21.1 Introduction

Collapses of buildings or structures invariably attract considerable public attention, particularly if death or injury results. Government response to significant failures often takes the form of a public inquiry such as a Royal Commission. The terms of reference of such a public inquiry typically includes not only determining the causes of the failure, but also recommendations on avoiding similar failures in the future. The reports of public inquiries are therefore much wider in scope than any report of the litigation between disputing parties involved in a failure, and form a valuable repository of lessons to be learned and guidance for improved practice in the future.