Guy Abel

Guy Abel was admitted to the Roll of Legal Practitioners in 1984 and has built a diverse legal career spanning significant litigious and commercial matters. His extensive experience encompasses appearances across Magistrates, Supreme, and Federal Courts at both first instance and appellate levels, as well as involvement with planning tribunals. Throughout his career, Guy has been engaged in complex commercial developments involving planning, construction, acquisitions, and mergers. His work frequently requires detailed analysis of substantial budgets, projected yields, and potential sales. Over the past 15 years, he has served as In-House Counsel for private equity companies, guiding significant development, planning, and merger transactions while managing considerations of profitability and resale. Guy possesses comprehensive knowledge across various areas, including planning laws and procedures, the application of planning schemes to development projects, the National Construction Code (NCC), building classifications, and construction law. He is well-versed in Australian Standard construction contracts, construction programme management, site oversight, contract variations, and commercial leasing. His expertise extends to retail tenancies, property law, and sports law and administration. He brings strong negotiation skills in commercial acquisitions, sales, development, and mergers, alongside significant experience drafting complex documentation such as construction contracts and planning submissions. Guy has acted as an owner’s representative project manager on large-scale commercial construction projects, including developments for Bunnings Kingston, Macquarie Street Hotel, Elizabeth Street Hotel, and the Burnie Port. Guy has a proven track record in managing protection notices under the Building Act 2016 and in resolving disputes through arbitration and court litigation. His clientele includes Nekon Pty Ltd, the University of Tasmania, the City of Hobart, Spectran Civil Construction and Development, Cunic Homes Pty Ltd, and a range of private clients seeking advice on commercial and litigious matters. Highlights of his achievements include the successful negotiation and execution of multi-million-dollar shopping centre sales in Tasmania to mainland corporations, favourable resolution of disputes in hotel developments, management of key commercial projects, and facilitating significant mergers and investments in farming enterprises in Southern Tasmania. Guy holds an LLB from the University of Tasmania (1979–1983), completed the Legal Practice Course in 1984, and was admitted as a legal practitioner in November 1984. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and acts as an AFL player manager. Outside of his professional commitments, Guy volunteers as an AFL coach and enjoys golf, windsurfing, cricket, running, bike riding, and surfing.