Nicholas Andreou is a barrister with a broad practice in building and construction, commercial disputes, property law, and insurance. He holds a science degree, which gives him a particular facility with technically demanding matters where scientific methodology, expert evidence, or complex quantification is as important as the legal principles at stake.
His principal area of practice is building and construction law, where he advises and appears in disputes spanning the full lifecycle of construction projects. His work includes claims under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995, the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002, and the Australian Consumer Law. He regularly acts in defects litigation involving complex causation and quantification, including claims by subsequent owners and successors in title for defective building work and building products. He has experience with the statutory warranty regime, insurance coverage disputes arising under ministerial orders, and the distinction between structural and non-structural defects.
Nicholas has particular experience in proceedings involving multiple parties, concurrent wrongdoer and apportionment defences under the Wrongs Act 1958, and contribution claims. He has acted in owners corporation proceedings with numerous lot holders, building disputes with joined third parties and cross-claims, and commercial matters requiring the management of voluminous documentary evidence. His capacity to work through large, technically detailed briefs and to distil complex factual and expert material into clear submissions is a consistent feature of his practice.
He accepts briefs across the Supreme Court of Victoria (including the Technology, Engineering and Construction List and the Commercial Court), the Victorian Court of Appeal, the County Court, VCAT, and interstate jurisdictions. He has appeared both as sole counsel and as junior to leading counsel in appellate proceedings of significant complexity. He is also a Nationally Accredited Mediator.
Nicholas has co-authored articles on the assessment of damages in construction disputes and the treatment of quantum evidence.
Areas of Practice:
Building & Construction, Security of Payment, Domestic Building Disputes, Defects & Warranty Claims, Defective Building Products, Subsequent Owner & Successor in Title Claims, Commercial Disputes, Property Law, Owners Corporations, Insurance, Australian Consumer Law, Corporations & Insolvency, Defamation, Mediation
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
