BUILDING LAW 12.5 P. Williams. First semester Up to four hours a week of lectures and tutorials. The objectives of the Building Law subject are for students to gain a preliminary theoretical and practical knowledge of the law as it impacts on Builders, Quantity Surveyors and the other participants involved in the construction process.

The objectives include the gaining of specific skills to enable students to achieve competency relevant to the following procedures:

  • negotiations relevant to contracts generally;
  • negotiations relevant to building contracts and the legal requirements pertaining to quality, time and cost;
  • construction with risk management;
  • construction with minimum disputation and appropriate dispute resolution.
Introduction to legal principles and business law; the legal system and legal processes; sources of law; precedent; interpretation of statutes; court hierarchy and civil procedure. The law as it impacts on builders; the law of contract and tort; laws relating to planning, building control and property; building contracts and the attendant responsibilities of the parties; negligence, liability, professional indemnity insurance, management of risk; roles undertaken by the builders and the provision of their professional services. Business law; laws relating to business finance; business organisations, partnership and agency; incorporation. One 2-hour examination paper; assignments equivalent to not more than 5,000 words.