Construction Contracts: Drafting, Interpreting & Administering
Description
In 2025, Cowell Clarke offered a year-long course comprising 11 seminars addressing the fundamentals of drafting, interpreting and administering construction contracts.
The course was well received, and Jamie Watts has since been asked on several occasions whether it will be offered again.
In 2026, Jamie will present the course in a condensed two-day format, with assistance from Amanda Brady, Director, and Matthew Hawke, Associate Director.
The course provides a framework for understanding the concepts and principles that guide the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts. Once understood, these concepts can be applied to any contract, regardless of its source or drafting style.
The sessions will encourage discussion and explore the practical, real-world application of each topic.
Attendees can participate in person or online. We encourage you to attend in person to gain the most from the interactive sessions. A light lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.
Agenda
- 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Day One — Thursday, 22 October 2026
10:00am–1:00pm • Introduction / Risk Allocation / Contract Structure • Quality / Drafting Scope / Preliminaries • Time / EOT Claims 1:00pm–2:00pm — Break for Lunch 2:00pm–4:00pm • Contract Sum / Variation Claims • Role of the Superintendent / Architect / Assessment of Claims • Design / Design Risk
- 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Day Two — Thursday, 29 October 2026
10:00am–1:00pm • Retaining Consultants / Novation • Security / Bank Guarantees / Insolvency • Insurance in Construction Contracts / Indemnities 1:00pm–2:00pm — Break for Lunch 2:00pm–4:30pm • Statutory Regulation / Security of Payment / Worker’s Liens / WHS • Dispute Resolution / Project Finalisation / DLP Administration • Contract Drafting / "How To" Compile a Contract At the conclusion of Day Two, in-person attendees are invited to join Jamie and the team for drinks and canapés.
Lineup
Jamie Watts
Director Jamie Watts is the leader of Cowell Clarke’s Building, Construction and Infrastructure team, bringing nearly 30 years of experience to his market leading guidance and advice. Jamie Watts is one of South Australia’s preeminent lawyers in the Building, Construction and Infrastructure industries. As one of the few practitioners in South Australia that advises in both drafting construction contracts and construction disputes, Jamie is sought after for his market leading expertise and experience in a broad range of matters. Jamie holds substantial experience in litigation related to general property and commercial disputes, while also providing guidance in issues pertaining to energy and resources, insolvency and probity. He is a sought after presenter to clients and industry groups. Jamie has been recognised in Best Lawyers Australia since 2017 for Commercial Law, Construction / Infrastructure Law and Litigation. He is also ranked by peers in the South Australian Doyles Guide 2019 - 2025 as a Leading Front End Construction & Infrastructure Lawyer.
Amanda Brady
Director Amanda Brady is known for her efficient, practical approach to dispute resolution. Amanda plays a key role in our Dispute Resolution team, having worked solidly in the areas of commercial disputes and construction since 2010. She advises and guides clients towards the resolution of disputes relating to contractual and property related matters as well as disputes between office holders of companies and associations. She regularly appears in all South Australian Courts as well as the Federal Circuit Court and Federal Court of Australia. Amanda is also a senior member of our Construction and Liquor Licensing teams. She is the Secretary and Past President of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in South Australia. Amanda has been recognised in Best Lawyers Australia since 2021 for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Litigation. She is also ranked by peers in the South Australian 2022 Doyle's Guide as a Rising Star in Construction Law.
Matthew Hawke
Associate Director Matthew Hawke has considerable specialist experience in construction law. In a sector always affected by the pressure of time, Matthew’s background in technology allows him to bring smart technological solutions to complex legal problems. In addition to advising clients on construction disputes (including security of payment and compulsory acquisition), Matthew also provides front-end advice on the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts, having experience with all common Australian Standard construction contracts. Outside the construction space, Matthew supports clients in advancing or defending their general contractual, misrepresentation, trade practices and common law claims, building on his background in large-scale insolvency disputes. Matthew was awarded by Best LawyersTM Australia “Lawyer of the Year” for Construction / Infrastructure Law in Adelaide, 2027. He has been recognised since 2022 for Construction / Infrastructure Law. He is also ranked by peers in the South Australian 2022 Doyle's Guide as a Recommended Lawyer in Construction & Infrastructure Litigation.
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