Architects, Engineers and the Law
Mon
24
Mon 24 Aug 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Online via Zoom
General Admission
2 part webinar series - 4 CPD points
Session 1: The current state of the Law for Architects and Engineers
Monday August 24, 2026, 4pm - 6pm AEST
Session 2: Improving the quality of documentation
Monday August 31, 2026, 4pm - 6pm AEST
“Architects, Engineers and the Law” by JR Cooke is one of the best-known textbooks for professional practice examinations. First published in 1989, the fourth and final edition was issued in 2010.
“Building Contracts” by Robert Brooking is another commonly cited text. First published in 1974, it is now in its 6th Edition, having been taken over by three new authors, and published by Lexis Nexis.
Like the common law itself, these books are largely backward-looking, with references to many cases that appear quaint to contemporary practitioners. Indeed, many cited cases are quaint, but they are still the law.
This is a key problem for architects and engineers; the evolution of their professions has outrun the common law.
While the backbone of Architectural practice is still regarded as the administration of lump sum contracts, many currently practicing architects will have never administered one, but by being involved in the construction process, they have exposed themselves to risks they did not foresee and cannot control.
It is common now for project managers or QS’s to be appointed Superintendent of a building contract, but neither of these professions is properly trained to make the sort of decisions inherent in turning an architectural idea into reality. Architects and Engineers are still taught the skills of running a contract, but it is increasingly rare for them to exercise these skills.
This is extremely important in a low fee market. The common law does not recognise fee discounting as an excuse for sketchy practice in documentation or during construction, but the reality is that current market fee levels will not provide the income to support sufficient time, or sufficiently experienced staff, for the documentation and construction phases.
This two-part webinar series will examine the current state of professional liability and most importantly, how architects and engineers can control their liability. It also looks at strategies to persuade clients to preserve the value of their investment in design through the documentation and construction phases.
Speakers:
1. Richard Kirk, Prizewinning Architect
2. Mitch Francis, Senior Associate, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
3. Ryan Loveday, Director Fulton Trotter Architects
4. David Springett, Director, Paragrid Architecture
5. Prof Geoff Hanmer, MD of ARINA and Adjunct Prof at UTS
Session 1: The current state of the Law for Architects and Engineers
Monday August 24, 2026, 4pm - 6pm AEST
Session 2: Improving the quality of documentation
Monday August 31, 2026, 4pm - 6pm AEST
“Architects, Engineers and the Law” by JR Cooke is one of the best-known textbooks for professional practice examinations. First published in 1989, the fourth and final edition was issued in 2010.
“Building Contracts” by Robert Brooking is another commonly cited text. First published in 1974, it is now in its 6th Edition, having been taken over by three new authors, and published by Lexis Nexis.
Like the common law itself, these books are largely backward-looking, with references to many cases that appear quaint to contemporary practitioners. Indeed, many cited cases are quaint, but they are still the law.
This is a key problem for architects and engineers; the evolution of their professions has outrun the common law.
While the backbone of Architectural practice is still regarded as the administration of lump sum contracts, many currently practicing architects will have never administered one, but by being involved in the construction process, they have exposed themselves to risks they did not foresee and cannot control.
It is common now for project managers or QS’s to be appointed Superintendent of a building contract, but neither of these professions is properly trained to make the sort of decisions inherent in turning an architectural idea into reality. Architects and Engineers are still taught the skills of running a contract, but it is increasingly rare for them to exercise these skills.
This is extremely important in a low fee market. The common law does not recognise fee discounting as an excuse for sketchy practice in documentation or during construction, but the reality is that current market fee levels will not provide the income to support sufficient time, or sufficiently experienced staff, for the documentation and construction phases.
This two-part webinar series will examine the current state of professional liability and most importantly, how architects and engineers can control their liability. It also looks at strategies to persuade clients to preserve the value of their investment in design through the documentation and construction phases.
Speakers:
1. Richard Kirk, Prizewinning Architect
2. Mitch Francis, Senior Associate, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
3. Ryan Loveday, Director Fulton Trotter Architects
4. David Springett, Director, Paragrid Architecture
5. Prof Geoff Hanmer, MD of ARINA and Adjunct Prof at UTS
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