The Society was pleased to have had Dr Sean Brady speak about Briefing Experts in Construction Disputes Involving Defects, on 15 March. Visiting from Brisbane where his firm Brady Heywood Pty Ltd is based, Dr Brady delivered a highly informative talk on the technical issues that arise in disputes concerning construction and engineering failures, to an audience of almost 60.

Drawing from his considerable experience as a forensic structural engineer, Dr Brady presented two case studies outlining the anatomy of disputes that typically arise in the aftermath of major structural failures, the way in which investigations tend to ensue, the critical importance of speed in gathering photographic, video and other evidence from the scene of a collapse before it is disturbed, the vivid picture that such evidence can paint about failure sequences, and why this is critical in attributing responsibility

Dr Brady also explored how a forensic engineer differs from a design engineer, not just in terms of skill sets, but also in the roles that each plays in a construction dispute.  Some time was spent on a very helpful discussion on the difference between issues of “causation”, which call for a forensic engineer, and issues of “design compliance”, which lend themselves much better to design engineers.  

The audience received practical advice on how parties (or their lawyers) should go about instructing their engineering experts, to ensure that they are approaching their brief in a manner that is independent, transparent, and forensically sound.

Click HERE to view event photos. 

Contributed by:

Toh Chen Han – Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP