Sarah is a Partner in our Commercial Litigation & Disputes and Construction & Projects Teams.
Sarah is highly sought-after for her practical and timely expertise in building & construction and commercial litigation & dispute resolution, primarily in the transport, utilities, civil infrastructure, defence and aerospace sectors.
Experience & expertise
Sarah is a highly experienced commercial litigation and building and construction lawyer with a strong track record in complex, high‑stakes disputes. She has acted in major matters in all courts, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal Court and High Court of Australia.
Sarah has particular expertise in disputes arising under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), including judicial review challenges to adjudication determinations in the Supreme Court of NSW. She is regularly engaged on technically complex and procedurally sensitive matters in this area.
Her experience also extends to advising on the negotiation and documentation of high‑risk commercial and construction contracts, including professional services, supply and ICT arrangements. She acts across a wide range of construction contracts, including D&C, construct‑only, minor works and professional services agreements.
Clients value Sarah’s ability to navigate complex legal issues with clarity and precision and consistently commend her strategic decision‑making and problem‑solving. She has also undertaken significant client secondments, including with public and statutory bodies and listed companies.
Admitting to practise law in the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia, Sarah focuses on helping construction professionals keep projects on track, avoid disputes and manage claims and notifications through early, practical advice. She also regularly presents to clients and industry bodies on construction and dispute issues.
Work highlights
Between 2016 and 2018, Sarah acted for the successful party in the landmark High Court proceedings Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Shade Systems Pty Ltd. The matter culminated in a unanimous High Court decision confirming that the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) excludes the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to quash adjudication determinations for non‑jurisdictional errors of law on the face of the record. The decision remains a leading authority on the scope and operation of the Security of Payment regime in NSW.
Sarah’s notable cases include:
- Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Shade Systems Pty Ltd (2018) 264 CLR 1
- Shade Systems Pty Ltd v Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd (No 4) [2018] NSWCA 52
- Shade Systems Pty Ltd v Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 33
- Shade Systems Pty Ltd v Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 382
- Shade Systems Pty Ltd v Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd (No 2) (2016) 95 NSWLR 157
- Flynn v PPK Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (No 2) [2022] NSWSC 1640
- Futurepower Developments Pty Ltd v TJ & RF Fordham Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 1554
- Pinnacle Construction Group Pty Ltd v Dimension Joinery & Interiors Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 894
- Southern Cross Electrical Engineering v Steve Magill Earthmoving [2018] NSWSC 1027
- Futurepower Developments Pty Ltd v TJ & RF Fordham Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 232
- Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Shade Systems Pty Ltd [2016] NSWSC 770.
Professional background
