With all of the different approaches and needs of the construction world, navigating it can range from difficult to impossible, particularly when it comes to the legal side of things. It is for this reason that construction lawyers specialise in such a way that they are able to more effectively address any issues that arise. With this in mind, the role of construction lawyers is basically to provide legal advice in relation to building and construction projects. It can be a bit more complicated than this, though, so in this article we take a closer look at the responsibilities of construction lawyers.
Construction law basics
If you’ve been looking into construction law firms, there’s a good chance you might have already run into some strife – otherwise, the following information might be of benefit if some issue crops up in a construction project, no matter how big or small it may be. This is because the responsibilities of a construction lawyer can be considered quite vast – basically, lawyers who represent the construction industry can advise different organisations at every level of the chain, whether they be property owners, construction managers, subcontractors, consultants or suppliers. Knowing how to tackle each level can be a big ask, but due to the extensive knowledge of construction lawyers in relation to construction contracts, they will be able to advise about any potential issues that can possibly arise. This might be related to things like defects or variations with the works or even simple payment issues. It is also possible for construction lawyers to specialise even further in the construction industry, with specialised lawyers being able to provide legal advice on specific kinds of projects (such as commercial or residential projects and infrastructure projects), construction contracts and also disputes related to projects.
How construction lawyers offer advice
In terms of providing advice, construction lawyers – whether they be involved in property transactions, insurance matters or industrial relations issues – can provide advice in one of two forms. The first of these is front-end advice, where a lawyer can offer advice when a new project is being organised. Much of this advice is centred around preparation, and can help provide a construction project with superior structure from the outset and can involve things like contract preparation and amendment, the preparation of tender qualifications and negotiating in relation to agreements and contracts. When it comes to back-end advice, construction lawyers here will be offering advice that directly relates to construction disputes or situations that can very easily result in a dispute. This can involve many things, but in the world of construction it will typically involve matters that relate to defects, delays and issues with payment. It’s therefore the case that lawyers specialising in these kinds of cases will be experts in relation to things like mediation, arbitration and litigation.
Which construction lawyer is right for you?
It’s a good idea to keep in mind that finding the right construction lawyer for your needs won’t necessarily be quick or easy – lawyers who specialise in construction will generally work across most areas and with most types of organisation, but if you require extensive knowledge on one facet of construction, it’s best to seek out a lawyer who specialises in one area. Otherwise, lawyers for general advice can otherwise be valuable, as knowing a little bit of everything can certainly help steer a project in the right direction.
