Bastion Legal’s Dean Charalambous recently featured on the Site Inspections YouTube channel with Zeher Khalil in a two-hour investigation uncovering how families were left devastated by forged contracts, invalid insurance, structural defects, and no protection when their builder failed them.

A critical independent review conducted by Weir Legal and Consulting has revealed the continual failures within the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), highlighting its inability to protect homeowners from defective and incomplete construction…

In this episode of Site Inspections, we look at a case where homeowners were allowed to move into their properties without an Occupancy Certificate (OC), even though the works were incomplete and non-compliant.

Dean Charalmbous joined Zeher Khalil on the Site Inspections podcast to dive into the world of construction law and homeowner rights. In this episode, we unpack some of the complexities around construction insurance and what homeowners need to know during the building phase.

The case has been the catalyst for exclusions in professional indemnity insurance cover, withdrawals of insurance cover and increased premiums for practitioners in the building and construction industry, including consultants such as those in this case (architects, building surveyors and fire engineers)…

In Owners Corporation PS505245E and Ors v Moresi Builders Pty Ltd and Anor (Domestic Building) [2011] VCAT 1630, the Owners Corporation PS505245E and individual lot owners (“the applicants”), initiated proceedings against Moresi Builders Pty Ltd (“the builder”). The builder was responsible for constructing their residential multi-unit residential complex located in Richmond.

On 13 April 2023, the respondents made an application pursuant to section 77 of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 (Vic) that this proceeding be struck out and the matter referred to the Supreme Court of Victoria.

In Troise v Blue Key Properties Pty Ltd (Building and Property) [2025] VCAT 9, Anna Maria Troise and Luciano Troise (“the owners”), entered into a domestic building contract with Blue Key Properties Pty Ltd (“the builder”), for the construction of a residential property. A dispute arose regarding the completion of the building works, specifically related to the issuance of a conditional occupancy permit.

In Pafburn Pty Limited & Anor v The Owners – Strata Plan No 84674 [2024] HCA 49, the Owners Corporation of a residential strata building in North Sydney initiated legal action against Pafburn Pty Limited (“the head contractor”) and Madarina Pty Ltd (“the developer”). The Owners Corporation (“the applicant”) alleged that both parties breached the statutory duty of care under section 37 of the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW) (“DBPA”), resulting in construction defects.

The owners submitted the claim that Meldan failed to ensure  that the works were carried out with reasonable care and skill, not that the Meldan itself  had failed to carry out the work in such a manner, the VCAT determined that the claim was not apportionable…