Member Role: Associate
Tel.: t: +7 3495 4260 m: +61 406 053 519
Email: ashleigh.taplin@merlehangroup.com
Ashleigh is a specialist construction, infrastructure and resources lawyer with broad experience across both front-end contracting and back-end dispute resolution work for both major project owners and contractors. Ashleigh’s experience spans acting for major project owners including large mining corporations, infrastructure owner and operates and major developers, as well as major commercial builders and civil contractors.
Ashleigh commenced employment with Merlehan Group in 2018.
Expertise
- Commercial advisory
- Construction and commercial contract preparation and negotiation
- Dispute resolution
Example Engagements
Back end
- Advised major national property trust in relation to defective concrete installed by a major contractor, including review and advice of rights under contract and engagement with contractor to attain resolution of matter.
- Advised multiple industry participants on the exercise of rights under the Security of Payment legislation in Australia to recover or resist disputed payments.
- Advised multi-national high end furniture manufacturer on termination of dealership and distribution agreement in a territory within the Asia Pacific region.
- Advised Australia’s largest privately owned construction company in relation to extension of time claims, alleged defective works and related disputes.
- Advised property developer in relation to recovery of distressed subdivision project including conduct of litigation with civil contractor.
Front end
- Regularly act for both major developers and national commercial builders drafting head contracts as well as a suite of subcontracts to mirror head contract obligations in major residential and mixed-use tower developments and multi-housing residential projects.
- Acted for major international mining corporation in relation to $2bn mine closure project including:
- routine review of all material contracts before tender and award including review and amendment of consultancy agreements, variation agreements, confidentiality agreements, major works contract, services contracts, major procurement contracts.
- review of COVID-19 direction and management plan.
- Advised major international mining corporation in relation to contracts for redevelopment of an expert facility including development of target cost estimate marine berth installation contract, marine services contract and WHS advice.
- Advised major international mining corporation in relation to refinery closure contract including development and negotiation of bespoke major civil works contract for sedimentation pond rehabilitation.
- Advised major resources company in relation to all aspects of delivery of new portside fuel terminal storage and delivery facility development, including major civil contracts, ground improvement contracts, procurement templates, major tank infrastructure design and installation and early contractor involvement contracts.