STELLARIS LAW · BENEFITS
What a construction-focused practice offers that a general firm cannot
Specialisation in one area of law means the advice is better calibrated — to the contract form, the statutory framework, and the practical realities of the construction industry.
Back to HomeSECTION 01 — CORE ADVANTAGES
Six reasons parties choose Stellaris Law
Construction-Only Practice
The team works exclusively in construction law. Every working day involves contract forms, CIPAA procedure, and construction dispute mechanics. That concentrated exposure produces sharper advice than a mixed practice can offer.
Sabah Regional Presence
The firm is based in Kota Kinabalu, not a Peninsular outpost. The team understands the procurement landscape in Sabah — government projects, JKR, infrastructure contracts — and is accessible without adding travel time to every consultation.
Defined, Transparent Fees
Three engagement levels with clear starting fees — RM 750, RM 1,800, and RM 2,250. Every engagement letter defines the scope before work begins. There are no hidden charges and scope changes are documented in writing.
CIPAA-Structured Preparation
Claims and responses are prepared with the adjudication framework in view from the start. This avoids the common problem of having to restructure a poorly prepared claim when escalation becomes necessary — saving time and cost at a critical stage.
Advice Written for Project Teams
Advisory notes and correspondence are drafted for the people running projects, not only for legal files. Recommendations and positions are stated plainly. This reduces the risk of misunderstanding in the field.
Settlement Orientation
Dispute resolution options are kept active throughout every matter and revisited at meaningful stages. Construction disputes are commercial matters — a workable negotiated outcome is almost always preferable to the cost and delay of proceedings taken to their conclusion.
SECTION 02 — IN DEPTH
A closer look at each advantage
Deep familiarity with Malaysian construction contracts and disputes
The team has worked across the standard forms used in Malaysia — PAM 2006, PAM 2018, CIDB 2000, PWD 203A, JKR forms, and bespoke contracts drafted by major employers and developers. That familiarity means the review process goes beyond a checklist: the team identifies clauses that are unusual, potentially onerous, or that diverge from industry practice in ways that matter.
- PAM, CIDB, PWD, JKR standard forms
- Bespoke and hybrid contract structures
- Subcontract and nominated subcontract forms
Structured approach from first instruction to final outcome
Each engagement follows a defined structure: review of the contract framework and project record, honest appraisal of the position, written advisory note, correspondence, and escalation if required. Scope and fees are agreed before work begins. The structure ensures the work is proportionate to the matter at each stage.
- Engagement letter before any billable work
- Written scope and re-evaluation points
- Matter updates at each meaningful stage
Accessible and responsive communication
Construction disputes operate on tight timelines — certification windows, notice periods, and adjudication timetables do not extend for delays in legal correspondence. The firm responds to enquiries within one working day and to urgent adjudication deadlines the same day. Clients speak to the team handling their matter, not to support staff.
- One working day response to all enquiries
- Same-day response for adjudication deadlines
- Direct access to the responsible practitioner
Fees proportionate to the stage of the matter
The three engagement levels allow parties to access legal support at the stage that makes sense for them — a pre-project review for RM 750, an active payment dispute engagement for RM 1,800, or a full dispute programme for RM 2,250. The fees reflect the scope of each level, and scope can be discussed before committing. There is no charge for an initial call.
- Three clearly priced engagement levels (RM)
- No charge for an initial introductory call
- Scope documented before any fee commitment
Outcome-focused from the first conversation
The work is directed toward a defined outcome at each stage — a reviewed contract, a prepared claim, a resolved dispute. The team does not prolong matters or escalate when negotiation remains viable. Settlement options are kept active and revisited, and the advice at each stage reflects an honest assessment of the position rather than an optimistic framing.
- Honest strength-of-position appraisals
- Settlement options kept active throughout
- Re-evaluation points built into larger matters
SECTION 03 — COMPARISON
How a specialist compares to a general practice
| Feature | General Practice | Stellaris Law |
|---|---|---|
| PAM / CIDB / PWD contract knowledge | ||
| CIPAA adjudication support from claim stage | ||
| Fixed scope engagement letters | ||
| Advice readable by project teams (not only lawyers) | ||
| Kota Kinabalu–based (no KL travel overhead) | ||
| Transparent starting fee published in advance | ||
| Direct access to practitioner handling the matter |
SECTION 04 — DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
What sets the practice apart
Project manager advisory notes as standard
Where the contract review engagement serves a client with a project manager or procurement team, the firm prepares short reference notes alongside the full advisory so the operational team works from the same understanding of the contractual position. This is not standard in general legal practice.
Claim preparation built for adjudication from the outset
Payment and delay claims at Stellaris Law are structured with the CIPAA framework in view from the first draft — not retrofitted if the matter escalates. This structural difference means claims are better positioned from the moment they are served.
Sabah procurement familiarity
The firm's base in Kota Kinabalu means the team is familiar with procurement structures specific to Sabah — JKR Sabah, SEDIA, and government-linked construction contracts. That working knowledge is part of the advice, not an added overhead to explain separately.
Re-evaluation built into complex matters
In the dispute and adjudication programme, engagement letters set defined re-evaluation points at which the matter's scope and economics are reviewed with the client. The firm does not allow matters to run indefinitely on an open brief.
SECTION 05 — CREDENTIALS
Practice milestones and recognitions
120+
Contracts Reviewed
RM 48M
Claims Supported
34
Adjudications Conducted
8+
Years in Practice
Malaysian Bar Member
All practitioners are members in good standing of the Malaysian Bar, governed by the Legal Profession Act 1976.
Sabah Law Society
The firm's practitioners hold membership of the Sabah Law Society and are admitted to practise in Sabah.
CIPAA Adjudication Practitioners
The team has completed formal training in CIPAA adjudication procedure and maintains current knowledge through CPD programmes.
Ready to discuss your construction matter?
The team is available for an initial conversation with no obligation. Use the contact form or call directly.
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