Chris Philactides

Chris is a Special Counsel in Lander & Rogers' Insurance Law & Litigation team, with deep expertise in commercial litigation and dispute resolution in construction and property-related insurance disputes, strata law, and domestic building insurance. He acts for leading private and government insurers and statutory bodies in complex, high‑volume and high‑risk matters to facilitate solutions and obtain results.

Chris is known for providing clear, commercially grounded advice in technically and politically sensitive environments, and for his ability to manage large portfolios of claims while maintaining close oversight of litigation strategy, regulatory risk and stakeholder management.

Experience

Chris advises insurers, government agencies and scheme administrators on coverage, claims management, dispute resolution and regulatory issues arising from defective building work, builder insolvency and complex construction disputes. His practice spans VCAT, court and pre litigation matters, as well as strategic and policy adjacent advisory work.

Chris works closely with insurers and regulators to ensure matters are progressed efficiently, defensibly and with appropriate regard to reputational and public accountability considerations.

Chris' areas of expertise include:

• domestic building insurance and statutory insurance schemes
• construction and property-related insurance disputes
• coverage and indemnity advice
• VCAT and court litigation
• regulatory and government advisory work
• high-volume claims management and portfolio oversight.

Career highlights

Chris' career highlights include:

• advising clients in relation to complex defect claims, both litigated and non-litigated, with values ranging up to $20 million
• advising government insurers in relation to the administration of DBI claims arising from insolvent and non-compliant builders, including complex eligibility, scope and completing builder issues
• defending insurance claims against builders, design professionals, surveyors, architects and fire engineers for defects claims
• advising insurers and statutory bodies on the legal and evidentiary status of regulatory findings, FOI sensitive material and public accountability considerations
• coordinating and overseeing claims reporting and strategic briefings for government and insurer clients in high-profile and time critical matters.