Lachlan Commins

Lachlan specialises in advising on claims arising from building, construction, and built environment projects. He acts for insurers in coverage and defence matters, and represents built environment professionals, developers, builders, contractors, and consultants in back-end disputes and litigation. Lachlan also provides advice on front-end construction and built environment contracts, as well as risk management.

Before entering the legal profession, Lachlan worked as a qualified quantity surveyor at a national construction consultancy that specialised in built environment and major infrastructure projects. His core responsibilities included cost estimation, cost controls, facilities management, and expert witness reports. Lachlan’s dual qualifications and experience in construction consultancy and law gives him a unique insight into the practicalities and intricacies of the construction process. He draws on his combined expertise to the advantage of his clients in providing advice on both front-end contract and back-end dispute matters.

'Disputes in the construction industry are often extremely complex, technical, and involve numerous parties and stakeholders. As a lawyer, this tests my ability to efficiently analyse large amounts of technical information and to apply my up-to date legal knowledge to quickly arrive at the optimal course of action. I find immense satisfaction in combining my technical expertise and legal skills to achieve the best possible outcome for my client in a way that is effective and efficient.'

Lachlan has extensive litigation experience in building and construction disputes, having acted in the Supreme, District, and Local Courts, as well as NCAT. He has also prosecuted and defended large scale claims and adjudications under the Security of Payment Act legislation.

In all matters, Lachlan’s primary focus is to identify and address the most critical issues impacting his clients and their businesses. He prioritises protecting their position and achieving their desired outcomes through efficient time and resource management. This approach ensure matters are managed with precision and clarity, while providing clients with comprehensive explanations of contractual provisions and the status of any disputes or litigation.