Chris Larkin is Managing Director of Secretariat and has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry. A chartered civil engineer with a law degree and deep arbitration qualifications, Chris has been frequently appointed as a planning expert witness and has acted as an assistant expert witness on delay and quantum matters across projects around the world. His experience spans engineering, construction, dispute resolution and expert evidence, giving him a unique perspective on why major projects succeed or go wrong.
In this episode, Maona speaks with Chris about the common issues he sees behind construction disputes, from rushed design and tender periods to scope gaps, interface issues, poor record-keeping and insufficient planning. He explains what expert witnesses actually do when analysing delays and disputes, why proactive project leadership can make such a difference, and how early advice can help teams identify and resolve problems before they escalate. Chris also explores the role of different contract structures, adjudication and alternative dispute resolution, the potential impact of AI and technology on dispute resolution, and the lessons he believes the construction industry still needs to learn.
Resources and links:
Chris Larkin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-larkin-5b9531a/
Connect:
The Society of Construction Law Australia website: https://www.scl.org.au/
The Society of Construction Law Australia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/society-of-construction-law-australia/
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA). The content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or other advice. Listeners should consider their own circumstances and seek appropriate advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information contained in this podcast.
This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information.