Our Experts
RESIDENCE: Sydney, Australia
TELEPHONE: +61 407 853 145
jhemms@connellgriffin.com
Wherever you are in the world, no matter what the sector or size of dispute, we have the expertise to meet your demand
Julian Hemms
BSc (Hons) MAICD
MCIArb, MAIQS, MRICS, MCIOB, MCInstCES
Julian has more than 20 years of experience working in major building, civil engineering, resources, roads and rail and water infrastructure projects throughout the UK and Australia.
A qualified RICS Appointed Expert for Expert Determination and with significant experience working for tier one contractors, his expertise is in relation to the analysis and strategic commercial planning of claims for complex projects under all forms of contract and procurement models. He acts not only as an advocate but also as an expert independently when required. He is a delay expert and quantum expert combining client and contractor skills to give and provide for clients’ solid robust commercial outcomes.
He is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Chartered Builder, Chartered Civil Engineering Surveyor, member of SOCLA and has produced papers for SOCLA and undertaken presentations around risk, contract risk allocation and management of claims.
Prior to working in the consulting field, Julian was Regional Commercial Manager UK South for Bovis Lend Lease, lead commercial Manager for Laing O’Rourke Australia and has held the Director for Commercial Advisory and Claims with HKA and for RPS.
Julian has acted a quantum and delay expert witness recently in relation to Sydney Water project, as a mediator, as an expert determining disputes between building parties on defective works and variations and as an advocate on a complex road project as the delay and quantum expert.
Area of Expertise
Risk Management
Forensic Delay Analysis
Prolongation and Disruption Analysis
Preparation of Prolongation Claims
Commercial & Contract Strategy
Complex Transaction Management
Gap Analysis in documentation
Quantum & Independent Expert Evidence
Adjudications (non-practicing Adjudicator)
Project Audit and Project in Distress Recovery
Contract Mapping and Training for teams
Governance for Projects
- BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying, Birmingham University 1999
- MRICS 1118594 – Member of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
- MCIOB 1427638 – Member of Chartered Institute of Building
- MAIQS – Member of Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
- MCInstCES- Member of Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors
- MCIArb 6046404- Member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrations
- Levels 1-5 Diploma Adjudication (UK)
- RICS Panel Member and Appointed for Expert Determinations
- SOCLA Member of Society of Construction Law
- 5393 (now resigned) Member of Association of Cost Engineers
- MAICD- Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Governance training in corporate environment
- Level 1 International Law Arbitration
- RICS Chairperson and Assessor for NSW and Qld (over 40 assessments undertaken)
- Articles – Risk Abrogation or Risk Allocation? Infrastructure Australia publication
- SOCLA- August 2020 presenter on risk (highest attendance)
- Expert for RICS on 7 matters for buildings
- Claim Consultant for BGC Contracting on WtB Project for Delay and Quantum
- Independent Expert for Hunter Water on Claims in relation to EOT and Disruption
- Appointed Expert for Water Lower South Creek to determine complex variation for Disruption, Loss and Expense, Variations, extensions of time and contract interpretation of pain/ gain
- Acted as Advocate defending John Holland prolongation claims on Moore Bank Unit
- Multiple Adjudications defended from subcontractors to contractors
- As Lain O’Rourke, led the commercial team to convert a Lump Sum Contract to a Cost Plus through commercial strategy, smart claims management and demonstrable claims which could not be challenged
- Ran HKA Commercial and Claims Advisory for NSW and Qld and grew business from 0 – 15 people with a solid track record and reputation
- Claims for Insurance on Buildings damaged by fire, parade grounds, flood damage and water
- Risk Manager for TfNSW on their Easing Sydney Congestion Project and also designed in accordance with ISO Risk Accreditation for implementation at Government level
- Regional Commercial Manager trained in projects in distress recovery, analysing quickly and effectively project problems and providing commercial outcomes
- Cost Planning and running a cost planning team
| Present | Director Queensland ConnellGriffin |
| Feb 2019 – Feb2020 | RPS National Lead for Claims & Disputes |
| Oct 2016 – Feb 2019 | HKA Director for Commercial and Claims Advisory |
| Jan 2012 – Oct 2016 | Laing O’Rourke Australia – lots of commercial roles |
| Jul 2007 – Dec 2011 | Regional Commercial Manager UK Bovis Lend Lease |
| Mar 2004 –Jul 2007 | Senior Commercial Manager Taylor Woodrow |
| Jul 2000– Mar 2004 | Managing Quantity Surveyor Pearce Construction UK |
| Jul 1998- June 2000 | Senior Quantity Surveyor Weaver Plc |
| Jul 1994– June 1998 | Chartered Quantity Surveyors John Baddeley |