Industry Leader Tim Palin Delivers Project Management and Contract Insights to New Master of Construction Law

The new Master of Construction Law (MConsLaw), starting in July 2025, integrates students into the industry through practice-led courses.

4 June 2025

The new degree is designed to meet the needs of professionals working at the intersection of construction and law. It offers critical insights into how construction projects are planned, negotiated, managed, and resolved, from both legal and practical perspectives.

The Master of Construction Law can be completed in one year full-time or up to three years part-time, making it accessible to working professionals across Aotearoa.

We asked Tim Palin, a partner at the specialist project management, planning, and advisory services firm Frequency, about his role in delivering the degree.

What will you be teaching in the MConsLaw?

“I will be teaching BILD 403 Construction Procurement, Risk and Contract Administration which is focused on the theoretical and practical dimensions of engineering commercial contracts. The course explores how foundational legal concepts manifest in real-world project environments, with a strong emphasis on standard forms of contract such as NZS3910, NEC3, and FIDIC.

“Students will gain a deep understanding of different contract types (e.g., Traditional, Design & Build, Alliancing, PPPs) and their suitability for various project outcomes.

“We will also focus on key principles, roles, and risk profiles embedded in major standard contracts, the legal implications of contract administration including the role of the consultant and professional liability, and relevant case law and litigation examples that shape current industry practices.

“Obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and other statutory frameworks will also be covered.

“The course is structured around regular practice-informed lectures, each paired with participatory tutorials where students apply theory to case studies and workshop scenarios.

“We’ve developed a flexible learning model combining face-to-face and online methods, with a strong emphasis on collaborative learning and real-world application.”

Tell us about your professional experience

“I am currently the Managing Partner at Frequency, where I also lead our Contract Management and Disputes practice. “I am a recognised Engineer to Contract through the Engineering New Zealand Accredited Panel, with experience spanning over $250 million in construction works.

“My career has included roles as a commercial manager, disputes advisor, and independent peer reviewer on some of New Zealand’s most significant infrastructure projects, including the City Rail Link, Eastern Busway, and Puhoi to Warkworth Expressway.

“I regularly act as an expert witness in mediation and arbitration and advise clients navigating complex commercial challenges.

“My work has involved everything from procurement strategy and contract negotiation to dispute resolution and project recovery.

“I also serve on independent panels, such as Auckland Transport’s rail franchise procurement, where I provide external oversight and commercial assurance.”

What does the future look like for construction law?

“The future of construction law is increasingly shaped by complex project delivery models, sustainability mandates, and digital transformation. In Aotearoa New Zealand projects are increasingly growing in scale and complexity, so our legal frameworks must evolve to address collaborative contracting, risk allocation, and dispute resolution in more agile and transparent ways.

“We’re also seeing a rise in contractor insolvencies, supply chain volatility, and climate-related risks, which are driving demand for more robust legal mechanisms and proactive contract management. Therefore it’s important to integrate digital tools such as BIM and AI to gather diverse evidence and resolve disputes.

“In this changing landscape, construction law professionals will need to be not only legally astute but also commercially and technically literate. The ability to interpret contracts in the context of real-world project dynamics will be more critical than ever.”

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