We help Australian Contractors get their payments hassle free.
Office Located at Level 1/11 E Parade, East Perth WA 6004
Office Located at Level 1/11 E Parade, East Perth WA 6004
Speak to an Engineer-Lawyer now
Speak to an Engineer-Lawyer now
Seasoned construction experts with a rich portfolio of project experience.
Baker Merz Construction Lawyers is both a quantity surveying and legal firm, regulated by the Law Society and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Why choose a law firm that needs external consultants when you can work with specialists who have hands-on experience managing numerous projects before moving into law?
Our team is more than just lawyers; we are experienced engineers, quantity surveyors, and contract managers who have overseen projects and dealt with real issues involving clients, consultants, subcontractors, licensing boards, councils, and others. Our principal, who holds a DJUR with MCIBSE, MRICS, C.Eng, and MAIPM qualifications, has worked with AECOM, Tenova, Fluor, and Bateman on projects across Western Australia, including in Wanneroo. This practical experience allows us to understand your needs and create effective solutions.
We also have a background in adjudication 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 offer representation and advice to protect your interests, whether it’s drafting or reviewing contracts, securing payments for your work, getting permits from local councils like the City of Wanneroo, or handling claims involving defects or delays.
Key Factors to Consider
Expertise in Project Development: Professionals with practical experience in construction sites and design environments are the best equipped to interpret construction contracts. This knowledge is crucial for effectively navigating construction projects, particularly in Wanneroo.
Knowledge of Local Regulations: Understanding local approval procedures, compliance requirements, and licensing standards unique to Wanneroo is essential for ensuring project success.
Mastery of Construction Contracts: A strong grasp of different types of construction contracts (such as EPCM, EPC, PMC, PMCM, TAs, JVs and RCAs) helps in safeguarding your interests.
Focus on Dispute Resolution: We have likely dealt with disputes similar to yours. Many of our clients resolve their disputes before they escalate to formal legal actions, thanks to our comprehensive preparation of claims that address costs, delays, variations, and payment issues, leading to early resolutions.
Client-Centric Service: Delivering outstanding service, maintaining responsiveness, and keeping legal costs under control are our priorities. We value building long-term relationships with our clients.
With our engineering expertise and on-site construction experience, we interpret contracts and offer advice on rights, responsibilities, duties, and scope for a variety of contracts, such as FIDIC, AS4000, JCT, MBA, ABIC, NEC4, AS2124, and compliance with the WA Security of Payments Act. We conduct pre-contract audits to identify and address terms that could pose risks.
We comprehensively review contracts, technical specifications, drawings, and site records to evaluate claims. Our claims are presented in plain language and supported by detailed CPM delay and cost analyses, along with evidence files. We assess the need for affidavits and expert reports before adjudication to bolster claims. We guide clients throughout the legal process to reach swift resolutions.
Our in-house scheduling and planning services include analysing delays through time-impact analysis, assessing concurrent delays, and determining liability.
Our combined legal, planning, and engineering expertise allows us to develop contracting strategies, resolve claims independently, and keep project teams focused on delivery, ensuring positive cash flow and reduced costs.
We help identify partners, draft contracts, establish joint ventures, manage ECI phases, and secure project finance, from preliminary studies to execution.
We offer comprehensive legal and technical guidance on defects, policy interpretation, insurance matters, and claims representation, guaranteeing 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.
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