Sacha Mackness

Expertise

Sacha is a Senior Associate in our Construction, Infrastructure & Projects team, advising clients on construction disputes, risk allocation, contract administration and regulatory matters.

Drawing on experience across regulatory bodies and private practice, Sacha focuses on delivering practical, commercially grounded advice that aligns with project objectives and industry realities. Her approach reflects an understanding that construction disputes and risk allocation are rarely theoretical and require solutions that enable projects to continue moving while protecting her clients' legal and commercial position.

Sacha is recognised for her attention to detail and analytical precision, particularly in high-risk environments involving contractual interpretation, dispute causation and regulatory frameworks. Her background, including work in demanding operational and regulatory settings, underpins a methodical and disciplined approach to legal problem-solving. This translates into a strong ability to develop structured strategies that withstand scrutiny in both advisory and dispute contexts.

Sacha also brings strong court advocacy and dispute resolution capability, with a focus on achieving clear and strategic outcomes for clients in contested matters. Her approach to advocacy is grounded in careful preparation, a thorough understanding of the evidence, and an ability to translate complex technical issues into compelling legal arguments. This makes her particularly effective in the construction industry, where disputes frequently intersect with technical, contractual and regulatory considerations, and where strong advocacy is essential to resolving claims efficiently and commercially.

Experience

Sacha’s experience includes:

• advising commercial builders on key contractual processes, including the preparation and response to payment claims and schedules, dispute resolution strategies, and termination rights under construction contracts
• preparing clear and commercially focused legal advice on complex and nuanced aspects of construction contracts, working closely with contractors to identify areas of potential exposure and implement practical risk mitigation strategies
• strong regulatory experience acting for the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, working across a range of enforcement and administrative matters involving review applications, and regularly appearing in the tribunal and representing the Commission in conferences and hearings
• extensive court advocacy experience through regular appearances across multiple jurisdictions, including the Supreme Court of Queensland, District Court, Magistrates Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
• drafting a broad range of court documents across multiple jurisdictions, with a strong focus on clarity, precision and strategic positioning, including affidavits, submissions and interlocutory applications.