Jonathan Stafford
PartnerJonathan’s practice focuses on advising clients in bidding for and delivering transport, energy and social infrastructure projects.
With over 20 years of experience in this field, Jonathan has developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by contractors, owners, developers and other stakeholders in major construction and infrastructure projects and is committed to delivering strategic and effective legal solutions that meet the unique needs of his clients.
Jonathan advises clients on a wide range of legal issues related to construction and infrastructure projects, including contract drafting and negotiation, project structuring, procurement, project management, risk assessment and regulatory compliance. His experience covers a broad range of sectors, including roads, rail, ports, energy, telecommunications, residential, retail, health and education, and across different contracting models, including PPPs, EPC, alliances, incentivised target cost and collaborative contracts and long-term maintenance contracts.
In addition to his legal expertise, Jonathan has a deep understanding of the construction industry itself, having spent considerable periods of time on secondment to clients in senior legal and commercial roles, and having worked closely with his clients' legal, commercial and technical teams. Jonathan's knowledge of the technical and practical aspects of infrastructure projects enables him to provide clients with practical and commercial advice that takes into account their goals and objectives.
EXPERIENCE
Rail and roads:
- Hyundai Rotem Company on its successful tender (as Rollingstock Subcontractor, in a joint venture with Downer) for the Queensland Government's AUD4.6 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program for the design and local manufacture of 65 new six-car trains for deployment on the South-East Queensland rail network.
- Webuild, CPB Contractors, China Construction Oceania and GS Engineering & Construction (together, as D&C Contractor JV) on their successful tender (as part of the Spark Consortium, with Capella and Ventia) for the Victorian Government's AUD16 billion North East Link PPP toll road project in Melbourne, the largest PPP project in Victoria to date.
- Hyundai Movex Co., Ltd on its successful tender, as design, supply and install contractor for the platform screen doors and mechanical gap filler package for the upgrade of the existing T3 Bankstown line, as part of the New South Wales Government's AUD20 billion Sydney Metro City & Southwest project.
- Downer on its tender (as equity participant, delivery contractor and maintenance contractor), as part of the Regional Futures consortium (together with CRRC Changchun and Plenary Origination) for the New South Wales Government’s AUD2.8 billion Regional Rail PPP project, for the design, manufacture and maintenance of 29 new regional and intercity trains for operation on the NSW regional rail network and between Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane.
- Downer on its successful tender for the NSW Government’s AUD2.5 billion Sydney Growth Trains project for design, manufacture, commissioning and maintenance of 41 new eight-car, double-decker trains for the Sydney rail network, plus on-going advice on the delivery, maintenance and upgrade of the rollingstock, including implementation of the European Train Control System on the fleet.
Energy, Ports and Utilities Infrastructure:
- Downer on its tender, as D&C Contractor (as part of the Plenary-led consortium, with Essential Energy), for the design and construction of the network infrastructure, including energy hubs and high-capacity transmission lines, for the NSW Government’s AUD3.2 billion Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWO REZ) PPP project, the first project of its kind to commence in New South Wales.
- Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited on its successful tender, as Delivery Contractor JV member (with Acciona and Genus), for the design and construction of 356 kilometres of new 500KV transmission lines and substations for Transgrid’s AUD3 billion HumeLink – East West project.
Social Infrastructure, residential and commercial developments:
- Ramsay Healthcare (as principal) on the development / upgrade of its private hospital and healthcare facilities.
- English
- University of Melbourne, Masters in Construction Law, 2012
- BPP Law School, London, Legal Practice Course, 1999
- The College of Law, Chester, Post-Graduate Diploma in Law, 1996
- Warwick University, BSc (Hons),1995
Awards
Best Lawyers (Australia)
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (2021-2024 ed)
- Construction / Infrastructure Law (2014-2024 ed)
Doyle’s Guide (New South Wales)
- Front End Construction & Infrastructure – Leading (2020)
IFLR1000 (Australia)
- Project Development, Energy – Rising star partner (2024-2025)
- Project Development, Construction and Materials, Energy & Transport – Notable Practitioner (2020)
Legal 500 (Australia)
- Construction (2020)
