A new chapter of leadership for our Property, Energy and Infrastructure team

Wotton Kearney is pleased to share some important news about the leadership of our Property, Energy and Infrastructure team, effective 1 July 2025.  After eight years of leading the team, Adam Chylek will be stepping into a new strategic role within the firm. Under Adam’s guidance, the team has grown significantly, expanded into emerging markets, […]

Future Proof ‘25: Insurance and risk insights across Asia-Pacific

The future of insurance and risk in Asia-Pacific is here, and rapidly evolving. Are you ready? In a world marked by rapid technological advancement, innovation, evolving regulatory demands and increasing complexity across multiple risk sectors, Future Proof ’25 examines the diverse forces reshaping insurance and business landscapes. This report highlights emerging trends and critical challenges […]

Court of Appeal gives Victoria the “green light” for subrogated cladding recovery actions

By: Sarah Metcalfe State of Victoria (Department of Transport and Planning) v L.U. Simon Builders Pty Ltd & Ors At a glance In the subrogated recovery action brought by the State of Victoria against LU Simon and its directors in the County Court of Victoria (CI-23-03724) LU Simon argued that the State could not be […]

Get to know Wes Rose, Wotton Kearney’s Head of Construction

Wes Rose is a partner in the Property, Energy & Infrastructure team and was recently appointed to lead Wotton Kearney’s construction practice. His expertise spans the construction and infrastructure, property, energy, transport, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors. Tell us about your journey to becoming a partner at Wotton Kearney. I joined Wotton Kearney almost exactly 4 […]

Proposed changes to Victoria’s building regulatory system are likely to increase consumer protections – but what will it mean for builders, relevant building surveyors and design professionals?

By: Sarah Metcalfe, Andrew Brennan and Nick Lux At a glance The release of the Victorian Building Authority’s (VBA) independently commissioned report ‘Victorian Building Authority – The Case for Transformation’1 in October 2024 (VBA Report) provided the background to important reforms to the Victorian building regulatory regime recently announced by the Victorian Minister for Planning2 […]

Wotton Kearney expands its property, construction, and employment practices in Christchurch with new appointments

Wotton Kearney is pleased to announce the appointments of Sam Hider, senior associate, and Ramses Hunt, associate, both based in our Christchurch | Ōtautahi office. This exciting development will help to strengthen our property, construction, and employment practices and to better service the growing needs of our clients in the South Island.  Sam Hider, Senior […]

Limitation period for statutory building warranty claims

By: Bill Conor and Julian Amato At a glance The court reaffirmed that claims for building defects made pursuant to the statutory warranties under section 32 of the Building Work Contractors Act 1995 (SA) must be filed within a strict 5-year period from practical completion, emphasising the Act’s balance between builder and homeowner interests. The 10-year […]

Victorian government announces replacement of the Victorian Building Authority

By: Andrew Brennan, Sarah Metcalfe, Nick Lux and Jordan Bova At a glance The Victorian government will abolish and replace the Victorian Building Authority following an independent review that found significant management and cultural failures. A new regulator, the Building & Plumbing Commission, will be created by merging the Victorian Building Authority with other agencies, […]

A closer look at Cladding Safety Victoria’s ‘Compliance in building design’ report

By: Sarah Metcalfe, Andrew Brennan and Nick Lux At a glance Cladding Safety Victoria (CSV) has released a report investigating who is responsible for the use of non-compliant combustible cladding in Victoria. CSV reviewed original plans and permits for 1,000 privately owned apartment buildings and concluded that responsibility for the ‘widespread misapplication of Victoria’s regulatory […]

Requirements for late knowledge in claims of limitation: lessons from the Court of Appeal

By: Richard Flinn and Laura Glasson Rea v Auckland Council [2024] NZCA 313 In the recent decision of Rea v Auckland Council [2024] NZCA 313, the Court of Appeal provides a useful analysis of the elements required to assess when time starts to run for the purpose of assessing limitation, and in particular, for the […]