Dispute Resolution Services

In the construction industry, dispute resolution services play a crucial role in managing conflicts that arise between parties involved in projects. These disputes can range from disagreements over contract terms and payments to issues related to project delays, quality of work, or changes in scope. To address these challenges, various methods of dispute resolution are employed, each with its own advantages and suitability depending on the nature of the dispute and the preferences of the parties involved.

HJA has an established and experienced claims management practice. Our construction claims consultants have dealt with many types of construction and engineering projects. These include some of the most high-profile and complex projects across Australia. For over two and a half decades, HJA has acted for clients in more than 500 disputes worth in excess of AUD$5 billion. Our Team have also assisted in the preparation, defence and determination of over 250 adjudications in both Australia and the UK.

Notably, HJA was foundational in setting up the QLD dispute resolution service for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) when the BCIPA (Building and Construction Industry Payments Act) legislation was first introduced into QLD in 2004. Following this, HJA was named as the Authorised Nominating Authority for all dispute resolution services offered by the RICS.

Our expert dispute resolution team will assess your matter and determine the most appropriate dispute resolution route, whether that be:

  • Mediation;

    • Non-binding, collaborative approach – valued due to its confidentiality, informality and high potential for preserving business relationships

  • Arbitration; or

    • Private and efficient alternative to litigation, where a neutral arbitrator makes a binding decision – ideal for genuine disputes that need fast resolution compared to traditional court proceedings

  • Adjudication

    • Involves a third party adjudicator with expertise in construction delivering a swift, temporarily binding decision that can be subject to further review or arbitration if necessary – suitable for resolving urgent matters (typically where contracts contain provisions for interim dispute resolution) while keeping construction projects on track

  • Dispute Advice

    Our construction claims consultants investigate and analyse the cause and effect of the events that have arisen, prepare submissions, and present your case. Their skills and experience are invaluable when analysing contractual liability and causation and quantifying the effects in pursuing or defending claims. This thorough evaluation leads to the best solution for our clients, who may be claimants, defendants, owners, governments, contractors or subcontractors, law firms, architectural practices and engineering consultants.

    HJA’s experts can assist with all types of construction disputes, including: claims drafting and defence; claims negotiation; claims management and resolution; assessing contract risk; delay and quantum analysis; extension of time.

  • Expert Witness Services

    Expert witnesses play a critical role in construction dispute resolution, providing technical expertise and analysis to support the arguments of parties involved. These witnesses, typically industry professionals with specialised knowledge in areas such as engineering, architecture, or construction management, help clarify complex issues and provide impartial assessments of construction defects, delays, or other disputes. Their testimony can be instrumental in arbitration, litigation, or other forms of dispute resolution, aiding in the fair and accurate resolution of construction-related conflicts.

    HJA has provided expert testimony and support in multiple legal matters. This involves and extends to record keeping, development of submission documents, as well as reviewing and evaluating any entitlement basis.

Dispute Resolution Specialists

  • Colin Bond

    Mediator, Adjudicator, Expert Determination, Quantum Expert

  • Michael Newman

    Subject Matter Expert, Strategic Dispute Resolution Advisor

  • Julian Hemms

    Expert Determination, Adjudication, Delay and Quantum Claims Expert

  • Stewart Campbell

    Subject Matter Expert, Delay and Quantum Claims Expert

  • John Knowles

    Adjudicator, Expert Determination, Quantum Expert

  • Toby Beard

    Subject Matter Expert and Quantum Claims Expert

  • Mark Taylor

    Subject Matter Expert and Expert Determination

  • Vicki Bond

    Expert Support

Dispute Resolution Services Brochure

For a detailed overview of our dispute resolution services all in the one place, including information regarding scope of services, previous experience, as well as additional details relating to the expertise of our specialists, please refer to the attached brochure.