About John
John Dela Cruz is the Founder and Principal Solicitor of Contracts Specialist, a prominent law firm dedicated to construction law services across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania. With over 17 years of focused experience in construction and building law, John brings unmatched expertise in handling construction contracts, building disputes, Security of Payment adjudications, and NCAT representation. As an Australian Legal Practitioner, he is admitted and practises in multiple jurisdictions, offering his clients invaluable insights into the complexities of construction disputes.
His legal career is marked by his tenure as a Divisional President of the Master Builders Association NSW, where he combined legal expertise with a deep understanding of the construction industry. John is actively involved in building dispute tribunals such as NCAT, VCAT, and QCAT, as well as courts across several jurisdictions. His practice is exclusively centred on construction disputes and building litigation, ensuring expert attention for homeowners, builders, or contractors embroiled in legal matters. Whether addressing defective work claims, defending builders, or assisting contractors in securing unpaid progress payments, John emphasises negotiation, mediation, and effective tribunal representation to achieve the best outcomes.
John also serves as the CEO and Founder of Small Builders, a leading software firm providing essential tools tailored for small builders and commercial contractors. The software reflects his wealth of experience, offering users access to big business resources backed by his legal acumen.
His legal journey includes significant roles such as Unrestricted Principal Lawyer with The Law Society of New South Wales, Legal Services Manager at United Technologies Corp., and as a Solicitor for the ACT Government. He holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from The Australian National University and a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce from the University of New England.
