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Queensland's 2025 Construction Law Overhaul: A Legal Guide to the BIF Act, Housing Code & WHS Changes
A detailed legal guide to the major changes in Queensland's construction industry for 2025. We break down the BIFOLA Act's pause on Project Trust Accounts, the new statewide Housing Code designed to speed up development, and stricter Work Health and Safety (WHS) reporting obligations. Understand how these reforms, driven by the QBCC's move to a "modern regulator" model, will impact your construction business, from contracts to compliance.

John Merlo
Dec 1214 min read


How to Defeat Ostensible Authority Claims in Commercial Leasing
Discover how a leasing agent can bind you to a deal you never approved through the legal doctrine of ostensible authority. This guide provides developers with a defensive playbook to dismantle these claims by attacking the three pillars of representation, reliance, and detriment, ensuring you maintain control over your commercial projects.

John Merlo
Dec 1014 min read


Challenging the Unchallengeable: A Developer's Guide to Overturning Expert Determinations on "Manifest Error"
Discover the narrow legal grounds of "manifest error" that allow developers to challenge and overturn a flawed but "final and binding" expert determination. Learn from the landmark Bagata v Sunstorm case what constitutes an actionable error and how to protect your project from costly, incorrect decisions.

John Merlo
Dec 812 min read


How a Builder's Side Deed Can Secretly Sabotage Your Project
Discover the hidden dangers in a standard Builder's Side Deed. The "Extended Cure Period" clause, designed to protect lenders, can force your builder into insolvency and sabotage your entire project. Learn how developers can negotiate fairer terms to mitigate this critical risk and ensure project viability.

John Merlo
Dec 514 min read


Forcing Builder Liability for AI Errors with an "AI Warranty" Clause
Standard construction contracts are defenceless against AI-generated errors, creating a huge liability gap for developers. Learn how to implement a specific "AI Warranty" clause to make your builder 100% responsible for the accuracy of any AI-generated schedules, designs, or claims, protecting your project from costly tech failures.

John Merlo
Dec 411 min read


The $1.3M Typo: A Developer's Guide to Payment Claim Precision After Iris v Descon
A procedural error on a payment claim cost one company $1.3 million. This guide deconstructs the Iris v Descon case and provides a concrete playbook for Queensland developers to manage BIF Act compliance, mitigate risk, and protect project profitability through robust internal processes.

John Merlo
Dec 214 min read
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