A Legal Framework for the Blockchain and Smart Contracts Based Procurement for the Construction Industry

PhD Candidate: Ms Seva Watts

Supervisory Panel

Abstract

More industries are increasingly using blockchain technology and smart contracts in their business activities because of its attractive characteristics. However, the construction industry is generally considered to be slow in the implementation of blockchain technology and smart contracts. How the legal system globally is responding to these rapid changes that blockchain brings is a question that needs to be addressed. Although some industries have already started to introduce some reforms in order to give blockchain some legal status this is not the case in the construction industry. There are still a number of unanswered questions and gaps in the research from the legal perspective to give certainty and legal protection to the construction industry in order to use blockchain technology and smart contracts in their procurement activities. Accordingly, it is important to understand why and how the legal system should be reformed and how to address the legal challenges in order to facilitate further digitalisation of construction procurement by implementing blockchain technology and smart contracts. The aim of the research is to develop a legal framework for the blockchain and smart contracts based procurement for the construction industry.

Sources of Funding

Australian Government

Biography

Seva Watts is a PhD student at the Western Sydney University. Her research focuses on the development of a legal framework for blockchain and smart contracts based procurement for the construction industry. She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business from the University of Tasmania. Her strengths are in the areas of construction law, procurement, blockchain technology and smart contracts.

Education

• Master of Laws, University of Melbourne, School of Law
• Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Laws, University of Tasmania

Professional Affiliations

• CIB Student Chapter, Western Sydney University

Research Interests

• Construction law
• Project management
• Procurement
• Blockchain technology and smart contracts

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