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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 5, 202514 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 4, 202511 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 2, 202514 min read


The Developer's Gambit: Using QBCC Contract Non-Compliance to Trigger a JV Default
Learn how a JV partner's failure to use QBCC-compliant building contracts can be framed as a material breach of your development agreement, providing a powerful and legally defensible trigger to enforce default provisions, take control of a project, or terminate the partnership.

John Merlo
Nov 7, 202515 min read


How QLD's 2025 Defamation Reforms Protect Property Developers Online
Discover how Queensland's proposed 2025 defamation law reforms would provide a powerful 'corporate shield' for property developers. Learn how to prepare for the ability to unmask anonymous online attackers, hold digital platforms accountable, and integrate these proposed new legal tools into your risk management strategy to protect your company's reputation and bottom line.

John Merlo
Nov 5, 202513 min read


The Developer's Litigation Shield - Mastering Security for Costs in Queensland
In Queensland's construction industry, winning a lawsuit against an insolvent builder can be a hollow victory, leaving you with a massive legal bill. A security for costs order is a powerful legal shield that forces a plaintiff to prove they can cover your costs if they lose. This guide explains how developers can use this tool to protect their projects and avoid financially ruinous litigation.

John Merlo
Nov 4, 202513 min read
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