Construction | Govett Quilliam

We are experienced in all aspects of the construction process - consents and planning, preparation and negotiation of contracts, procurement, contract management and dispute resolution.

Whatever your building project, whether you are project managing a large scale commercial development or building your family home, it always pays to get sound advice to ensure that you've got the confidence to deal with any issues that might arise during the build quickly and effectively.

Our specialists collaborate extensively with our clients to support and assist construction projects from conception to completion. We understand the construction industry and the pressures our clients are under to manage and deliver projects on time, on-budget and safely.

We assist our clients with applying for building consents and we provide advice on the issues involved in considering and granting building consent applications, including statutory interpretation, compliance issues, notices to fix and changes of use. We have also been involved in a number of enforcement proceedings under the Building Act 2004, representing both local authorities and defendants.

Our team has an in-depth knowledge of the most widely used construction contracts in New Zealand, including standard industry documentation such as construction contracts NZS3910, NZS3915, NZS3916 and NZS3917. We assist our clients to understand their rights and obligations under building and construction contracts, to find the most appropriate contract for their particular project and to draft and negotiate bespoke conditions to ensure the best possible commercial and legal outcomes.

When it comes to resolving construction disputes, our specialists have experience in all forms of dispute resolution, including expert reviews, mediations, adjudications, arbitrations and litigation. We work with our clients to understand their drivers and enjoy finding pathways to resolve disputes as quickly as possible so as to expedite project delivery.

Construction Disputes

We act for builders, developers, construction companies and property owners. We represent our clients in all forms of dispute resolution including:

Weathertight Homes claims
Mediations and negotiations
Adjudications
Arbitrations
Civil procedures in the District Court and High Court, including summary judgment proceedings and injunctions.

Our experience includes claims involving:

Payment claims and payment schedules under the Construction Contracts Act 2002
Outstanding invoices and debt recovery, including charging orders
Implied warranties and negligence
Defective works

Lauren responded promptly to our request and provided strong support throughout the process we engaged her for. Beyond factual and legal advice, she also offered valuable strategic advice. We felt she always had our best interests in mind, and the result was a positive outcome to the situation we found ourselves in.

Michael Braggins - Managing Director, Clelands Construction

I have used Lauren Wallace and Rebecca Eaton of Govett Quilliam on two occasions to assist with court proceedings relating to weathertightness disputes. Their knowledge of the Building Act, professionalism and negotiating skills were outstanding and I would have no hesitation in using them again if the need arises.

Johnny Aitken

Construction Specialists

Lauren Wallace

Partner

Lauren Wallace

Partner

Lauren joined Govett Quilliam in 2006 and became a partner in 2010. Lauren leads our Environment and Planning Team. She has previously worked as a barrister in a specialist environmental law chambers in Auckland and also for a leading local government firm in Nelson.

Expertise

Lauren is a highly respected lawyer, specialising in environmental and local government law, construction law and civil litigation.

Lauren has been involved in a variety of environmental and local government matters throughout her career. She has a broad client base and acts for local and regional authorities, individuals and families, national corporations, local businesses, iwi and PSGE, and community organisations. Her key areas of practice include:

assisting to draft and provide advice on district and regional plan provisions;
project management of resource consent projects, including; with respect to large residential and coastal subdivisions; commercial developments and industrial facilities;
minerals and petroleum development, including assisting to obtain consents for offshore installations in the coastal marine area and EEZ and with respect to access arrangements and iwi consultation;
acting for affected parties in opposition to consent applications;
advising on all aspects of the Resource Management Act and Local Government Acts;
assisting iwi to development environmental plans, strategies and guidelines;
assisting developer clients to formulate and implement consultation strategies;
appearances and advice with respect to Council Hearings, Environment Court, High Court and Board of Inquiry processes;
prosecution and enforcement; and
assisting to draft and providing advice on local government policies and bylaws, including; Local Alcohol Policies, Gambling Policies and Development Contribution Policies

Lauren also regularly acts for our construction clients and has considerable experience in building law and with respect to construction contract disputes and weathertight homes claims.

Lauren’s civil litigation experience includes appearances in the District Court and High Court involving a range of contractual disputes, lease and property disputes, debt recovery, and judicial review proceedings. She is a skilled negotiator and enjoys helping clients to find the best solutions possible to resolve disputes quickly and cost effectively.

Outside of Govett Quilliam

Lauren is the founding member of the Taranaki branch of the Resource Management Law Association (and past president and secretary) and the honorary solicitor of the Friends of the Govett Brewster/Len Lye Centre and of Heritage Taranaki Incorporated. She is also a trustee on the Moturoa School Board of Trustees.

Lauren enjoys mountain biking, skiing and travel but generally spends most of her spare time as Mum to her young sons. She is a keen supporter of the arts and New Zealand music and a self-confessed "foodie".