Lawyers Qld Building and Commercial Litigation Lawyers

We represent Builders, Subcontractors, Owners and Developers (Commercial and Domestic) and Body Corporates.

Lawyers Qld offers a unique practical approach to helping clients. We believe that to practice this area of law you need to understand the building industry and the technical aspects of construction. We have a support network of building industry experts who can give you the information you need to understand all of the issues. We will provide the right advice from engineers, building consultants and Private Certifiers. At the same time we explore all of your legal rights and protect your interests.

Fixed Price Initial Consultation with a Solicitor Brisbane or Gold Coast $295 + GST
If you would like to talk to a solicitor about a building dispute, commercial litigation, a Commercial and Consumer Tribunal matter including Liquor licensing, a BSA statutory insurance claim, QBSA review or building industry debt recovery. Call now to book a meeting with a lawyer in the Brisbane CBD call 07 30365233 or at Southport on the Gold Coast call 07 56770533.  Click here to contact us  Lawyers Qld are members of the HIA and Master Builder's Association

Experience Counts

Karen Schwede is a Solicitor and the Legal Practitioner Director of the firm and personally handles all building and construction matters. Karen is a current member of the Queensland Law Society's Construction and Infrastructure Committee.  She was admitted as a Solicitor in 1988 and is an Australian Legal Practitioner which entitles her to practice in any Australian State. She has extensive experience as a Solicitor having worked in private practice as a queensland solicitor and as a Legal Officer for the Queensland Government. Karen also has international experience and is a Qualified Solicitor in England, Wales and Hong Kong.  Karen has worked for major law firms in London and was the Asia region in-house legal counsel for Barclays Bank.

Queensland Building Services Authority

The primary Queensland Government regulatory authority for Building and Construction in Queensland is the Queensland Building Services Authority or the BSA. The Queensland Building Services Authority was established under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991. The Queensland Building Services Authority licenses all Queensland builders, building designers and trade contractors. It also provides a Home Warranty Insurance Scheme more commonly known as BSA Insurance in relation to defective work or non completion. The Queensland Government has ensured that Queensland residential consumers are protected by a bsa Insurance Scheme. This is not the case in all Australian States. Contracts for residential construction work over $3,300 in value can in most circumstances be covered by the BSA Statutory Insurance Scheme which provides up to $400,000 cover for 6 1/2 years if a licensed contractor performs the work under circumstances which are explained in the policy. the licensed Builder, Trade Contractor or Private Certifier is responsible for paying a bsa insurance fee to the Building Services Authority. After the Builder or Contractor pays the required fee, the BSA insurance section should provide you with a copy of the bsa insurance policy that relates to your specific project.  If you are not provided with a copy, immediately contact the BSA insurance section to establish if you are covered by the qbsa insurance. The qbsa insurance is to be taken out before work commences.

The Queensland Building Services Authority website has a wealth of useful information about building and construction in Queensland. Probably the most useful service available on the site for consumers is the free online license search facility. The search facility allows consumers to instantly establish if a Builder, Trade Contractor or Private Certifier hold the appropriate BSA license. It is important to note that the bsa Insurance Scheme is for domestic residential work and only covers consumers if they engage a BSA Licensed Builder, Trade Contractor or Private Certifier.

Queensland Building Services Authority Reviews

If the Queensland Building Services Authority makes a decision affecting you and you do not agree with the decision, you can have the decision reviewed in the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal.  Most commonly the reviews are BSA Insurance reviews  or disciplinary matters. There are strict time limits (usually 28 days) which apply to reviewing a decision of the BSA. Lawyers Queensland solicitors can act on your behalf in lodging and pursuing a review of a decision of the Queensland Building Services Authority.

Commercial and Consumer Tribunal

BSA Insurance reviews and building disputes in Queensland are heard in the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal which was formerly known as the building tribunal. The Commercial and Consumer Tribunal is located at 259 Queen Street, Brisbane. The Commercial and Consumer Tribunal Website is a good source of information for consumers.  A Queensland Solicitor from Lawyers Queensland can appear on your behalf at the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal.

Disclaimer

The content of this website is for information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Everyone's circumstances are different and you must seek formal legal advice before relying upon anything stated on the website.

Date published October 2008