A SEMINAR BY 4 PUMP COURT with BURGOYNES PROVING THE ...

A SEMINAR BY 4 PUMP COURT
with BURGOYNES
PROVING THE CAUSE OF FIRE
FORENSIC INVESTIGATION
INSURANCE AGAINST LOSS BY FIRE – RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
29 JUNE 2009
IN THE PARLIAMENT CHAMBER, INNER TEMPLE
5.30pm to 7.00pm followed by drinks and canapés
In many major fire losses much of the potentially relevant evidence as to the
cause of the fire has been destroyed. Proving the cause of the fire will depend
on drawing inferences from limited physical evidence. This seminar addresses
the legal and technical difficulties that arise in practice, and concludes with a
review of recent developments in insurance law related to fire claims.
Chair
Speakers
Nick Vineall QC
Michael Davie and Alex Charlton QC
4 Pump Court 4 Pump Court
Neil Sanders PhD
Burgoynes

5.30 Introduction
Nick Vineall QC, 4 Pump Court
5.40 Proving the cause of fire
Michael Davie, 4 Pump Court
can the fire speak for itself
the Sherlock Holmes approach to
causation
circumstances where a robust
approach to causation may be taken
the use of inference where positive or
scientific proof is not enough
6.00 Forensic analysis of the cause of fire
Neil Sanders, Burgoynes
fire investigation overview and
techniques
arson ‐ tell tale signs
causes ‐ electrical, smoking, hot work,
extraction ducts, chimney fires,
pyrolysis, with case examples
how to get a good forensic report
case example ‐ Cutty Sark fire
6.30 Recent development in insurance for fire
losses
Alex Charlton QC, 4 Pump Court
waste warranties
hot work warranties
proving breach
non‐disclosure
4 Pump Court is a leading set of barristers chambers
specialising in commercial and construction work and many
members of chambers have experience of liability,
quantum and insurance policy disputes arising from fire
claims and other catastrophic losses.
Burgoynes is a pre‐eminent practice of consulting
scientists and engineers specialising in the forensic
investigation of fires, explosions, engineering failures and
other incidents. The practice celebrated its 40th
Anniversary in 2008.
Nick Vineall QC was instructed on the recent Esporta
sports centre sauna fire claim. He acted for the successful
defendant insurers in the waste warranty fire claim Soho
Pizzeria v Axa Insurance.
Michael Davie was instructed by the successful
Claimant and subrogated insurers at first instance and in
the Court of Appeal in Drake v Harbour and White, a fire
claim raising causation issues. He has acted for Claimants
and Defendant insurers in a number of fire cases.
Neil Sanders PhD is a chemical engineer specialising in
fires and explosions. He has investigated over 850
incidents, all over the world, mostly involving fire and
explosions on land and ships. He is a regular lecturer on fire
investigations.
Alex Charlton QC has fought fire cases relating to
nightclubs, restaurants, homes, factories and business
premises, including the Waterloo Station Burger King fire.
Such cases have raised the whole range of insurance issues
from reinstatement to construction, from fraud to breach
of warranty.
6.50 Discussion and questions
7.00 Drinks and canapés
WHO SHOULD ATTEND/CPD
The seminar will be useful for all solicitors, insurers,
underwriters and loss adjusters dealing with fire
claims.
The seminar carries one hour CPD accredited by the
Law Society, CII and CILA.
VENUE
Parliament Chamber, Inner Temple,
London, EC4Y 7HL
(5 minutes from Temple underground station)
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE
Please contact either
This event has been accredited
by the CII and can be included as
part of your CII CPD requirement
should you consider it relevant
to your professional
development needs
4 Pump Court: rsvp@4pumpcourt.com
or 0207 842 5555
Burgoynes: sally.vong@burgoynes.com
or 020 7726 4951