Publications

A close-up, slightly high-angle shot showing a person's hand in a blue suit jacket and white shirt cuff placing a white document titled "REQUEST FOR PARTICULARS" onto a polished wooden desk. In the background, slightly out of focus, is a cluttered desk with crumpled papers and a binder labeled "STATEMENT OF CLAIM." The lighting is dramatic and moody, highlighting the document in the foreground.

The Cost Shield - How a Request for Particulars Stops Vague Construction Claims from Draining Your Finances

Discover how a simple legal document, the Request for Particulars, can act as a powerful "cost shield" in Queensland construction disputes. This article explains how to force clarity from plaintiffs, control your legal spend, and build a stronger defence against vague and costly allegations.

John Merlo

Jan 615 min read

Aerial view of half-completed high-rise residential development at sunset with construction cranes and exposed concrete framework alongside finished glass towers in Queensland Australia showing stalled construction project

How Queensland Courts Calculate Loss of Opportunity Damages for Developers

Expert insight into how Queensland courts assess and quantify 'loss of opportunity' damages for property developers. Learn about the evidence required, the role of expert witnesses, and the strategic choice between QCAT and the Supreme Court for high-value construction disputes.

John Merlo

Oct 9, 202516 min read

The Developer's Defence Manual - How to Dismantle a Builder's Quantum Meruit Ambush in Queensland

A builder's post-project quantum meruit claim can be a significant financial threat. Learn the key strategies developers in Queensland can use to dismantle these ambushes, from leveraging watertight contracts and meticulous documentation to challenging the "reasonable value" of the work performed.

John Merlo

Oct 8, 202514 min read