David Hastie Principal Solicitor

David is head of KHQ’s Construction & Infrastructure team and advises clients across the full project lifecycle, from front-end procurement and contract drafting, middle-end contract administration, through to back-end alternative dispute resolution and formal litigation and arbitration.

David works closely with private and public sector clients, with experience in small through to large-scale disputes, and a specialisation in the proper administration of the contract, which is critical to avoid disputes that invariably materialise at various stages of a project without it.

Professionally, David’s commercial approach to dispute avoidance and dispute resolution is what he prides himself on, with an impressive strike rate at settling project-level disputes before they crystalise contractually and snowball.

More specifically, David strategically advises in consideration of the following project-level issues:

  • defective works
  • delay and disruption
  • security of payment legislation and the statutory right to receive progress payments
  • commercial-level and without prejudice negotiation
  • the assessment of, and drafting of upstream and downstream claims, and
  • preparation of contract advice more broadly.

David’s key driver is the achievement of cost-effective strategies, often commercial and not legal, in order to allow the works to run to programme.

Outside the office, David is a proud dad of three and a lover of all things sport.

Recognition

David is recognised in the “Ones to Watch” category of The Best Lawyers™ in Australia for construction and infrastructure law, and real property law (2025).