BSA surgery: ask a legal expert

Helen Collie is a chartered structural engineer and a Partner at global dispute resolution consultancy, HKA. With experience ranging from design and coordination of arts, education, healthcare and commercial structures, Helen transitioned over the last few years to become a specialist in forensic engineering work. Her experience includes insurance-based property loss consulting, cause and origin reporting, and forensic investigations for disputes including litigation support, more recently as an expert witness herself. She has produced reports either assisting or as named expert in issues of disputed design liability, coordination issues, materials/specifications defects, alleged poor workmanship, and construction defects. Helen now leads the building structures group at HKA.

Joanna is a Senior Associate in the Environment and Safety team at Ashurst and a member of Ashurst's Projects and Energy Transition and Real Estate practice. Joanna advises clients in the real estate, energy, waste and infrastructure sectors on a wide range of transactional, advisory and contentious matters. Joanna has a particular interest in fire safety at the planning and occupational stages of a development and regularly provides training to clients in this area. Joanna has both organised and spoken at events addressing the challenges of the Circular Economy Package, climate change and the energy transition. Joanna is an active member of the UK Environmental Law Association and the UK Health and Safety Lawyers' Association.

Sadia is Head of Client Solutions for the Construction team at Ashurst and an expertise counsel. Sadia specialises in non-contentious construction law, acting for developers and contractors in the drafting and negotiation of all forms of construction documentation and advising them on regulatory matters, including building safety. In addition to providing strategic advice, Sadia's role involves ensuring the team's clients have access to Ashurst's award-winning 'New Law' offering that encompasses technology, data tools and project management. Sadia is also part of Ashurst's ESG team and partners with our construction clients to help them meet their sustainability goals and commitments. Sadia is Vice-Chair of the BPF Construction Committee and a member of the ULI UK Sustainable Development Council.

Patrick Hayes is Technical Director at the IStructE and leads the technical and engineering policy development of the Institution working closely with the Institution’s Members. Patrick leads the Institution’s Building Safety Act initiative, which involves assessing the needs of members to meet the requirements of The Act and working with other PEI’s to produce guidance.

Patrick has been an engineer since 1988 and chartered since 1993 and has designed structures in both the UK and overseas, with experience covering schools, universities, laboratories, commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.