Richard is known for his judgement and ability to work to identify simple solutions in complicated contracting arrangements particularly on major projects dispute resolution, arbitration and expert determination.

Biography

Richard acts for project owners, head contractors, specialist subcontractors, professional services groups, universities and schools. His client base includes listed heavy engineering contractors, mining companies, civil and road contractors, and universities. He is based in Perth and advises on major projects across Western Australia, nationally and internationally.

Richard provides end-to-end strategic advice across the full project lifecycle, from project planning and contract selection through to tender negotiations and final project implementation. He advises on all forms of industry-standard and bespoke contracts, including turnkey and EPC delivery, alliance and relationship contracts, early contractor involvement models, and design and construct. Where claims and disputes arise, he advises on claims strategy and manages arbitration, court litigation, expert determination and mediation across domestic and international forums.

Richard’s matters span major infrastructure, resources and commercial construction programs. His experience includes Supreme Court proceedings and settlement of major claims for a listed heavy engineering contractor on a landmark stadium project, cross-jurisdictional arbitrations and mediations for an ASX-listed construction group on a solar farm project, international arbitration for a mining contractor, and establishing capital project contract frameworks for a major Western Australian university. His dispute work extends to arbitrations in New Zealand and across Australian jurisdictions.

Richard’s end-to-end expertise across contracting and dispute resolution gives him an in-depth understanding of how project risk at the contract stage translates into claims exposure. This integrated perspective allows him to structure contracts with disputes in mind and to approach disputes with a clear grasp of contractual intent.

Credentials

Academic qualifications:

Memberships:

Richard's experience

Civmec Construction and Engineering — Optus Stadium

Acting for Civmec Construction and Engineering, a listed major heavy engineering contractor, in Supreme Court claims relating to fabrication and construction of the major steel and precast contract structures of Optus Stadium, and in obtaining resolution of claims for shiploader infrastructure for the Amrun project in Queensland.

Decmil Group — Sunraysia solar farm and New Zealand prisons

Acting for ASX-listed Decmil Group in obtaining resolution of claims arising on the Sunraysia Solar Farm infrastructure in NSW by arbitrations in NSW and WA, and acting for Decmil-related companies in resolving claims relating to modular prison projects across New Zealand by arbitration and mediation settlement.

Curtin University

Working with Curtin University to establish standard contracts and project procedures for major capital project delivery, and advising on the delivery of recent projects including the School of Design and the Built Environment and the BL Robertson Library Redevelopment.

BGC Construction

Acting for BGC Construction on claims in arbitration relating to a large mixed-use project, and in claims relating to a shopping centre expansion resolved by expert determination.

Awards, recognition and ranking