James Barbar

Senior Associate

James is a construction lawyer specialising in resolving high-stakes construction disputes and building defect claims for owners corporations in NSW. With a proven track record of navigating the complexities of the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW) and the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW), James provides strategic legal advice to owners corporation across Sydney and NSW. As a specialist in NSW construction law, James has successfully represented and appeared for clients in interlocutory disputes in the Supreme Court of NSW and in final hearings in the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).

Expertise

  • Court Advocacy: Regularly appearing in the Supreme Court of NSW and NCAT for building defect litigation. Experienced in conducting directions hearings, interlocutory motions, and final hearings, both unled and alongside counsel.
  • Building Defect Claims: Leading legal representation for owners corporations (ranging from boutique blocks to 500+ lot schemes) in complex litigation against builders, developers and sub-contractors.
  • Statutory Warranties & Insurance: Expert advice on building defects, Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) insurance claims, and navigating critical limitation periods.
  • DBPA Compliance: Specialist guidance on the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW), ensuring owners and builders meet evolving regulatory standards.
  • Injunctions & Freezing Orders: Proven ability to protect client assets by obtaining freezing orders against developers during litigation.
  • Contract Negotiation: Drafting and negotiating robust building contracts to mitigate risk before construction begins.
  • Qualifications & Memberships: James holds a dual Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business (Finance) from UTS. He is an admitted lawyer of the Supreme Court of NSW and a member of the Law Society of NSW.

Contact James

Latest Articles

New Victorian Building Legislation

Introduction to Strata Building Defects

The Challenges of Arranging Building Work to Existing Strata Schemes