SEQ Property & Development Lawyers
The legal team behind your first development, and every one after.
Stepping up from investing into your first townhouse or unit project is a different game. MDL's Brisbane property and construction lawyers guide South East Queensland developers from site acquisition to final settlement, so a contract clause or a DA condition never costs you the project.
Years across South East QLD
Offices: Brisbane, Cleveland, Sunshine Coast
Locally owned firm
Who we work with
Built for developers who are levelling up.
Whether it's your first real project or your tenth, the risk scales with the ambition. Here's where we come in.
Your first real project
You've done a subdivision or a reno, and now you're taking on a townhouse or small unit development. Suddenly there are DA conditions, community title schemes and off-the-plan contracts. We keep you out of the traps first-timers don't see coming.
You've outgrown your conveyancer
A standard property lawyer is fine for a house purchase. A multi-lot development needs someone who lives in planning law, construction contracts and staged settlements. Work directly with a specialist, not a generalist.
You're scaling your portfolio
More projects, more entities, more moving parts. You need a legal team that keeps pace, structures deals to protect your position and turns matters around when a settlement date won’t wait.
Where projects go wrong
You shouldn't learn development law the hard way.
One missed clause or planning condition can wipe out a project's margin, or the project. These are the pressure points we handle for you, so you can focus on delivering the build.
Get ahead of the riskSite acquisition
Due diligence, special conditions, finance and settlement terms that protect you before you commit.
DA & planning conditions
Understanding what a development approval actually commits you to, and what it doesn't.
Off-the-plan contracts
Sunset clauses, disclosure and buyer contracts drafted to sell fast and hold up later.
Community title / BUP
Setting up the body corporate, CMS and by-laws for a townhouse or unit scheme correctly, once.
Builder contracts & BCIPA
Contract review and security-of-payment claims so a dispute doesn't stall your site.
Structure & GST
Entity, JV and margin-scheme structuring set up before the deal, not scrambled after.
How we work with you
The lawyer you meet is the lawyer who handles your matter.
No juniors, no handballing. A specialist who knows your project, start to finish.
Initial consult
Tell us about the site and the plan. We flag the risks and map what your matter needs, in plain English.
A clear scope & fee
You get a defined scope and an upfront fee estimate before we start. No surprises on the invoice.
We handle the legals
Contracts, DA, titling, structuring and disputes, managed directly by your lawyer as the project moves.
Ready for the next one
We keep your structure and documents in shape so your second, third and fourth projects move faster.
What we cover
End-to-end legal cover for property development.
One firm across the whole project, so nothing falls between your conveyancer, your accountant and your builder.
A Site acquisition & due diligence
Contract review, special conditions, easements, encumbrances and finance terms.
B Planning & development approvals
Advice on DA conditions, planning obligations and infrastructure agreements.
C Community title schemes
CMS, by-laws and body corporate set-up for townhouse and unit developments.
D Off-the-plan sales
Buyer contracts, disclosure statements and sunset-clause management.
E Building & construction contracts
Reviewing and negotiating builder and consultant agreements before you sign.
F BCIPA & construction disputes
Security-of-payment claims, adjudication and dispute resolution to keep the job moving.
G Structuring, GST & tax
Entities, joint ventures and margin-scheme structuring for the deal and the exit.
H Settlements & titling
Staged settlements, subdivision and titling handled to schedule.
I Ongoing counsel as you scale
A standing legal team for developers running multiple projects at once.
Why developers choose MDL
A local firm that's seen SEQ development through every cycle.
Locally owned and principal-led. We specialise by field instead of spreading thin, so your development matter sits with a lawyer who does this work every week, not a generalist learning on your project.
Years across South East QLD
Offices: Brisbane, Cleveland, Sunshine Coast
Locally owned firm
What our property & development clients say.
Real reviews from developers, builders and property clients we've acted for across South East Queensland.
"John and Michelle supported us with a very serious situation with regards to our renovation. They were measured, cautious, with their advice. Additionally they were able to engage great specialists for reports that we hope will help support our situation."
"My husband and I are very grateful for the thoroughness and attention to detail provided by Michelle at MDL for our building contract. She really went above and beyond and took the time to explain. We'd highly recommend this firm."
"Referred to McCarthy Durie by the Master Builders to help with some legal matters for our construction business, they acted quickly and followed up with the proposed next steps before it even crossed my mind and we got the result we wanted. Would highly recommend them to others."
"I can't thank Maxi-Lee enough for her careful consideration, professionalism and assistance in selling our commercial property. Smooth transaction and delightful to deal with. She made this process a pleasure. Looking forward to recommending her and McCarthy Durie Lawyers."
"MDL have helped me through a number of property transactions. All of which have been seamless"
"Thank you so much Maxi-Lee for your help with our sale. Great communication and very easy to work with. I would highly recommended Maxi-Lee for any commercial transactions."
Common questions
What first-time developers ask us.
Do I need a lawyer before I buy the site?
Ideally, yes. The best time to involve us is before you sign the contract, so we can build in the due diligence period, finance and special conditions you need. If you’re already under contract, talk to us straight away, some rights are time-sensitive.
I've only done house purchases before. Can you help me step up?
That's exactly who this is for. We walk first-time developers through the parts that don't exist in a normal purchase: DA conditions, community title, off-the-plan sales and construction contracts, in plain English, without assuming you already know the jargon.
Can you review my builder's contract?
Yes. We review and negotiate building and construction contracts before you sign, and if a payment or variation dispute arises mid-build, we handle BCIPA security-of-payment claims and adjudication to keep the job moving.
Which parts of South East Queensland do you cover?
All of it. We have offices in Brisbane CBD, Cleveland (Redlands) and on the Sunshine Coast, and act for developers across Greater Brisbane, the Bay, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
What does it cost to get started?
The initial consult is obligation-free. Before any work begins, you get a defined scope and an upfront fee estimate, so you know what you’re spending before you commit.
Online Enquiry
Talk to a development lawyer
Tell us where your project is up to. One of our property and development lawyers will review your enquiry and get back to you, typically within one business day.
Ready when you are
Get the legal team behind your development.
Book an obligation-free consult with MDL's property and development lawyers, or call us now.