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Principal

Christopher Kerin

Christopher Kerin is a highly experienced strata lawyer with over 30 years’ practice, advising owners corporations across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, with a primary focus on the NSW strata sector. He began his career in leading commercial law firms acting for government, developers and contractors across major construction, infrastructure and resources projects, and brings his depth of experience to complex strata matters today.

Christopher is an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation (NSW) and has extensive experience across litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.

In 2009 Christopher began working in the strata sector for Andreones Legal, the first specialist strata law firm in NSW. In 2014 he established Kerin Benson Lawyers with Allison Benson. Christopher has become a trusted advisor to strata managers and owners corporations. He has delivered training to hundreds of strata professionals and has made submissions to both NSW and ACT Governments on strata law reform, reflecting his high-level engagement with the sector.

Christopher is a member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers and a recognised voice in the industry. He has appeared across major media platforms, including Four Corners, Today Tonight and Seven News, and has participated in numerous television and radio interviews on strata and building issues. He has also appeared before, and made submissions to, multiple ACT parliamentary inquiries into the building and strata sector.

At a boutique level, Christopher works closely with his clients, providing hands-on, responsive advice tailored to each matter. He is widely recognised in NSW for delivering consistent and high-quality legal solutions. Christopher also maintains a strong ACT practice. He is the author of the Kerin Benson Lawyers Guide to ACT Strata Law, which has been referenced in numerous ACAT decisions and is now in its second edition.

Outside of work, Christopher enjoys swimming, cycling and Zouk dancing.

 

Select Publications

  • Kerin & M. Haas ‘When building work is not iron clad’ (2023) (September) Law Society Journal
  • Kerin & N. James, ‘NSW Government sets residential developers in its sights’ (2020) (September) Law Society Journal
  • Kerin, ‘The Home Building Act: recent amendments explained (part two)’ (2015) (May) Law Society Journal
  • Kerin, ‘The Home Building Act: recent amendments explained (part one)’ (2015) (April) Law Society Journal
  • Kerin & J. Qian, ‘The High Court decides: when does a builder owe a subsequent owner a duty of care?’ (2014) (November) Law Society Journal
  • Kerin, ‘Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Amendment Act 2010 – Bringing Forward the Remedy’ (2011) (March/April) Australian Construction Law Newsletter
  • Kerin, ‘Service of Payment Claims under the Security of Payment Act: The Owners – Strata Plan No 56587 v Consolidated Quality Projects Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 1476’ (2010) (September/October) Australian Construction Law Newsletter
  • Kerin, ‘Who is entitled to the benefits of statutory warranties and insurance schemes? Ace Woollahra Pty Ltd v The Owners – Strata Plan No 61424 & Anor [2010] NSWCA 101’ (2010) (July/August) Australian Construction Law Newsletter
  • Kerin, ‘Questions of Jurisdiction – Advance Earthmovers Pty Ltd v Fubew [2009] NSWCA 337’ (2010) (January/February) Australian Construction Law Newsletter
  • Kerin, ‘Statutory warranties and privity of contract: The Owners – Strata Plan No 61424 & Anor v Reed Constructions Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 692’ (2009) (November/December) Australian Construction Law Newsletter
  • Kerin, ‘Risky Business: Rick management cruises into the 21st century’ (2008) (April) Building and Construction Law Journal
  • Kerin, ‘Vulnerability in pure economic loss and a statutory corporation’s capacity to sue – New South Wales v Bovis Lend Lease Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 1045’ (2008) (January) Australian Construction Law Bulletin
  • Kerin, ‘Reasonableness of Rectification – Westpoint Management Pty Ltd v Chocolate Factory Apartments Ltd [2007] NSWCA 253’ (2007) (November/December) Australian Construction Law Newsletter
  • Kerin, ‘Agreements to negotiate in good faith – Laing O’Rourke (BMC) Pty Ltd v Transport Infrastructure Development Corp [2007] NSWSC 723’ (2007) (October) Australian Construction Law Bulletin
  • Kerin, ‘Look before you issue – The perils of using statutory demands to enforce determinations under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act’ (2007) (September/October) Australian Construction Law Newsletter
  • Kerin, ‘Requirements of a valid payment claim under the Act – Fernandes Constructions Pty Ltd v Tahmoor Coal Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 381’ (2007) (August) Australian Construction Law Bulletin
  • Kerin, ‘Casenote – Downer Construction (Australia) Pty Ltd v Energy Australia & Ors [2007] NSWCA 49’ (2007) (July/August) Australian Construction Law Newsletter
  • Kerin, ‘Casenote – John Holland Pty Ltd v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales [2007] NSWCA 19’ (2007) (April) Australian Construction Law Bulletin
  • Kerin, ‘Cracks appearing in security of payment legislation’ (2007) (March) Construct – The Australian Institute of Building
  • Kerin, ‘Casenote – John Holland Pty Ltd v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales [2006] NSWSC 1202’ (2007) (January) Australian Construction Law Bulletin
  • Kerin, ‘Security of Payment – John Goss Projects Pty Ltd v Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd & Davenport [2006] NSWSC 798’ (2006) (September/October) Australian Construction Law Newsletter