Real Estate Law and Construction Law

Real estate markets are entering a more selective phase. Capital is concentrating on quality assets, financing conditions remain nuanced and structural themes are increasingly driving performance.

Victoria's planning enforcement regime has undergone significant transformation following the 2016 Corkman Irish Pub demolition scandal. The new legislative framework introduces unprecedented powers for courts and authorities, including commercial benefit orders, industry exclusion provisions, and civil penalties with lower burdens of proof. These reforms fundamentally reshape how planning violations are prosecuted and penalized across the state.

This monthly roundup examines three significant NSW court decisions from July 2026 that demonstrate how courts are increasingly scrutinizing the enforcement of Security of Payment Act judgments, particularly when builders face financial difficulties or disputes involve residential construction. The cases reveal evolving judicial approaches to freezing orders, stays of enforcement, and the strict compliance requirements that can make or break a SOP Act claim.