Speak to an Engineer-Lawyer now
Experienced construction professionals with hands-on project expertise.
Baker Merz Construction Lawyers is both a quantity surveying and law practice, regulated by the Law Society and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Why choose a law firm that needs external experts when you can work with construction specialists who have managed hundreds of projects before practising law?
Our team isn't just lawyers; we are experienced engineers, quantity surveyors, and contract managers who have managed projects and dealt with real issues involving clients, consultants, subcontractors, councils, and licensing boards. Our principal, a DJUR with MCIBSE, C.Eng, MRICS, and MAIPM registrations, has worked for AECOM, Fluor, Tenova, and Bateman on projects throughout Western Australia. This hands-on experience allows us to understand your concerns and develop effective strategies.
We also have experience as adjudicators and regularly represent clients in disputes under the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021, as well as in mediation, arbitration, and court proceedings.
We provide advice and representation to defend your interests, whether it's drafting or reviewing contracts, pursuing payment for your work, securing permits with local councils like Stirling City Council, or managing claims regarding defects or delays.
Key Factors to Consider
In-Depth Knowledge in Project Development: Experts with hands-on experience in design environments and construction sites are best suited to interpret construction contracts. This practical knowledge is invaluable for navigating the construction landscape, particularly in Stirling.
Understanding of Local Regulations: Familiarity with local approval processes, compliance requirements, and licensing standards specific to Stirling is crucial for successful project outcomes.
Expertise with Construction Contracts: A deep understanding of various construction contracts (such as EPC, EPCM, PMC, PMCM, JVs, TAs, RCAs) ensures your interests are protected.
Specialisation in Resolving Disputes: We've likely resolved disputes similar to yours. Around half of our clients settle disputes before legal action begins because we prepare comprehensive claims addressing cost, delay, variations, and payment issues, leading to early settlements.
Client Service Approach: Exceptional service, responsiveness, and controlling legal costs are our top priorities. We value long-term relationships with our clients.
Our engineering and on-site construction expertise allows us to interpret contracts and provide recommendations on rights, liabilities, duties, and scope under various contracts, including AS4000, AS2124, ABIC, MBA, FIDIC, JCT, NEC4, and WA Security of Payments Act compliance. We conduct pre-contract audits to identify and amend terms to minimise risks.
We thoroughly analyse contracts, drawings, technical specifications, and site records to evaluate claims. Our claims use plain English, detailed cost and CPM delay analyses, and evidence files. We determine the need for affidavits and expert reports before adjudication to strengthen claims. We guide clients through the legal process and work towards swift resolutions.
We provide internal planning and scheduling services, analysing delays through time-impact analysis, concurrent delays, and liability. We calculate productivity rates for disruption claims and prepare acceleration claims, assessing merit, quantum, and entitlement.
We combine legal, engineering, and planning expertise to devise contracting strategies, resolving claims independently to let project teams focus on delivery, ensuring positive cashflow and reduced project costs.
We assist in finding partners, joint ventures, ECI phases, contract drafting, and project finance, from early desktop studies to execution.
We provide technical and legal advice on defects, insurance, policy interpretation, and representation in claims, ensuring effective coverage and recovery.
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.