Free, practical advice for members
Master Builders Members Legal is Master Builders' wholly-owned legal practice. We have your back when you need it.
Our expert team of lawyers specialise in providing legal and contractual advice. It's for commercial and residential builders, as well as subcontractors. Services are available only to our members. These are tailored to members specific business needs and circumstances.
- Access unlimited free legal and contractual advice. This can be relating to building and construction, specific to your situation
- Speak to qualified lawyers who specialise in building and construction law, and
- Receive expert advice with practical solutions.
Starting building, renovation and construction projects can be a complex journey, often full of legal complexities. If you’re a Master Builders member, you can take advantage of the free support provided by Members Legal. We’re a service that offers expert legal advice on construction projects at no cost.
This exclusive member benefit helps our members when contractual and legal issues arise. It also offers guidance before you begin your projects This can help you
- choose the right contacts,
- deal with supply price issues and offer advice,
- general advice on QCAT and Court processes,
- Project and Retention Trust Accounts, and
- security of payment advice.
Safeguard your business. Ensure you have the legal guidance you need to navigate the building and construction industry. We’re the legal minds behind you.
Who is it for?
We can help both builder and subcontractor members of any size who operate in either the residential or commercial sector.
We can advise you on:
- Your options before entering a contract
- Your rights and obligations under a contract
- How to avoid and deal with disputes during and after the job
- Managing payment disputes
- Your rights and obligations under the various laws and regulations affecting the building and construction industry, including
Comprehensive support tailored to your needs
Gain access to many legal services tailored to address the unique challenges you’re dealing with. Members Legal is committed to providing advice specific to your situation. We ensure that you are well-informed and equipped to make sound decisions throughout your projects.
A range of legal and contractual guidance
Members can take advantage of various free services, including contract advice tailored to the specifics of their projects. This encompasses a range of crucial areas of law, such as:
- Which contract to use for your specific project, ideal to know before you enter into a contract
- Contract advice tailored to the specifics of projects
- Rights and obligations of contracts: understanding the terms and conditions of your contracts
- Navigating Extension of Time (EOT) claims and Variation claims
- Payment disputes including adjudication processes
- Project Trust Accounts and Retention Trust Accounts
- Advice on QBCC decisions and directions including offences, defective work, statutory home warranty insurance claims, threats to licences, and more
- Understanding new or updated legislation, and
- QCAT and Queensland Courts – general advice and processes.
Free-of-charge expertise
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Adjudication process
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Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 (BIFA) guidance
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Contract terms and conditions
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Extension of Time (EOT) claims
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Help choosing contracts and contract advice
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Insolvency assistance and advice
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Payment disputes
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Rights and obligations of contracts
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QBCC decisions and directions
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QCAT advice
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Statutory Trust Accounts (STAs)
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Supply price issues and advice
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Understanding legislation
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Variation claims
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Court assistance and drafting
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Drafting clauses and special conditions
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Representation in court or tribunal actions
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Tribunal actions
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Terminating contracts and other complex matters
Scope of expertise and limitations
It's important to note that Members Legal focuses exclusively on legal and contractual matters affecting the building and construction industry. This encompasses a wide range of issues but excludes matters outside of this domain, such as employment law, personal injury, industrial relations, and other general legal matters.
Limitations and Referral Process
While Members Legal is a valuable resource, there are certain limitations to the services it provides. Members Legal is unable to represent you in court or tribunal actions or provide comprehensive advice on complex matters, such as terminating a contract. If the advice or service you need is outside of Members Legal’s scope, you will be referred to an appropriate external lawyer who is part of Master Builders' panel of lawyers.
Your details in confidence
Master Builders Members Legal is a registered Incorporated Legal Practice in Queensland and operates as a distinct and independent law firm, with strict confidentiality practices in place, keeping your matters confidential within the four walls of the Members Legal team. Rest assured that your information, as a member, will consistently be treated with confidentiality under the Legal Profession Act 2007 and in accordance with our lawyers’ professional obligations.
You can trust Members Legal to provide the information you require without any concerns—your information, issues and data are secure and are not shared with anyone outside of our Members Legal team.