Masterclass 2016: Legal Aspects of Geotechnical Engineering Practice

Experience, Thoughts, Concepts and Ideas

Tim Sullivan

The 2016 AGS QLD Masterclass, while dealing with legal concepts, is presented from the perspective of an engineering practitioner and not a lawyer. The topics covered are focused on the practising geotechnical professional; and are drawn from the experience, thoughts, concepts and ideas gained by the Presenter from more than four decades within the geotechnical industry.

Tim Sullivan’s 40+ years of experience covers extensive involvement in litigations, arbitrations, expert conclaves, inquiries and tribunals. Presented information relates to his involvement not only in expert witness roles but having acted as a Mining Warden (with the powers of a judge) and in assisting the Coroner in a Coronial Inquiry.

The Masterclass is built around four major case studies and topics covered include:

• The role of the expert witness;
• Forensic engineering and the geological or geotechnical model;
• Liability, negligence and risk issues; and
• Latent conditions and construction.
• Also highlighted from the case studies are the human factors and how they can adversely influence our thinking.

Associated AGS Evening Presentation

Tim Sullivan will be the presenter at the monthly QLD AGS evening event on the following night (Thursday, 12 May 2016) at the Treasury Hotel. The presentation will contain related, but slightly different, content to that presented in the Masterclass event. The announcement of the evening technical presentation event will be issued in the coming weeks.

Engineers Australia members participating in AGS technical sessions can record attendance on their personal CPD logs. Members should refer to Engineers Australia CPD policy for details on CPD types, requirements and auditing guidelines.