Alex Hartmann

Practice Areas

Alex specialises in advising clients in the construction and engineering sectors including government, state owned utilities, institutional property owners, developers, hotel and hospital operators, contractors, major equipment suppliers, financiers and consultants.

Professional Memberships

Member, Law Society of New South Wales

Member, Society of Construction Law Australia

Work Highlights

Non-contentious infrastructure and major projects

Global supermarket operator - drafting and negotiating of materials handling automation supply and installation contracts, base building contracts and maintenance agreements for logistics centres in Victoria and NSW, store construction and refit, rooftop solar installation and materials supply.

Pembroke Real Estate - advising on the $100 million+ refurbishment and subsequent lease of its 20 Martin Place property including Early Contractor Involvement Deed, Design and Construct Contract, over 15 consultancy agreements and construction aspects of subsequent Agreement for Lease. The building has achieved 6 Star Green Star As Built certification.

Wet'n'Wild Sydney aquatic leisure park - Advising Wet'n'Wild Sydney Pty Ltd on the drafting and negotiation of a management contracting agreement for the construction of the $120 million Wet'n'Wild Sydney aquatic leisure park (with 42 slides and attractions including a wave pool and beach with surfable generated wave).

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) - advising on structuring and tendering of major precinct redevelopment project, preparation of suite of construction contracts used as base contracts for major projects (Dr Chau Chak Wing, Broadway and Thomas Street buildings). Advising on appointment of architect to Broadway Building project; advising on contract administration, variation and dispute resolution issues across several projects. Advising on UTS Central Project for demolition and rebuilding of Building 2.

Engineering and Procurement Contractor for Iron Ore processing plant - advising multinational engineering company on implications of insolvency of consortium member and on re-contracting of residual scope of work of more than $500 million.

Sydney Desalination Plant - advising Sydney Water in drafting and negotiating 20-year operations and maintenance agreement for desalination plant. Advising regarding post contract issues relating to contract administration and access to third party land (particularly with NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (now Roads and Maritime Services) and Sydney Airport Corporation Limited).

Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa - advising Emirates Hotels over three-year period on procurement strategy, drafting and negotiation of construction and consultant agreements, supply and utility contracts.

Dispute Resolution

Solar energy component supplier - making and defending claims for global supplier of key components of solar farms in multiple adjudication, Supreme Court litigation and international arbitration proceedings.

Major building component supplier - defending multi-party building defects claims in Supreme Court litigation and pursuing claims for payment in adjudication and domestic arbitration proceedings.

Major Contractor - advising on defence and subsequent commercial resolution of two NSW Supreme Court proceedings involving claims under vendor warranties given by client in relation to construction contract novated under Asset Purchase Agreement.

Telecommunications Company - successful resolution of very large claim for delay, variation and breach of contract claims arising from construction and upgrades to mobile telephone towers including renegotiation of contract terms.

State-owned Corporation - successful defence of $60 million contractor claim for variation and delay costs arising from construction of high voltage power line in expert determination and subsequent resolution of residual issues by commercial negotiation.

State-owned Corporation - defence of multiple variation, latent conditions and flood - related claims of $60 million. Advising on related entitlement to bring claim under inter-governmental funding agreement.

Security of Payment Adjudications - acting for claimants and recipients of payment claims in more than 60 disputes, including matters where recipients of claims achieved either withdrawal or complete rejection of claims by adjudicators. Industry sectors include mining, commercial property, waste disposal, solar farm component supply, universities, office fit out, professional services, telecommunications, motorway and industrial maintenance.

Awards