Matthew Bliem specialises in claims management and dispute resolution on large construction and infrastructure projects. He also assists clients with contract drafting and procurement. Matthew advises and acts for clients on all phases of the construction life-cycle, from advising on negotiations at the time of contracting, through to claims management during construction works and formal dispute resolution processes. His experience includes assisting clients in litigation and other forms of dispute resolution (including international and domestic arbitration, mediation, expert determination and other collaborative dispute resolution processes).
Matthew has assisted owners, construction contractors and subcontractors both within and outside of Australia on projects including pipelines, power stations, railways, motorways, airports, hospitals, industrial and manufacturing plants/facilities, offshore minerals processing facilities and city district developments. Matthew has worked on projects in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania, having previously worked in London and Melbourne.
Matthew has been recognised as One to Watch by Best Lawyers and is a member of the Society of Construction Law Australia and Law Institute of Victoria.
Expertise
Experience
- Steel fabricator Advising in an international arbitration seeking additional time and cost from the construction contractor.
- Subcontractor Advising in a domestic arbitration relating to a hospital project.
- Principal subcontractor Advising on claims and obligations arising on a hydropower project.
- Equipment manufacturer Advising on claims and liabilities on an construction of an offshore gas platform.
- Developer Advising in an international arbitration for claims regarding a city district development.
- Designer and purchaser Advising separately on claims and obligations arising during construction and procurement of two motorway and tunnel projects.
- Construction contractor Advising in the McConnell Dowell v Santam Supreme Court of Victoria case, setting precedent for electronic disclosure/discovery.
- Design joint venture Advising on claims and counterclaims arising on the construction of a desalination plant.
- Contractor Advising on arbitration and litigation claims arising on a Middle-Eastern airport and new city district project.
- Owner Advising on a contractor’s failure to deliver an operational industrial chemical plant in the Middle East.
