride ourselves on delivering tailored legal solutions that meet your needs.
Proactive Approach: We strive to identify and defuse potential issues before they escalate. Our attention to detail and thorough understanding of industry regulations ensure you receive comprehensive legal guidance at every stage of your project.
Client-Centred Service: Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We prioritize open communication, responsiveness, and a collaborative approach to ensure that we fully understand your goals and concerns. Our team is dedicated to providing you with personalized attention and guidance so that you can confidently make informed decisions.
Industry Connections: Over the years, we have built strong relationships with key stakeholders in the construction industry, including contractors, developers, architects, and engineers on every discipline. Our extensive network allows us to connect you with trusted professionals who can support your success.
Why engage a Law Firm that needs to be assisted by a “team of experts” when you have access to our Construction Experts that developed 100s of projects before coming into the law.