Kerry is a dual-qualified specialist construction and infrastructure lawyer, with a focus on litigation and dispute resolution.
His practice covers large-scale, complex multi-party infrastructure and engineering disputes involving construction professionals across all jurisdictions in Australia.
His practice extends to advice on a range of projects, such as community centres, high-rise mixed-use towers, hospitals, agricultural facilities, rail projects and windfarms.
Experience
Kerry's many years of experience as an advocate means that he regularly appears in mediations, contested hearings in courts and in arbitral tribunals across many jurisdictions in Australia.
Of particular note, Kerry's experience includes handling disputes arising from the scope and operation of the two largest coal-driven power stations in South Africa. He has also advised on the enforcement of payment certificates issued following the construction of South Africa's largest wind-powered power station.
In Australia, he has advised many construction industry participants at all levels including developers, major infrastructure contractors, specialist subcontractors and construction professionals on dispute resolution, negotiated settlements, adjudication, mediation, expert determinations, arbitration and court litigation.
He has acted in matters ranging from complex security of payment claims, contractual entitlements, termination, recourse to bank guarantees and claims involving non-compliant building products (cladding).
Prior to migrating to Australia, Kerry practised as a barrister in South Africa from 2006.
Kerry was listed a rising star in Australian Construction and Infrastructure in the 2020 Doyles Guide.
Kerry is a member of the Users Group, Building Cases List in the County Court of Victoria.
Career highlights
Kerry's experience includes:
- acting for a manufacturer and installer of insulated and fire rated façade and roofing systems in claims for the alleged defective supply of a roofing system to a national engineering head contractor in a community centre, in the Supreme Court of Western Australia
- acting for a multinational engineer in relation to disputes associated with design work in a large multi-level high rise building in Melbourne
- acting for a multi-national head contractor in relation to the provision and installation of alleged glass facades at a multi-level high rise building in Melbourne
- acting for various industry participants in relation to disputes concerning the supply and installation of combustible cladding in buildings in Victoria
- acting for a mechanical services contractor in disputes with the head contractor in relation to the Casey Hospital Expansion Project. Represented the client in complex adjudication applications, two of which were judicially reviewed in the Supreme Court of Victoria