Duncan Campbell

Partner, Building and Construction

Sydney

Duncan is a recognised leader in strata law, with expertise in building and construction and insurance matters

Duncan Campbell is a seasoned strata legal professional with deep expertise in strata building and construction, building defects litigation, contract review and advice, insurance matters, Home Warranty Insurance, and Professional Indemnity claims. With more than 38 years of experience, Duncan has built a strong reputation for delivering practical, strategic, and commercially focused legal solutions. He excels in navigating complex building and construction disputes, advising on contractual arrangements and risk management, and resolving insurance-related matters, including Home Warranty and Professional Indemnity claims. Duncan is highly regarded for securing timely, effective and commercially sound outcomes for clients through skilled negotiation, dispute resolution and litigation expertise.

With 14 years’ experience leading a Building and Construction practice, Duncan’s knowledge spans NSW and all Australian jurisdictions.

Areas of Expertise

Building and Construction Litigation (including Building Defects)
Strata Litigation
Insurance Law (Home Owner’s Warranty and Professional Indemnity)
Contracts review
Advice work

Notable Experience

Duncan brings significant experience in complex building defect litigation, acting in high‑stakes matters for insurers and owners corporations across Australia. He has consistently secured strong outcomes in multi‑million dollar disputes across prominent Sydney developments, including:

Successful Court of Appeal Outcomes on Latent Defects and Prior Knowledge—In leading Court of Appeal matters such as Taylor v Dexta and Waterbrook v Allianz, Duncan represented NSW Home Warranty insurers and successfully overturned a Supreme Court decision concerning an owner’s prior knowledge of latent defects in a south coast retirement village.
Multi‑Million Dollar Defect Claim and Cladding Remediation Success—In a significant building defects dispute, Duncan advised three owners corporations pursuing claims against the builder and developers of the former Camperdown Children’s Hospital site, resulting in recovery of damages for defect rectification and aluminium cladding replacement.
Extensive Supreme Court Experience in Large‑Scale Defects and Cladding Claims—Across numerous high‑value proceedings, Duncan has represented owners corporations in multi‑million dollar Supreme Court claims involving building defect rectification and cladding replacement, including developments in Rhodes, Mascot, Neutral Bay and North Sydney.

Professional and Industry Affiliations:

Law Society of NSW
Member of the Strata Community Association (NSW)
Regular presenter of training seminars to NSW strata managers

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Back to our people

“Strata Choice has been working with Grace Lawyers for over 15 years and have found them to be reliable, trustworthy and their customer service is exceptional.”

Daniel LindersGroup Managing Director, Strata Choice

“Grace Lawyers’ point of difference is this uncanny ability to make the complex, simple. Their team have always been approachable, friendly and available, and I have always felt more comfortable and confident after speaking with them about a problem a body corporate is having.”

Stephanie YunStrata Mastery

“Our owners corporation engaged Grace Lawyers to assist us in our legal claim. We worked with Paul Berrill who managed our day to day issues and helped us through the complex legal problems we were facing. We found both Paul and Colin Grace to absolute professionals, they never promised what they could not deliver.”

Margo DelaneySEC OC

“Over the years I have been exposed to quite a bit of legal argument…the submission prepared by Grace Lawyers stands out as a work of excellence, best summed up by a couple of words: great clarity.”

Rob RoaterGlengarry Private Courts

“From the first contact with Grace Lawyers, and throughout the entire process in QCAT, I felt comfortable, confident and supported.”

Harry ClarkSmith & Sons

“Client contact and knowledge of their speciality (Strata): Exceptional. A sense of urgency with willingness and patience to explain complicated legal concepts: Excellent.”

Peter HughesSouthlakes at Varsity

“My experience with Grace Lawyers has been a very positive one, the most important factor being the direct availability of our lawyer and the firm in general when it was required.”

Simon FootnerCairns Golden Sands

“As we are constantly reminded: ‘There’s no certainty in litigation’. But we also know there is certainty in surrounding ourselves with good people.”

Steve ReidArila Lodge

“We have been dealing with Grace Lawyers in particular Colin Grace and Daniel Radman since 2005 and have found them to be professional, honest and transparent.”

Leo PaternosterDirector Integrity Strata Wollongong & Nowra

“They are a leader in the strata industry, and I would recommend them to anyone requiring legal assistance.”

Lauren ClarkSenior Strata Manager Accredited Strata Community Manager

“Colin, Daniel and the team at Grace Lawyers have provided a great service for me and many others in our office ever since they started around 14 years ago.”

Rex CumminsRetired Director & Strata Manager

“Daniel and the team at Grace Lawyers always deliver a high level of service and professionalism which has delivered outcomes for us in a timely and effective manner. Having worked with Daniel for over 10 years on many diverse and challenging strata related disputes, I have always found the breadth of experience and skill to be the highest standard. I have no hesitation in recommending Daniel and the team at Grace.”

Andrew ScottPartner, PricewaterhouseCoopers

“After a year of unresolved issues with our caretaker who refused to negotiate, we turned to Grace Lawyers. Brendan guided us through the process, clearly outlining steps, timelines, and costs. Though some parts were frustrating, Brendan and his team provided thorough explanations. Ultimately, their methodical approach led to the successful termination of the caretaking agreement, allowing us to restore the building’s value and our lifestyles.”

Rodney ApplebyRainbow Vue

“Jarad’s service, advice and professionalism is outstanding. Jarad has enabled us to focus on the day-to-day operations of bodies corporate and we know that we can rely on him to assist with the more diverse and complicated issues that confront us on a regular basis. With legislation constantly changing, it is difficult to keep up and you need someone you can rely upon. If you are looking for an energetic and professional person, reliable communication, and precise and solid advice, you can’t go past Jarad.”

Michael YoungRetired General Manager, AM Strata

“As a Body Corporate committee, we encountered significant challenges with the caretaking of our building by the onsite caretaker, where tasks were either left incomplete or not properly maintained. From the outset, Brendan and the team at Grace Lawyers provided us with exceptional, professional service. Their expertise covered everything from arranging mediation and drafting a letter of improvement, to reviewing a motion by the caretaker to extend the variation deed of engagement and even issuing a RAN (Remedial Action Notice). Brendan and his team were with us every step of the way and we wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to them again.”

Jamie ParkerChairperson, Body Corporate for Allamanda Heights

“On behalf of the entire committee, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for your hard work and dedication in resolving this matter. We are grateful for the long hours you have committed, including your time on weekends, to ensure everything was completed. Thank you again for your exceptional efforts.”

GeorgeStrata Committee Member

“Thank you so much for the urgent evidence and submissions you prepared to meet NCAT’s deadline and for all your help on it. You have made my life so much easier!”

StephanieStrata Manager

“The training sessions with Grace this year have been incredibly valuable, adding something extra to how we work in the strata world. Thank you, Leila, for your professionalism, warmth and the effort you’ve put in—it’s made a real difference.”

Dona TotawatteNational Training & Development Coordinator, Whittles

“Nathan Gohari and the team at Grace Lawyers have consistently demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and support in managing debt recovery matters and achieving successful outcomes on behalf of the Owners Corporation. Nathan has provided valuable assistance, sound advice, and prompt responsiveness throughout the entire process.

We would highly recommend their services.”

Ella MarsdenStrata and Community Manager, Beaumont Strata Management

“Starr Partners Strata Management has worked closely with Grace Lawyers for many years, and throughout that time we have consistently found their team to be highly professional, knowledgeable and genuinely committed to supporting the strata industry.

Over the years, we have developed a fantastic working relationship with a number of the firm’s practitioners, including Colin Grace, Daniel Radman, Anna Hahm, Jessica Bates and Duncan Campbell. Each of them has been approachable, accommodating and exceptionally generous with their time and expertise. They have always been willing to assist whenever guidance is required and have become trusted resources for both myself and our team.”

Michael StarrDirector, Starr Partners