Behind Every Building Dispute is a team effort
This week, one of our lawyers and I are in the thick of preparing for a VCAT hearing in the building and property list.
For some clients trial can be highly uncertain but to us, our role is supporting the client and ensuring everything is ready for the barrister to shine.
In our world, what makes outcomes is a collective team effort and it takes the whole team from the paralegal to the barrister to succeed.
To all the solicitor litigators what do you focus on? Is it the groundwork, collaboration and conscientious support of the whole team. Are there other efforts that other litigators know is critical.
In building disputes just like in construction, great results come from careful planning, teamwork, conscientiousness and attention to detail.
This article is a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
A building professional who can write a report and a building professional who can defend one under cross-examination at VCAT are rarely the same person, and the gap between them is costing property owners claims.
If water from a neighbouring property has damaged your home or investment property in Victoria, section 16 of the Water Act 1989 gives you a direct path to recovery, but only if you can prove exactly where the flow came from and why it was unreasonable.
When a property damage claim moves toward recovery, the tradesperson who fixed the problem and the expert who can prove liability in court are rarely the same person.