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Andrew Orford
Partner, Brisbane
I lead MinterEllison's Construction Disputes team across Australia. I am a specialist construction disputes resolution lawyer and work with my clients in the infrastructure and resource sectors to devise and implement strategies to resolve large and complex disputes as quickly and commercially as possible. My experience canvasses all dispute resolution mechanisms in every State and Territory in Australia.

My focus on strategic contract administration assists my clients complete their projects on time and within budget while also minimising the risk of disputes. When disputes do arise, I am able to bring insights at a commercial and industry level from my previous senior commercial roles at BHP Billiton to achieve my clients' objectives.

Career highlights

  • Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal – advised WICET in relation to the disputes arising out of the construction of its $2.6 billion port facility. Disputes of ~$1 billion in the aggregate arose out of several of the project's major construction and equipment supply packages, including the construction of the wharf, jetty and shiploader components. A key part of the resolution of those disputes involved successfully defending the 2 largest adjudication applications ever submitted under the security of payment legislation in Australia, including one claim for ~$430 m
  • Queensland Rail New Generation Rollingstock Commission of Inquiry – I was the lead partner responsible for Queensland Rail's response to the NGR Commission of Inquiry. Andrew provided advice to Queensland Rail and its Board in relation to the substantive issues which arose in relation to various non-compliances of the NGR (both to functional requirements and the relevant disability legislation) in the context of a PPP project structure
  • Westconnex – advising the Joint Venture's responsible for the design and construction of the M4 East and M5 packages of the $19 billion Westconnex project
  • ConocoPhillips – advised ConocoPhillips in relation to the construction of the processing facilities for the $24 billion Australia Pacific LNG project.
  • INPEX – assisted INPEX in relation to one of the major EPC contracts in respect of its Ichthys Project
  • Infrastructure – acting for the contractors on numerous infrastructure projects in Australia and internationally, including Gateway Upgrade North, Kingsford Smith Drive, Logan Enhancement Project, Gateway Bridge duplication, Westconnex, Port Vila Urban Development Project, RAAF Base Tindal
  • Resources – acted for various principals and contractors, including Anglo American, BHP Billiton, Stanmore Coal, CPB Contractors, Downer, McConnell Dowell, Bouyges, Sedgman, UGL, Hastings Deering, Joy Global, Sandvik, Lendlease, the Queensland Government, Stanwell Corporation, GAWB and UGL
  • Awarded the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Award (Asia Pacific) in 2018 for Innovation in Legal Expertise for my role and approach to resolving the large and complex disputes associated the construction of the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal
  • Ranked as one of Australia's leading lawyers in Construction and Infrastructure, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution by Best Lawyers in 2022
  • Ranked as one of Queensland's 'leading' construction and infrastructure litigation lawyers in Doyle's Guide in 2022
  • Ranked as one of Australia's 'recommended' construction and infrastructure litigation lawyers in Doyle's Guide in 2022
  • Lecturer at the University of Queensland - Construction Law

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