The Society is very pleased to announce an upcoming opportunity for a NZ team to participate in the prestigious Australian Charrett moot in 2026. The Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA) has generously offered the opportunity for a bit of trans-Tasman rivalry which we are sure will be of interest to younger members. Details to come, but what we will be looking for is a team of four kiwis to enter as a team to take on the best of Australia. The competition is not restricted to lawyers, and anyone interested is encouraged to register a team of 3 to 4 members. All team members must have no more than 4 years of post-qualification experience, so includes students. Teams do not have to be from the same firm. The preliminary rounds are conducted via Teams, which is why having a Kiwi based team is feasible. The teams that make it through to the finals compete at the SoCLA 2026 Annual Conference. The process for the annual competition is as follows: 1. After the grand final at the national conference, the subcommittee is given a few months of well-deserved rest 2. Later in the year, we start preparing for the next iteration 3. That involves preparing an Expressions of Interest document that is circulated via the SOCLA email list and online, and other media outlets (eg, Linked In). Ideally, this happens in around November, allowing ample time to register interest 4. The teams confirmation date is usually early in the new year, around February 5. In the meantime, we prepare the moot problem, "judge pack" and liaise with volunteer judges (usually junior barristers for the preliminary rounds) 6. Once teams are confirmed early in the new year, the moot subcommittee liaises directly with teams, judges and venues (usually local law firms) and manages the competition For more information, see: Charrett Moot | Society of Construction Law Australia And Document (This is an example from 2025 provided for information purposes only- please do not directly contact the 2025 convenors) Here is the 2025 Problem used for the final so you can see what you are in for.
Expressions of interest to Melanie Whittaker and Jonathan Forsey please. We will be providing further information as it comes to hand.
Polly and Nadia discussed what construction sector participants and their lawyers should know about what happens when a construction adjudication requires payment.
Powerpoint and recording (courtesy of Wynn Williams) and CPD record sheets in Members Only Area
Robert's presentation focused on the cost assessment of delayed time-related on-site overheads / preliminaries and included a deeper dive into various related factors
Powerpoint, recording (courtesy of Simpson Grierson) and CPD record sheets in Members Only Area
Conference Programme Sincere thanks to our sponsors, speakers and delegates for an amazing couple of days conference.
A sincere thank you to our speakers for sharing their expertise and time so willingly.
Speakers' presentations published to our members only area
Photo: Arie Moore, Immediate Past President and Conferene Chair opens the 2025 SCL Conference New Directions: Navigating the Changing Construction Landscape.
Sincere appreciation to our sponsors for their support
Preconditions to Arbitration: Supporting Best-For-Project Dispute Resolution
Judges’ citation: Pre-conditions to arbitration under NZS 3910:2013 were recently considered by the High Court and now with the changes within NZS 3910:2023, we have a new regime. This paper is well researched and considered, with the author proposing a hybrid approach, with a new clause, for clause 13.3.1 of the new NZS 3910. The content of the paper is relevant not only to the parties to the contract, but also to Contract Administrators and Independent Certifiers.
(photo: left to right) Oscar Read (first prize) congratulated by Jonathan Aquilina, Essay Committee Member (absent Erica Dysart)
Judge, Jury, and Executioner – Extending Self-Certification Abilities to Trusted Building Practitioners
Judges’ citation: This is a live issue with the recent announcement by the Hon. Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction. Those members with sufficient “grey hair” will be nervously watching how these initiatives will be implemented. Accordingly, this paper is timely. It is well researched, informative and thought provoking, having considered not only New Zealand, but also the landscape in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Our prizewinning essays will be published in our Members Only Area shortly
Christchurch 19 August Wellington 20 August Auckland 21 August
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. SCL is an interest group not a professional institute. Professional qualifications are not required nor sighted for membership.
Register for Auckland: Tuesday 9 September 5:30pm for 6:00 to 7:00pm, The Northern Club
Register for Wellington: Tuesday 16 September 5:30pm for 6:00 to 7:00pm, Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, Faculty of Law, Rutherford House Lecture Theatre2 and the Mezzanine foyer
Lord Justice Coulson will be discussing, amongst other things, adjudication and the Technology and Construction Court (TCC). Further discussion will include, Lord Coulson’s perception of the changing nature of claims / disputes and how that is dealt with.
Download Flyer introducing Lord Justice Coulson
Flyer introducing our speakers and their discussion.| Presentation and recording (courtesy of Duncan Cotterill) in Members Only Area
Flyer| Presentation and recording (courtesy of Wynn Williams) in Members Only Area
Brisbane, Australia Auckland with livestream (courtesy of Simpson Grierson) and hubs in Wellington and Christchurch
Flyer | Powerpoint and recording in Members Only Area
discuss The Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill.
Flyer | Powerpoint in Members Only Area
The serious consequences of a construction contract having prohibited retention money clauses. Stevensons Structural Engineers 1978 Limited (In liq) v McMillan & Lockwood (PN) Limited
How long is your Longstop? Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner Limited v Wellington City Council
Problem Producer Statements potential penalty path Solicitor-General's Reference (No 1 of 2022)
Flyer introducing our presenters and the construction law caselaw
Webinar recording (courtesy Duncan Cotterill), presentations and CPD attendance in members only
State Highway 25A Taparahi rebuild project after the road collapsed during the North Island’s major storm event in January 2023
Flyer introducing our discussion and panellists
Livestream recording (courtesy Hesketh Henry) and CPD attendance in members only
Livestream recording (courtesy of Chapman Tripp) and CPD attendance in members only area
2024 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations
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
Visit our Become a Member page for membership benefits, application form and subscription information
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
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 conference delegates
Transmission Gully site visit
Christchurch Town Hall site visit
The Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct site visit
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