EWJ 60 April 2025 web - Journal - Page 82
where the ground conditions are not as stated. This is
particularly so where:
l there is little evidence of reliance on the
investigation report; and
l the desktop analysis precedes intrusive
investigations.
l If the line between negligent and non-negligent
advice rests upon failure to include a single sentence
warning of possible risks, the court is less likely to find
a causal link between negligent advice and loss
suffered.
Ms Sarah Bagnall
Materials Engineer Specialising
in Materials Failure Analysis
First-class degree in Forensic Engineering and a Master’s in Steel Technology
Ms Sarah Bagnall is a Materials engineer specialising in materials failure analysis
particularly for the petrochemical, process and power generation industries.
She is currently the Director of the Consultancy Services at R-TECH Materials,
based in Port Talbot, South Wales.
Sarah has broad experience with a wide range of engineering components,
metallic and non-metallic materials, and industries. She has conducted over 700
l Evidence suggesting that key personnel “skim-read”
a report may indicate a lack of reliance on that report.
failure investigations covering both metals and polymer and composite materials.
Sarah also has specialist expertise in the thermal degradation of austenitic steels.
In addition to failure analysis, her role also includes product development
l For a claimant to recover loss in respect of negligent
advice in a report, there must be evidence that the
claimant relied on the report and would have acted
differently had the report been non-negligent.
support, liability concerns and general material quality issues. Sarah has
experience in a wide range of metallic materials including carbon and stainless
steels, copper-based alloys, nickel-based alloys, titanium, aluminium, and
tantalum. Sarah also has experience in polymer and composite materials and
recently acted as an expert witness for the failure investigation of GRP water
tank panels.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how
our specialist team can help you, please get in touch
with Iain Drummond, Alejandro Coghill, or your
usual Shepherd and Wedderburn contact.
Sarah has experience and expertise in undertaking expert witness cases, holding
the Cardiff University Bond Solon Expert Witness Civil Certificate (2022) and
serves as the Chair of the Wales & South West England branch for the Institute of
Corrosion. She also sits on the board of the British Stainless Steel Association. She
has published papers in 2014 and 2017.
Author(s):
Iain Drummond
Alejandro Coghill
This article was co-authored by Trainee Valentin
Pyataev.
Contact: R-TECH Materials
Tel: 01656 748 006
Email: sarah.bagnall@r-techmaterials.com
Alternate Email: info@r-techmaterials.com
R-TECH Materials, Testing House, Kenfig Industrial Estate
MARGAM, Neath Port, SA13 2PE
Area of work: Nationwide and International
www.shepwedd.com
Mr James A Moore
Consultant Urological Surgeon and Accredited Expert Witness
MB BCh, MRCS, MD, LLM, FRCS(Urol)
Mr George Fowlis
Mr James Moore has been a full time Consultant Urologist for East Sussex Healthcare NHS
Consultant Urological Surgeon
accredited specialist in urology and is on the specialist register in urological surgery with the
Trust since 2008. His subspecialty interest is Functional and Reconstructive urology. He is a fully
General Medical Council.
BSc (Yale), FRCS (Eng), MD, FRCS (Urol), FEBU
Mr Moore has particular expertise in the following areas:
Medicolegal expert witness on a wide range of urological
conditions (80% claimant, 20% defendant).
Clinical negligence expert (60% plaintiff, 40% defendant).
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Complications arising from the use of mesh in the vagina e.g.TVT/TOT.
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Appointments within 1 to 2 weeks of instruction and reports
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within 2 to 4 weeks of receiving all relevant information.
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Urinary tract infection.
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Terms and conditions and payment rates available on instruction.
Sample report may be requested.
Contact: Ms Louise Benka-Davies (secretary)
Mr Moore has been involved in medicolegal practice for over a decade and is on the GMC’s
panel of expert witnesses and provides opinion for fitness to practice investigations. He is both
Telephone: 07984 735132
an accredited expert for AVMA and holds Cardiff University Expert Witness Accreditation.
Email: fowlisurology@gmail.com
Mr Moore has a Master’s degree in Medical Law and Ethics and was awarded LLM with
distinction in 2024..
Address:
Contact Details
23 Lingfield Way, Nascot Wood, Watford, WD17 4UW
Tel: 01323 406155
Area of work: Greater London
Email: juliet@urologylaw.co.uk - Website: www.urologylaw.co.uk
Correspondence Address: 35 Carlton Road, Seaford, E Sussex, BN25 2LS
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
80
APRIL 2025
