Building & Construction Litigation

Over 60 years of combined expertise acting in domestic and commercial property and building matters & litigation.

Led by industry veteran Robert McGirr and award-winning litigator Danielle Snell, we act for owners, builders, developers, building professionals, consultants, owners corporations and industry bodies.

We are known for representation at the Domestic Building Dispute Resolution of Victoria, the Domestic Building and Property List of the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal, the County Court of Victoria and the Supreme Court of Victoria in relation to building disputes and claims including attendance at compulsory conferences, hearings and trials. We also represent building practitioners in regulatory and disciplinary proceedings.

Through embracing the spirit of entrepreneurship and modern collaboration, we have adopted a model where our clients are at the centre of everything we do and become part of the journey, rather than removed from it.

We have a high success rate of settling cases prior to trial and navigating expectations of various stakeholders in litigation to strategise and negotiate smart commercial outcomes.

Elit is highly regarded for providing top-tier client outcomes without the big firm costs.

Expertise

Building Defect Claims including structural defects and claims against insurance companies and insurers of building professionals

Expert evidence and advice in relation to rectification of defects insurance claims

Disputes in relation to Caveats and Mortgages

Nuisance and Water Act claims

Security for Payment Act 2002 claims

Show cause notices, including responses

Building Contracts preparation, review and negotiation

Acting on behalf of property owners in relation to proposed compulsory acquisitions pursuant to the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 [Vic].

Advising numerous building practitioners involved in high value building projects in relation to their roles and obligations pursuant to building contracts and/or consultancy agreements and potential liability exposure.

Owners Corporation issues and disputes

Advice on termination of Building Contracts

Consultancy, Civil works, Infrastructure, Management/Superintendent and Development Agreements

Adverse Possession and Boundary Disputes

Expertise

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Building Defect Claims including structural defects and claims against insurance companies and insurers of building professionals

Expert evidence and advice in relation to rectification of defects insurance claims

Disputes in relation to Caveats and Mortgages

Nuisance and Water Act claims

Security for Payment Act 2002 claims

Show cause notices, including responses

Building Contracts preparation, review and negotiation

Acting on behalf of property owners in relation to proposed compulsory acquisitions pursuant to the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 [Vic].

Advising numerous building practitioners involved in high value building projects in relation to their roles and obligations pursuant to building contracts and/or consultancy agreements and potential liability exposure.

Owners Corporation issues and disputes

Advice on termination of Building Contracts

Consultancy, Civil works, Infrastructure, Management/Superintendent and Development Agreements

Adverse Possession and Boundary Disputes

Since the firm launched, Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell have won multiple awards, including:

Danielle Snell. Managing Partner of the Year.

Managing Partner of the Year - Winner

Law Firm Leader of the Year <100 employees - Winner

Elit Lawyers. Litigation Team of the Year

Litigation Team of the Year - Finalist

NewLaw Firm of the Year - Finalist

Boutique Firm of the Year - Winner

NewLaw Firm of the Year - Finalist

Expertise in property & building litigation

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Major Matters

Major Matters

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Get in touch

With us personally, it is just one more way we’re different.

Danielle Snell

CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER

.

Robert McGirr

CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER

.

Latest Building & Construction Litigation News

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"

"Aggie is the best lawyer in Common Law Claims I have ever worked with. Aggie helped me achieve an extraordinary outcome."

Common Law Claim

Ian

Aggie is the best lawyer in Common Law Claims I have ever worked with. Having seen a couple of large Law Firms l felt let down, being quickly shown the front door. Luckily for me a friend suggested seeing Aggie Vlahos (Partner).

Having engaged Aggie Vlahos gave me the confidence to continue with the injuries l knew were caused by heavy physical and repetitive work. I am also indebted to Brendan Johnson (Barrister) for his outstanding efforts!

She explained everything in a way I could easily understand and always got back to me quickly when I had questions even outside her working hours.

Aggie helped me achieve an extraordinary outcome. However, only charged fair fees.

If someone is seeking a legal help, I highly recommend Aggie Vlahos and Elit Lawyers.

P.S. Thanks to you so much Aggie

"

"I had the good luck to be recommended to Aggie Vlahos for handling my Estate Litigation Case. Through Aggie I achieved a very satisfying result."

Estate Litigation

Jan

I had the good luck to be recommended to Aggie Vlahos for handling my Estate Litigation Case. She was always available to me, no matter how big or small my concern was. She was kind, patient, easy to talk to and very understanding regarding my troubles.

The case was resolved within only 5 months, which I was grateful for. Through Aggie I achieved a very satisfying result.

I would have no hesitation in recommending her to others.

 

"

"If you want a safe, caring, professional group of lawyers and company, look no further than Aggie Vlahos and Elit Lawyers."

Family Law Matter

Michael

Thank you to Aggie Vlahos (Partner) and the staff at Elit Law, also James Eley (Barrister). You did a marvelous job in representing me in relation to my family matter and most importantly caring about me and providing a secure environment for me to navigate a very difficult situation.

The result you achieved was nothing short of amazing. The professionalism displayed on the day by Aggie and James blew me away. With their invaluable guidance and support we achieved a extremely favourable result.

If you want a safe, caring, professional group of lawyers and company, look no further than Elit Lawyers.

Great people, Great Service, Great Company.

 

"

"The best of the best plaintiff lawyers against insurance companies. We had a very tough and complex case and Danielle and her team settled with the insurance company for an optimal outcome."

Insurance Policy Holder

Home owner

The best of the best plaintiff lawyers team against insurance companies.

We had a very tough and complex case against insurance company that we lost our home and contents.  After disappointing and frustrating process from another law firm and firing them we found Danielle Snell and her team.

They are very dedicated, knowledgeable, passionate and possess great communication skills.  We couldn’t ask for more and settled with a optimal outcome.

"

"It’s great to be able to confidently refer clients to someone who can help and support them, and to feel that they are receiving the best service."

Senior Adviser

Financial Planner

We are so glad to have you in our referral channel.

It’s great to be able to confidently refer clients to someone who can help and support them, and to feel that they are receiving the best service.

"

"This was a “David v Goliath” fight as our dispute was with a large global corporation. The attention, compassion and guidance that Danielle and the team showed us was absolutely incredible."

CEO & Founder

National mental-health support organisation

We recently instructed Danielle from Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell to help with a legal dispute. As a small purpose led business, this was a “David v Goliath” fight as our dispute was with a large global corporation. This dispute was during a very emotional time as we were in the middle of a global pandemic, Melbourne’s sixth lockdown, homeschooling and no childcare – all while trying to keep our small business alive.

The attention, compassion and guidance that Danielle and the team showed us was absolutely incredible. I have 10 years legal experience myself and even with that, I was reluctant to litigate, especially during such a difficult time. However Danielle always gave us confidence in knowing that she was in our corner and always working for our best interests, so my reluctance was quickly appeased.

Today I am pleased to share that David defeated Goliath and we could not be more thrilled with the result we received thanks to Danielle and the team from Elit Lawyers. Danielle not only saved our company, but ensured that we could continue doing the good work we were previously and helping improve the lives and mental health of mothers across Australia.

I could not recommend Danielle and the team from Elit Lawyers more highly. I am *hoping* that I will never need their services again, but feel very reassured knowing they are there and always in my corner.

Thank you Danielle and team.

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