Solicitors

Please call us when you require an Electrical Expert. 

My name is Barry Kelly. I am a European Electrical Engineer registered with the European Federation of National Engineering Associations (FEANI) and a Chartered Electrical Engineer (C.Eng). I am also a fully qualified, time-served electrician, with over 30 years’ experience in the electrical contracting industry.

In June 2003, I graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours - LL.B (Hons).  I am registered with the UK Register of Expert Witnesses

ELECTRICAL EXPERT - CHARTERED ELECTRICAL ENGINEER:

B M Kelly and Associates Ltd offer tailor made Electrical Engineering options and aim to deliver a customer focussed service that is effective and appropriate. Our instructions from solicitors and examples of work include: 

• Criminal and Civil Cases
• Single Joint Expert
• Cases involving Insurance Companies/Loss Adjusters
• Cases involving House Fires – Cannabis Grows – Electrocution/Death/Shocks – Quality of Installations – Loss of power – Competency of operatives…
• Expert Witness Appearance – BBC Rogue Traders  

ELECTRICAL DESIGN CONSULTANCY:

We are instructed to undertake electrical design projects of varying complexity, and find this enables us to retain our technical prowess and ensure that we remain current and up to date with the ongoing changeswithin the electrical construction industry.We feel that this, in-turn, ensures the best and most accurate opinions when receiving instruction from solicitors/barristers.

Our instructions and expertise covers electrical projects in the domestic, commercial and industrial areas of the electrical installation industries.

Third party testimonial for B M Kelly:

• I have known Barry Kelly for approximately five years, initially in relation to his acting as an electrical expert witness by an owner of an apartment following concerns raised regarding the quality/condition of the electrical installation. I acted for the owner in Arbitration proceedings.
• The site in Nottingham, was in a block of exclusive apartments.
•  Mr Kelly was instructed to produce an expert report to ascertain whether or not the electrical installation satisfied the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations and the requirements contained within BS7671 (Requirements for Electrical Installation, Wiring Regulations) and to attend a joint meeting of experts.
• The case resulted in a full refurbishment being undertaken at the property.
• Mr Kelly’s report succinctly set out the installation’s findings and he was very clear as to the solutions.
• The report was produced to a high standard and very promptly
• As a layman, Mr Kelly was very helpful to me in any matters which needed explanation and comments upon the other side’s expert report
• I would have no hesitation in recommending Mr Kelly to you
• Mr Kelly is an active member of the CIArb East Midlands Branch Committee for which I currently hold office as the Chair

J E Taylor: Solicitor, Construction Law

GENUINE INDEPENDENT OPINION:

As an independent consultant (Chartered Electrical Engineer), there is no issue concerning a conflict of interest relevant to the pursuance of electrical installation work; we do not undertake electrical installation work. Our opinions and views are based upon the actual technical requirements, supported by scientific, mathematical and engineering criteria; as opposed to subjective, vague or unsupported opinion.

We are invariably instructed across a wide range of issues involving numerous aspects of electrical engineering and we are pleased to have assisted in the significant success for our clients. Have you any such cases requiring our services

SERVICES AVAILABLE:

Expert Witness: Chartered Electrical Engineer, Reports and Court Appearances’

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Mediate or Adjudicate between parties where electrical technical issues/anomalies exist.

EXAMPLES – CASE STUDIES

• Metropolitan Police: SCD Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

Following a house fire which resulted in a loss of life at a property in Uxbridge, Middlesex, I was instructed to undertake an inspection of the electrical installation, in order to afford an opinion on the possibility that the cause of the house fire emanated from an outside ‘security light fitting’ circuit.

The investigation focussed in particular, on whether a junction box had been connected within this circuit and located on the top of a wardrobe unit in the rear (spare) bedroom, could have been the source of the house fire.

The inspection identified that this electrical installation had been altered, added to and poorly maintained over many years, with little consideration for statutory or technical requirements. It is worthy of note that prior to the house fire, the electrical installation required immediate attention, to ensure the system was safe to be used.

This electrical installation clearly did not satisfy the technical requirements of the latest edition of BS7671 (Requirements for Electrical Installation, IET Wiring Regulations Seventeenth Edition); albeit, it was not necessary to fully comply. However, one would expect that the condition of any such domestic electrical installation, having been altered and added to and having had maintenance work undertaken, to be in a safe condition.

However, I concluded that despite the general poor condition of the electrical installation and the failings of persons undertaking installation or maintenance work at the property over many years, to ensure that the basic fundamental electrical requirements had been satisfied, there was no evidence to support a view that the cause of this house fire was an electrical fault emanating from the ‘security light fitting’ installation.

• Single Joint Expert: Norwich County Court

I received a joint instruction to assess the electrical installation at substantial detached five bedroom domestic property in Norwich and to produce a written report thereon, which was provided to each party as required.

Despite the Electrical Project Manager being of mature age, I concluded that it was evident that this project was simply too big and complicated for him; albeit, he had described himself as a retired ‘electrical engineer’ working on a part-time basis. The lack of effective communication by all parties only compounded a difficult build. 

Unfortunately, it was clear that the level of competence required for such a project was not present. The recorded details identified weaknesses in design, construction, project management and supervision. Inspection, testing, verification and certification had been completely overlooked.

The non-compliances ranged across the board, from the fundamental to a basic lack of awareness and knowledge of industry custom and practice.