Legal Breakfast 2026 Presents Construction Law

Description

Reconfiguring liability for defective buildings – the Building Amendment Bill 2026

Minister Penk has announced a fundamental shift in the allocation of legal responsibility for building defects.

Richard Johnstone of Left Bank Chambers will outline the new regime of proportionate accountability, replacing joint and several liability for multiple parties, which is intended to reflect the actual role and contribution of each participant.

Drawing on the Australian experience and selected precedent cases and commentary, he will highlight the practical implications for designers, contractors, and suppliers/manufacturers.

The Bill will also introduce wider self-certification capabilities, a mandatory structural warranty for residential builds, and ‘updated’ definitions of restricted works. These are important changes, likely to apply from mid-2027.

CHRISTCHURCH 

Date:  Thursday 23 July 2026
Time:  8:00am - 9.30am
Venue:  Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square - 52 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011
Cost:  Free for Building Institute members; $65 + GST for Non-members
CPD:  3 credits

QUEENSTOWN

Date:  Friday 24 July 2026
Time:  8:00am - 9.30am
Venue:  Sudima Queenstown Five Mile - 20 Grant Road, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
Cost:  Free for Building Institute members; $65 + GST for Non-members
CPD:  3 credits

Speaker information 

Richard Johnstone
Barrister, Left Bank Chambers 

Richard is a Barrister practising out of Left Bank Chambers in Christchurch. Liability risks and claims/defences, and construction disputes both residential and commercial, are key areas of his work.

This event is supported by