David McElveney

Senior Consultant Norton Rose Fulbright Australia

+61 414 933 084

+61 414 933 084

David McElveney

David McElveney

Biography

David McElveney is a construction, engineering and infrastructure lawyer based in Sydney.

David has 35 years' experience working on a range of construction and infrastructure projects and disputes in Australia and internationally. He has headed legal teams in Australia, APAC and the Middle East. David is a recognised construction law expert with experience across the full spectrum of work; from project documentation, through project delivery, to the resolution of claims and disputes via negotiation, litigation, arbitration and the full range of alternative dispute resolution procedures.

David has been a partner in Australian and international law firms for 25 years. He was a partner at a predecessor firm of Norton Rose Fulbright from 1998 to 2008 before joining the Middle East practice of a London headquartered global firm. He lived and worked in Abu Dhabi for over 5 years. David's particular expertise has seen him working on large international projects and international arbitrations. Throughout his career, David has held a number of leadership and strategy roles, including head of group for Australia and APAC and APAC regional Board member.

David has acted for the successful parties in a number of landmark cases. He has been consistently named as a leading lawyer in legal directories and he regularly presents at industry seminars in Australia and internationally. 

Professional experience

Representative experience

Representative experience

  • Consortium of international EPC contractors - multiple disputes and international arbitration proceedings in relation to the onshore processing facilities for one of the world's largest LNG projects.
  • Middle East Government - Defence of USD 4 billion claim by international contractor in respect of a landmark transport infrastructure project in Dubai.
  • Australian O&M Contractor - review and negotiation of project documents for a road PPP project from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.
  • National Retailer - over 15 years on a range of construction projects including the rollout of automated distribution centres and logistics warehouses throughout Australia, the company's corporate headquarters, data centres and numerous retail outlets.
  • Property Developer - development of a Sydney suburb over a period of approximately 10 years, from inception to multi-stage development and the resolution of disputes.
  • Peninsula Balmain -v- Abigroup Contractors - for successful party in Court of Appeal proceedings dealing with issues such as the role of the contract administrator, delay claims and contract termination.
  • Major contractor - arbitration proceedings in relation to claims arising out of the design and construction of a sewage transfer hub in Victoria. 

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