The construction industry can be complex and difficult to navigate due to the number of professionals involved in a construction project as well as the various health and safety considerations that need to be undertaken. Construction lawyers can help shoulder some of the burden that naturally arises in construction projects by streamlining certain legal processes as well as helping builders and project managers deal with any legal issues that may arise during the construction process. This article will take an in-depth look at the role of a construction lawyer.
What is a Construction Lawyer?
Construction lawyers are qualified legal practitioners that have specific expertise in construction law. This means that a construction lawyer is not only well versed in all aspects of construction law, but also has a grasp of general legal vernacular and comes from a legal education background. Many lawyers that end up in construction law have already practiced in other areas such as criminal law or have previously worked as conveyancers.
What is Construction Law?
Construction law is a branch of law that focuses on issues pertaining to contractual, regulatory and safety issues related to construction and development of infrastructure. Construction lawyers are highly skilled and knowledgeable in all aspects of the construction law process. A construction lawyer will also often have a secondary skill set in an adjacent construction legal area such as contract, commercial or property law. Given the number of construction projects forecasted in the next 5 years in Australia alone, the demand for construction lawyers is likely to remain high.
What Does a Construction Lawyer Do?
Construction lawyers undertake a wide variety of responsibilities and complete many different tasks for their clients. A construction lawyer is usually enlisted before a construction project even starts, drafting preliminary contracts as well as overseeing the timely lodging and execution of critical paperwork to get the project underway. Depending on which aspects of construction law the construction lawyer has expertise in, they may handle more complex or routine legal tasks. Generally, a construction lawyer will draft, review and negotiate different contracts between parties, represent their clients at meetings with builders, contractors and architects, and guide clients through dispute resolution for any issues that arise during the course of the project.
How Much Do Construction Lawyers Charge?
Fees for construction lawyers can vary depending on the type of construction dispute and the type of assistance you need. Costs can also depend on the tasks the construction lawyer needs to carry out, such as reviewing contracts or negotiating with different parties.
During the quoting phase, it’s important for prospective clients to outline exactly which tasks and the extent of those tasks that they need their construction lawyer to complete. Doing so will ensure a more accurate quote, meaning the client can make a more informed decision of which construction lawyer they choose to go with.
When Do You Need a Construction Lawyer?
Ideally, you should enlist the services of construction lawyers before the construction project has started. Doing so will give your lawyer ample time to prepare and execute any critical paperwork that may need to be lodged so that construction and development can go ahead smoothly. Generally, it’s recommended to have a lawyer on hand to assist you in dealing with legal issues before they arise.