22.1 Introduction

Collapses of buildings or structures almost inevitably generate disputes between the project participants. In addition, there is usually a substantial public interest dimension in such failures, particularly if death or injury results. Government response to significant failures is sometimes swift, and often takes the form of a public inquiry, sometimes a Royal Commission. The terms of reference of such public inquiries typically include determining the causes of the failure, and recommendations to avoid similar failures in the future. The reports of these inquiries are therefore much wider in scope than any report of the litigation between disputing parties involved in the failure and form a valuable repository of lessons to be learned and guidance for improved practice in the future.