Phillip acts for contractors subcontractors and project owners on major construction, energy and infrastructure projects across Australia and internationally, with over 20 years of experience in private practice and in-house roles.

Biography

Phillip acts for major construction contractors, subcontractors, energy companies, defence clients and project owners, including some of Australia’s largest infrastructure participants. He advises domestic and international clients throughout Australia, with particular experience acting for contractors on infrastructure (rail, road and ports), building and energy projects.

Phillip advises on the complete lifecycle of construction and infrastructure projects. He drafts and negotiates front-end construction contracts, advises on procurement strategy and project delivery risk, and manages contract administration during delivery. He acts in complex disputes through litigation, arbitration, expert determination and adjudication. His energy and defence work includes tendering for critical infrastructure projects and advising on EPC and downstream contract structures.

Phillip’s matters include some of Australia’s largest and most technically complex infrastructure disputes. He has acted in multi-jurisdictional proceedings spanning the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Western Australia, the Federal Court of Victoria, and international arbitration. His project experience includes major rail, road, renewables (wind, solar and batteries), waste-to-energy and defence projects. Prior to private practice, he held a senior in-house role at Lendlease Engineering, which, at the time, was one of Australia’s largest construction contractors.

Phillip brings dual perspective from over 20 years of experience in top-tier private practice in Australia and the UK, and as in-house senior legal counsel at Lendlease Engineering. He is admitted as a solicitor of the High Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of NSW, and in England and Wales.

Credentials

Academic qualifications:

Memberships:

Phillip's experience

East Rockingham Waste-to-Energy project 

Acted for the receivers and managers of East Rockingham RRF Project Co in three separate proceedings, including two in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and one in the Federal Court of Victoria, arising from the A$377 million waste-to-energy facility. The matter involved urgent relief, complex patent issues under the Patents Act 1990 (Cth), extensive discovery and cross-jurisdictional enforcement strategy.

Hansen Yuncken and Defence Wideband Satellite project

Successfully acted for Hansen Yuncken in arbitration and subsequent court proceedings with Viasat on the Defence Wideband Satellite project.

Acciona Infrastructure Australia

Successfully acted for Acciona Infrastructure Australia in Supreme Court of NSW proceedings to set aside an Adjudication Determination under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW).

Payce Communities

Successfully acted for Payce Communities in Supreme Court of NSW proceedings regarding unpaid variations and extension of time claims, and two further proceedings challenging adjudication determinations under Security of Payment.

Awards, recognition and ranking