Most recent meetings

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November 2024

Adjudication Panel Discussion - What does a ‘good’ adjudication look like?

with adjudication experts

Mary Haggie, Graeme Christie, Tom Horder and Shanti Frater

The panel discussed “hot button” topics in the adjudication process which created interesting and informatiave discussion.

Download the Flyer

Livestream recording (courtesy of Simpson Grierson) and CPD attendance in members only area

24 October 2024

Meeting with the Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Chris Penk

The Grand Hall, Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington

Minister Penk discussed how the Government is taking steps to improve the construction sector through legislative and regulatory changes. Also how these amendments will balance the need for improved efficiency and competition.

Download the Flyer

Livestream recording (courtesy of Parliamentary Services) and CPD attendance in members only area

Construction Law Essay Prize Competition 2025

Entry for the 2025 Construction Law essay prize is now closed

First Prize: $4,000.00

Second Prize: $2,000.00

Recommendation for publication catgeory

 

Entry was available to persons who have an interest in construction law and who, as at 31 October 2024, were New Zealand residents and:

  • will be undergraduate students at a tertiary institution in New Zealand,
  • or
  • will have graduated from any tertiary institution with their first degree or diploma within the previous five years.
Essays may be on any topic related to construction law, with the topic being subject to prior approval by the Council of the Society Conditions of entry and all competition information.

Important Dates

 

11 November 2024 - entry now closed

25 November 2024 - approval of topics and eligibility

31 March 2025 - Essays to be received
26/27 June 2025 - Prize Winners announced (at AGM or Conference Dinner)

 

Conditions of entry and all competition information including essay entry form


Essay prize winners are invited to present their essays in August, a highlight on the SCL calendar.
 

2024 essay prize winners Sean Gourley and Daniel Maier-Gant's essays, together with previous years' winners essays published to the members only area.

ABOUT THE NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY OF CONSTRUCTION LAW

The New Zealand Society of Construction Law was formed in 2005 to promote research and education in the field of construction law and a means by which people from throughout the industry could come together to discuss issues relating to construction law.

The Society reached the milestone of having 1000 members in November 2023 heralding from all sectors of the construction industry, including:
 
  • lawyers
  • architects
  • engineers
  • quantity surveyors
  • contractors
  • project managers
  • insurers
  • academics

BRANCH MEETINGS

The Society meets regularly for presentations by speakers, and these meetings also provide an opportunity for informal networking. Meetings are usually held monthly in:
 
  • Auckland
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
with one of the sessions being livestreamed.  We usually host 'in-person hubs' in Hamilton, Dunedin and Queenstown for members to have the opportunity to network. We endeavour to a host an in-person meeting in Hamilton and Dunedin during the year if possible.

There is no cost to members to attend these meetings. 

Copies of presentations, papers and the recorded sessions presented at these meetings are available to members in the 'Members Only' section of the website.

Upcoming SCL(NZ) meetings

2025 SCL(NZ) Conference

2025 SCL Conference and 20th Anniversary

Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre


Thursday, 26th June 2025

site tours, conference plenary, 20th Anniversary dinner

Friday, 27th June 2025

AGM and Conference plenary

The conference theme and call for abstracts will be announced shortly

please save the date!

Now in Members Only Area

November

including end of year function 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Panel Discussion: What does a 'good' adjudication look like?
with

Mary Haggie (adjudicator role);
Graeme Christie (lawyer role); 
Tom Horder (CPB Contractors, client role);
Shanti Frater panel facilitator

Flyer introducing our Panellists and their discussion

Livestream recording (courtesy of Simpson Grierson) and CPD attendance in members only area

 

24 October 2024

Meeting with the Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Chris Penk

The Grand Hall, Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington

Minister Penk discussed how the Government is taking steps to improve the construction sector through legislative and regulatory changes. Also how these amendments will balance the need for improved efficiency and competition.

Download the Flyer

Livestream recording (courtesy of Parliamentary Services) and CPD attendance in members only area

 

September

Is concurrent delay a chimera?

An important discussion with

Michaela Cook

Michaela covered several essential practical topics in her presentation.

Download flyer introducing Michaela and her presentation

Livestream recording (courtesy of Hesketh Henry), link to download the CIOB Planning Protocol 2021 and CPD attendance in members only area

 

 

18 September 2024

Construction Law caselaw update with

Madison Dobie,
Matthew Ferrier together with Charlene Fairnie, and
Rebecca Saunders

Download Flyer introducing our speakers and the caselaw they will be discussing

Livestream recording (courtesy of MinterEllisonRuddWatts) in members only area

 

August 2024

Presentation by our 2024 Essay Prize Winners

First Place:  Sean Gourley

How “design, bid, build” procurement undermines the use of digital replicas

Second Place: Daniel Maier-Gant

Sharpening the Time Bar: Aligning time bar consequences for better enforcement

Livestream recording (courtesy of Dentons), Sean and Daniel's essays and presentations, CPD attendance in members only area

 

24 July 2024

The Society of Construction Law Annual General Meeting followed by the SCL Annual Dinner with interlude by Dave Barr Classic Comedy Bar

This was a very enjoyable evening, thank you members and guests who attended.

The Fable Hotel, 58-60 Queen Street, Auckland CBD 1010

AGM papers including President and Treasurer's report in Members Only Area

 

20 June 2024

Funding and Financing of Infrastructure Projects in NZ Panel Discussion

Panellists

Laura Harris, Partner, Mafic Partners
Kathryn Mitchell, General Counsel, Crown Infrastructure Partners
Hugh Kettle, Commercial Barrister, project finance
Andrew Kittle, Head of Project and Infrastructure Finance, Westpac

Flyer introducing our panellists and more detail about their discussion

Livestream recording (courtesy of Chapman Tripp) and CPD attendance in members only area

 

 

May 2024

Design error, design change, design development - a foray into tender risk allocation, nature of loss and the counterfactual world

Helen Macfarlane, Christina Bryant and Kelly Quinn

Flyer introducing our speakers and their discussion in more detail

Livestream recording (courtesy Hesketh Henry) and presentation, CPD attendance sheets now in members only area

 

10 April 2024

Construction Law Caselaw webinar

Polly Pope, Simon Zhao, Daniel Maier-Gant and Charlene Fairnie

discussed construction law caselaw which covered various aspects of construction law

Flyer introducing our speakers and their caselaw

Livestream recording (courtesy Chapman Tripp) and presentations, CPD attendance sheet now in members only area

 

March 2024

Temporary disconformity unpacked – when is a defect not a defect?

Matt Maling and Hayden Struthers

Flyer introducing our speakers and their topic

Livestream recording (courtesy Lane Neave) and presentation, CPD attendance sheets now in members only area

 

February 2024

NZS3910:2023 panel discussion on its implementation

a summary of the key changes, and how it may change construction contracting practices in NZ

Lauren Whitehead, Dr Naseem Ameer Ali, Paul O'Brien & John Hemi 

Flyer introducing our panellists and discussion Wgtn Flyer

Livestream recording (courtesy Dentons), presentation and CPD record sheets now in members only area

 

2023 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations

2022 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations

2021 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations

2020 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations

2019 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations

 

Congratulations 2024 Essay Prize Winners

 

First Place:  Sean Gourley

How “design, bid, build” procurement undermines the use of digital replicas

Judges’ citation: The judges commend the winning essay as a well-researched and structured exploration of an interesting and current topic.

 

Second Place: Daniel Maier-Gant

Sharpening the Time Bar: Aligning time bar consequences for better enforcement

Judges’ citation: The judges praise the second place winner for their innovation. The author identifies a driver of disputes and uncertainty in the sector and proposes a drafting solution.

Our prizewinning essays are published in our Members Only Area

2024 SCL Essay prize winners


(photo: left to right) Sean Gourley (first prize) and Daniel Maier-Gant (second prize) congratulated by Arie Moore, SCL President

New Members Welcome

The Society welcomes new members

Visit our Become a Member page for membership benefits, application form and subscription information

 

 

New SCL(Intl) papers are continually added to the SCL International website

SLC(NZ) members can access these papers on the SCL(Intl) website

 

Need help accessing the members area of SLC(Intl)? 

Contact SCL(NZ) Manager Melanie Whittaker

 

WORLDWIDE CONNECTIONS

The New Zealand Society maintains ties with its sister societies in other parts of the world so that members are kept up-to-date about news and upcoming events in the construction industry in those jurisdictions.

New Zealand members have access to papers published on the SCL(International) website.

2019 SCL Fundamentals of Construction Law – the project lifecycle Conference

2019 conference delegates

2017 SCL Wellington Transmission Gully site tour

Transmission Gully site visit 

2015 Christchurch Key Projects in the Christchurch City Rebuild tour

Christchurch Town Hall site visit 

 

2019 conference delegates

2017 SCL Wellington Transmission Gully site tour

Transmission Gully site visit 

SCL 2015 Christchurch city tour participants

The Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct site visit

SCL(NZ) HOSTS A BIENNIAL CONFERENCE

 

2021: SCL(NZ) was proud to host the 9th International Society of Construction Law 'Building for Change' Conference

4-5 November 2021

Virtual (due to Covid-19 restrictions international and domestic NZ travel was prohibited), Auckland, New Zealand

9th International Conference Papers and recording

 

2019: Fundamentals of Construction Law – the project lifecycle - Auckland conference papers

23 July 2019 (preceded by SCL AGM)

Level 5 Lounge, North Stand, Eden Park, Auckland.

This conference covered themed project lifecycle stages of a construction project, from procurement, insurance, performance, to termination and resolving disputes.

2017: Identifying and Managing Obligations, Wellington - Wellington conference papers

15 June 2017: Site Tour - Transmission Gully

16 June 2017:  Conference at Te Papa, Wellington (keynote Richard Wilmot-Smith QC of 39 Essex Chambers, London)

2015 : Best Practice Procurement and Contracting in NZ Construction & Infrastructure - Christchurch conference papers

13 August 2015 : City Tour- Key Projects in the Christchurch City Rebuild (photos above)

14 August 2015 : Conference at The Chateau on the Park (photos below)

2014 : When the Contract Gets Dirty – applying the contract to on-site reality - Auckland conference papers

2012 : Construction Law Core Skills Seminar, Fundamental Topics in Construction Law presented by Leading Industry Practitioners - Auckland conference papers

 

2019 SCL Fundamentals of Construction Law – the project lifecycle Conference - Auckland

2017 Identifying and Managing Obligations - Wellington

2015 Best Practice Procurement and Contracting in NZ Construction & Infrastructure Conference - Christchurch