Conference Programme Sincere thanks to our sponsors, speakers and delegates for an amazing couple of days conference.
A sincere thank you to our speakers for sharing their expertise and time so willingly.
Speakers' presentations published to our members only area
Photo: Arie Moore, Immediate Past President and Conferene Chair opens the 2025 SCL Conference New Directions: Navigating the Changing Construction Landscape.
Sincere appreciation to our sponsors for their support
Preconditions to Arbitration: Supporting Best-For-Project Dispute Resolution
Judges’ citation: Pre-conditions to arbitration under NZS 3910:2013 were recently considered by the High Court and now with the changes within NZS 3910:2023, we have a new regime. This paper is well researched and considered, with the author proposing a hybrid approach, with a new clause, for clause 13.3.1 of the new NZS 3910. The content of the paper is relevant not only to the parties to the contract, but also to Contract Administrators and Independent Certifiers.
(photo: left to right) Oscar Read (first prize) congratulated by Jonathan Aquilina, Essay Committee Member (absent Erica Dysart)
Judge, Jury, and Executioner – Extending Self-Certification Abilities to Trusted Building Practitioners
Judges’ citation: This is a live issue with the recent announcement by the Hon. Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction. Those members with sufficient “grey hair” will be nervously watching how these initiatives will be implemented. Accordingly, this paper is timely. It is well researched, informative and thought provoking, having considered not only New Zealand, but also the landscape in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Our prizewinning essays will be published in our Members Only Area shortly
Christchurch 19 August Wellington 20 August Auckland 21 August
Robert's presentation focused on the cost assessment of delayed time-related on-site overheads / preliminaries and included a deeper dive into various related factors
Powerpoint, recording (courtesy of Simpson Grierson) and CPD record sheets in Members Only Area
discussed all about The Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill
Powerpoint and CPD record sheets in Members Only Area
Our meeting is being held on Tuesday 29 July 2025
In person in Auckland and a hub in Christchurch 5:30pm for 6:00pm to 7:15pm with Livestream 6:00pm to 7:15pm (a hub in Wellington if sufficient registration)
Download flyer introducing our speakers and their discussion
Brisbane, Australia Auckland with livestream (courtesy of Simpson Grierson) and hubs in Wellington and Christchurch
Flyer | Powerpoint and recording in Members Only Area
discuss The Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill.
Flyer | Powerpoint in Members Only Area
The serious consequences of a construction contract having prohibited retention money clauses. Stevensons Structural Engineers 1978 Limited (In liq) v McMillan & Lockwood (PN) Limited
How long is your Longstop? Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner Limited v Wellington City Council
Problem Producer Statements potential penalty path Solicitor-General's Reference (No 1 of 2022)
Flyer introducing our presenters and the construction law caselaw
Webinar recording (courtesy Duncan Cotterill), presentations and CPD attendance in members only
State Highway 25A Taparahi rebuild project after the road collapsed during the North Island’s major storm event in January 2023
Flyer introducing our discussion and panellists
Livestream recording (courtesy Hesketh Henry) and CPD attendance in members only
Livestream recording (courtesy of Chapman Tripp) and CPD attendance in members only area
2024 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations
2023 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations
2022 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations
2021 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations
2020 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations
2019 Members Only Area for meetings and presentations
Visit our Become a Member page for membership benefits, application form and subscription information
SLC(NZ) members can access these papers on the SCL(Intl) website.
Need help accessing the members area of SLC(Intl)?
Contact SCL(NZ) Manager Melanie Whittaker
The New Zealand Society maintains ties with its sister societies in other parts of the world so that members are kept up-to-date about news and upcoming events in the construction industry in those jurisdictions.
New Zealand members have access to papers published on the SCL(International) website.
2019 conference delegates
Transmission Gully site visit
Christchurch Town Hall site visit
The Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct site visit
2021: SCL(NZ) was proud to host the 9th International Society of Construction Law 'Building for Change' Conference
4-5 November 2021
Virtual (due to Covid-19 restrictions international and domestic NZ travel was prohibited), Auckland, New Zealand
9th International Conference Papers and recording
2019: Fundamentals of Construction Law – the project lifecycle - Auckland conference papers
23 July 2019 (preceded by SCL AGM)
Level 5 Lounge, North Stand, Eden Park, Auckland.
This conference covered themed project lifecycle stages of a construction project, from procurement, insurance, performance, to termination and resolving disputes.
2017: Identifying and Managing Obligations, Wellington - Wellington conference papers
15 June 2017: Site Tour - Transmission Gully
16 June 2017: Conference at Te Papa, Wellington (keynote Richard Wilmot-Smith QC of 39 Essex Chambers, London)
2015 : Best Practice Procurement and Contracting in NZ Construction & Infrastructure - Christchurch conference papers
13 August 2015 : City Tour- Key Projects in the Christchurch City Rebuild (photos above)
14 August 2015 : Conference at The Chateau on the Park (photos below)
2014 : When the Contract Gets Dirty – applying the contract to on-site reality - Auckland conference papers
2012 : Construction Law Core Skills Seminar, Fundamental Topics in Construction Law presented by Leading Industry Practitioners - Auckland conference papers