Parametrics can be used to supplement traditional insurance or to address some risks that traditional insurance cannot provide cover for.
Powerpoint, recording (courtesy of Wynn Williams) and CPD record sheets in Members Only Area
NZ’s adoption of proportionate liability – a most historic development in construction law.
Powerpoint, recording (courtesy of Simpson Grierson) and CPD record sheets in Members Only Area
Entry is available to persons who have an interest in construction law and who, as at 31 October 2025, were New Zealand residents and:
21 November 2025 - ENTRY CLOSED
28 November 2025 - approval of topics and eligibility
25 June 2026 - Prize Winners announced (at AGM or Annual Dinner)
Essays may be on any topic related to construction law, with the topic being subject to prior approval by the Council of the Society.
Conditions of entry and all competition information including essay entry form Essay prize winners are invited to present their essays in August, a highlight on the SCL calendar.
2025 essay prize winners Oscar Read and Erica Dysart's essays, together with previous years' winners essays published to the members only area.
Updated December 2025
The Society is very pleased that, pending approval by SoCLA, it will be fielding a team into the 2026 Charrett Moot. Our team of four SCL(NZ) recent grads have submitted their expression of interest and we are now waiting until the end of the registration period for formal acceptance of our team.
Once this has been confirmed we will advise who will be representing NZ in the prestigious Australian Charrett Moot 2026.
The preliminary rounds are conducted via Teams, which is why having a Kiwi based team is feasible. The teams that make it through to the finals compete at the SoCLA 2026 May Conference.
The provisional dates for the 2026 Charrett Moot are:
For background information on the moot, see: Charrett Moot | Society of Construction Law Australia
If you have any queries on the Moot please contact Melanie Whittaker or Jonathan Forsey.
We will update this page as more information comes to hand.
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 (presented 26June2025 Wgtn Conf Dinner)
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.
(photo: left to right) Stuart Robertson (PP) congratulates Erica Dysart (presented 21August2025 Aklnd presentation)
Our prizewinning essays and recording of livestream presentation (courtesy of Duncan Cotterill) published in our Members Only Area
The New Zealand Society of Construction Law was formed in 2005 to promote research and education in the field of construction law and a means by which people from throughout the industry could come together to discuss issues relating to construction law. SCL is an interest group not a professional institute. Evidence of professional qualification is not required.
Flyer introducing our topic and speaker
Presentation and recording (courtesy of Wynn Williams) in Members Only Area
There has been a phenomenal amount of new attention on this issue and it is perfect timing that we have Adjunct Professor Kim Lovegrove and Mark Colthart able to articulate the area for SCL. They will be focused on ensuring that the narrative is clear, that the understanding of proportionate liability and its application is demystified, and that the sessions provide real clarity for practitioners.
Flyer introducing our speakers and their discussion Presentation and recording (courtesy of Simpson Grierson) in Members Only Area
Lord Justice Coulson discussed, amongst other things, adjudication and the Technology and Construction Court (TCC). Further discussion includde, Lord Coulson’s perception of the changing nature of claims / disputes and how that is dealt with.
Flyer introducing Lord Justice Coulson| CPD in Members Only Area
Flyer introducing our speakers and their discussion.| Presentation and recording (courtesy of Duncan Cotterill) in Members Only Area
Flyer| Presentation and recording (courtesy of Wynn Williams) in Members Only Area
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
Our prizewinning essays will be published in our Members Only Area shortly
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