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International Construction Law (LAWS70139)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
Contact information
December
Lecturers
Dr Donald Charrett, Coordinator
Sharon Vogel
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | December |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will be delivered online in 2020 over the scheduled dates.
Cross-border construction contracting, and the avoidance and conduct of international construction disputes, has a distinctive character and content.
Lawyers and industry professionals need to be familiar with the differences between legal systems and the impact of statutory law, the key issues in the international financing and procurement of projects, the range of standard form international contracts available for various delivery methodologies, along with the intricacies associated with those processes in an international context.
As well, this subject provides detailed treatment of both dispute avoidance techniques used in international projects and an introduction to the principles and practice of international arbitration in the construction context.
The lecturers, Dr Donald Charrett and Sharon Vogel, have extensive experience in aspects of international procurement and dispute resolution.
Principal topics include:
- Discussion of the key differences between common law and civil law, and how they impact on the practice of construction law in different jurisdictions
- The role of statute law applicable to the construction site, such as security of payment and mechanics’ lien legislation
- Key issues in the financing and delivery of international construction projects, including alternative financing such as PPP
- Analysis of international construction contracts including an examination of contracting models and standard-form contracts for international construction projects (including the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) suite)
- Key elements of contractual risk allocation including project security (bonds, letters of credit, and guarantees), insurance, regulatory risks, political risks, etc.
- An examination of international bodies dealing with the determination or resolution of international construction disputes
- An introduction to the jurisdictional, applicable law and procedural framework for the prosecution, determination and enforcement of construction disputes through international arbitration
- Identification and consideration of contractual and extra-contractual alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and dispute avoidance procedures (DAPs) in the context of international construction.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding, in a comparative and contemporary context, of the role and functions of law in relation to construction projects involving international parties in different jurisdictions
- Have enhanced their expert and specialised cognitive and technical skills required to practise as interdisciplinary professionals in the construction industry in Australia and overseas
- Be familiar with, be able to critically reflect on, and be confident in working across, the interaction between the technical, commercial and legal aspects of construction procurement in Australia and overseas
- Be able to demonstrate the research and communication skills required to independently investigate, examine and analyse existing and emerging legal issues relating to construction projects in Australia and overseas.
Last updated: 3 November 2022