Rachel Pachacz is an experienced front-end construction lawyer with experience in construction, infrastructure, energy and resources projects, where she acts for project owners, head contractors, major subcontractors and suppliers.
Rachel predominantly advises on the drafting, negotiation and administration of major and minor construction works contracts, goods and services agreements, consultancy agreements, equipment hire and supply contracts, and operations and maintenance contracts. Rachel has advised on projects across various sectors, including energy, mining, infrastructure (including transport), commercial real estate, hospitality and leisure.
Rachel also has experience in all forms of dispute resolution arising from construction projects, including high-value international arbitration, litigation, adjudication and mediation.
Rachel was the 2022 winner of the Law Council of Australia’s Tom Yuncken Australian Young Construction Lawyer Award.
Noncontentious
Advising on a concession agreement in relation to the design, build, operation, maintenance and financing of a deep-sea port in Europe.
Advising on a heads of terms and concession agreement in relation to the operation, management and development of an international airport in Africa.
Advising on a contract for the provision of engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of wellhead platforms and tie-ins in the Gulf of Thailand.
Advising on a construction contract for an integrated solar farm, green hydrogen facility and green ammonia facility in the Northern Territory.
Acting for a heavy mining equipment supplier in relation to various contracts for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of heavy equipment in mining and port infrastructure projects in Western Australia.
Acting for a camp accommodation supplier in relation to various design, supply, install and hire contracts for camp accommodation for mining projects in Western Australia.
Acting for a global financial services group in relation to various fit-out contracts for its offices in the Asia Pacific region.
Advising a mining company on a design and construct agreement for upgrade works at a copper-gold operation.
Drafting a suite of supply and works contracts for the upgrade of a lithium mine and processing facility at Kemerton, Western Australia.
Drafting and negotiating various construction and mining services contracts for the combined greenfield and brownfield development of a lithium mine and processing facility at Greenbushes, Western Australia.
Advising on an NEC4 engineering and construction contract for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory radio telescope project in Western Australia.
Drafting a template maintenance subcontract for an airport rail link (rail and tunnel) public transport infrastructure project in Western Australia.
Advising on various construction works contracts for a Western Australian university, including:
Preparing an early contractor involvement contract, an early works contract and a design and construct contract template for the development of a major student accommodation facility
Contracts for the design and construction of a major building extension project, including preparing the general conditions of contract utilising an amended AS 4902-2000 form of contract
Advising on a suite of contracts for a hotel project in Perth.
Advising on a waste management services contract for an international property development, investment and asset management company.
Contentious
Acting for a contractor in a multibillion-dollar international arbitration regarding claims arising out of an engineering, procurement and construction contract for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
Acting for a contractor in a multibillion-dollar international arbitration regarding claims arising out of a subcontract for the construction of a power plant on an LNG project.
Acting for a leading Tier 1 contractor engaged in adjudication under the security of payment legislation in Western Australia.