Peter Macnish
Special Counsel
“My focus is finding solutions – practical, effective solutions. I partner with my clients in determining the best legal and commercial route through any issue.”
Peter Macnish, Special Counsel and Head of Construction
Expertise
Peter has over 20 years' experience acting for operators in the
construction industry, and is sought by major national contractors
for his legal expertise, industry knowledge, ability to comprehend
and negotiate complex technical issues, as well as his sound
commercial advice.
His clients find his experience is invaluable in contract
negotiation, drafting and administration - particularly contracts
involving large scale infrastructure projects that incorporate
telecommunications and other technology. He also advises in dispute
resolution and, where required, conducts complex litigation.
Peter is committed to his role as leader of our Construction
group, which provides a full range of legal services to clients in
the construction industry, including owners, developers and
contractors.
Experience
Peter has acted for and advised:
- a major client involved in the extractive industry on contracts
for the design, construction, commissioning and integration of sand
and concrete processing plants involving complex automated
equipment
- Ericsson Australia regarding claims made across Australia,
which arose out of the construction of the 3G telecommunications
network
- Ericsson Australia regarding aspects of its contract
negotiation with NBN Co for the roll out of the National Broadband
network
- Barco Systems (a subsidiary of Barco NV, a major international
communication technology company based in Europe) relative to
contracts including those for the design, supply, installation,
integration and commissioning of:
- large screen video wall signage equipment, software and
technical support including the icon signage wall installed atop
Melbourne's Young and Jackson Hotel opposite Flinders Street
Station
- video display equipment, software and technical support
integrated into the control equipment for a New Zealand hydro
power station
- video display equipment, software and technical support
for road and rail network control rooms in Victoria and New South
Wales
- of equipment, software and technical support for incorporation
into mission and support systems for defence purposes under a
confidential contract and in particular for the protection of
Barco's intellectual property
- Barco Systems on the negotiation and drafting of the
overarching terms and conditions of a long term supply of
information technology and associated hardware and software and
related services by Barco to the New South Wales Roads and Marine
Services Authority
- Webb Australia, a company that specialises in the design,
manufacture and implementation of materials handling solutions
regarding contracts including those for the design, supply,
installation, integration and commissioning of specialist equipment
for:
- an explosives plant
- a cyanide processing and packaging plant
- SRS (a food packaging company) regarding a contract for the
purchase, installation, integration and commissioning of a new
automated production line
- the statutory body owner of a major sewage treatment plant
regarding technical difficulties associated with its contract for
major upgrade works including the implementation of secondary
treatment facilities
- a major construction group on its acquisition of civil
construction assets throughout Australia, including undertaking due
diligence relative to their construction contracts
- various clients on major infrastructure projects, including
PPP, Alliance and other hybrid contracts
- the owners of Melbourne CBD sites, including preparing the
construction documentation for a 50 level apartment and retail
complex.
Pro bono and Community Work
Peter has undertaken varied pro bono work throughout his career,
including his position on the board of a charity that supplied
crisis housing for homeless children.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws (the University of Melbourne)
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practise
Victoria
High Court of Australia