Construction and company disputes, argued and mediated.
I am a Melbourne barrister with two decades at the Victorian Bar. My practice is building and construction, building product liability and class actions, owners corporations, and Corporations Act disputes. I appear as counsel and mediate as a Nationally Accredited Mediator.
Two ways to engage me
Every engagement runs through my clerk, Chris Chapman of Chapman's List. My clerk manages availability, conflict checks, fee agreements and accounts. I do not hold or receive client money.
Brief me as counsel
For solicitors instructing in litigation, tribunal proceedings and advisory work.
- Advice, pleadings and submissions
- Trials, VCAT hearings and appeals
- Expert conclaves and conferences
- Fee disclosure provided on briefing
Appoint me as mediator
For parties and their lawyers seeking a construction or commercial mediation.
- $6,600 per day plus GST
- Joint appointment by the parties
- Fee paid in advance through my clerk
- Melbourne, on site, or online
This site is general information about my practice. It is not legal advice, and contacting me or my clerk does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
Areas of practice
Most of my work sits where technical evidence meets commercial pressure: defective work, failed products, stalled projects and fractured companies. I work closely with experts and run cases with the end in view, whether that is judgment or settlement.
Building and construction
Domestic and commercial building disputes: defects, delay, variations, termination, payment claims and liquidated damages, in VCAT, the County Court and the Supreme Court.
Building product liability and class actions
Claims arising from failed building products and systems, including representative proceedings, where causation and the expert evidence decide the case.
Owners corporations
Disputes between owners corporations, lot owners, builders and managers, including common property defects, levies and governance.
Corporations and shareholder disputes
Oppression, share valuation, directors' duties and company governance disputes, often in closely held and family companies.
Mediation by a construction barrister
I am a Nationally Accredited Mediator. Parties in building and company disputes often want a mediator who reads the expert reports properly and can test each side's case on its merits. That is the mediation I offer.
- RequestSend a request through the form or to my clerk. Include the parties, their lawyers and some preferred dates.
- Conflict check and confirmationMy clerk confirms availability and conflicts, and issues the mediation agreement and fee.
- Fee in advanceThe mediation fee is paid to my clerk before the mediation, shared between the parties unless they agree otherwise.
- Preliminary conferenceA short call with the lawyers to settle attendees, documents, position papers and the format of the day.
- Mediation dayIn chambers, at a venue of the parties' choice, or online. Terms of settlement can be prepared on the day.
Fees
As at 9 November 2026
- Mediation$6,600 per day plus GST
- Preparation and after-hours work$660 per hour plus GST
Fees are paid in advance through my clerk and are usually shared between the parties.
Request a mediation
The request goes to my clerk, Chris Chapman, who will reply with availability, the mediation agreement and the fee.
Send to chris.chapman@vicbar.com.au, or call (03) 9225 7666.
Arbitration
I am undertaking the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) qualification pathway, as part of building a practice in domestic and international commercial and construction arbitration. This page will be updated as that training is completed.
Papers, case notes and commentary
I write on construction law, shareholders' remedies and dispute resolution. Short commentary on recent decisions appears on LinkedIn; longer pieces are collected here.
Sharing the loss
Paper and presentation for the Legalwise Contract Law Conference, 2027.
Shareholders' remedies
Notes on leading Australian authorities on oppression and members' remedies, including Wayde v New South Wales Rugby League Ltd (1985) 180 CLR 459 and Jenkins v Enterprise Gold Mines NL (1992) 6 ACSR 539.
Recent decisions
Short commentary on construction, class action and arbitration decisions.
Nicholas Andreou
I have practised at the Victorian Bar for about twenty years. My work centres on building and construction disputes, where I act for owners, builders, consultants, insurers and owners corporations, and on Corporations Act matters, where directors' duties in a corporate setting are a particular strength.
I hold a Master of Laws and have taught sports law at Victoria University. I am a Nationally Accredited Mediator and a member of Melbourne TEC Counsel, a group of Victorian barristers practising in technology, engineering and construction.
- Victorian BarBarrister, about 20 years
- ClerkChapman's List
- MediationNationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS)
- ArbitrationUndertaking CIArb training
- QualificationsMaster of Laws (LLM)
- TeachingSports law, Victoria University
- MemberMelbourne TEC Counsel (MTECC)
Engage through my clerk
For briefs, availability, mediation bookings, arbitral appointments and fees, please contact my clerk. Solicitors are welcome to email me directly about a matter already on foot.
Clerk
Chris Chapman
Chapman's List
(03) 9225 7666
chris.chapman@vicbar.com.au
Address
Owen Dixon Chambers West
525 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000