Nigel has been cross-examined on numerous occasions in arbitration, and in litigation; encompassing a span of electrical and building services (MEP) mechanical systems; and utility issues. He has investigated and opined on damage arising from design inadequacies, material defects and poor workmanship; additionally assisted at multi-disciplinary mediations; and as the technical lead/advisor to forensic accounting and commercial damages disputes. He is experienced across various jurisdictions including Scotland, England, Ireland, Norway, Africa, Australia, Canada, and Middle East.
Nigel has been selected for inclusion in the Lexology index (formerly WWL) guide for 2025, where it is cited that “Dr Bish impresses peers and clients with his high level of expertise in engineering and railway systems, making him a top-choice expert for intricate rail disputes” and again cited as a recommended expert for 2026.
As a specialist in forensic engineering and investigative disputes, Nigel has covered expert subjects including utility and power, infrastructure, electrical design, distribution, switching control, and protection. He also has significant experience in MV infrastructure, investigating issues of cable and switchgear failures (specifically focusing on remediation works), and design liability issues. Nigel has written and provided testimony as principal investigator and led expert reports for electrical infrastructure claims concerning power and utilities, autonomous and critical power supplies, and MEP building services within public, industrial, commercial, and research environments.
Nigel has a Doctorate in dielectric physics and is a member of the Institute of Physics and the Institution of Engineering Technology (previously the Institution of Electrical Engineers). He is an associate member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and was a steering committee member of UPEC (International Universities Power Engineering Conference). Nigel accrued much of his experience in forensic work as an academic, balancing both research and lecturing duties, with investigative commissions in degradation of dielectric materials and switchgear on behalf of industrial sponsors.
Dr Bish is adept in compliancy investigative, and verification works, gaining considerable prominence and renown across all sectors of MEP design, verification and assurance. Currently, Nigel is Principal (EMEA) FTS Infrastructure, for Rail, Mechanical and Electrical (MEP Building services) and Energy and Renewables Infrastructure.
Nigel has given expert testimony in a number of cases to date, both internationally and locally (including High Court) and has been cross-examined as an expert relating to alleged design and construction defects in electrical LV/MV&HV projects, mechanical/electrical plant, and rail infrastructure. To date Dr Bish has published a number of papers in the area of power and high voltage and has presented them nationally and internationally in the field of Rail forensic engineering.
Professional Achievements:
- Over 25 years of international experience in construction, engineering, consultancy, with a strong forensic background
- Head of forensic engineering, MEP, Power, utilities, and rail infrastructure widely recognised as a leading expert with a proven track record in both expert testimony and advisory
- Testified Technical Expert with experience giving oral evidence in both international arbitration and Litigation
- Appointed technical expert on major global projects, including Rail, mixed-use developments, hotels, industrial plant, & transport infrastructure.
- Trusted by leading law firms, contractors, developers, and consultants to provide independent technical expert opinion on material defects and workmanship issues.
- Recognised for clear, coherent, and robust analyses, praised by tribunals and clients alike.
- Proven as a credible witness under cross examination in Rail infrastructure, M&E Services, Power Engineering design, construction and material defects
- Lexology citation 2025 and 2026 Lexology says of Dr Nigel Bish, ‘He impresses peers and clients with his “High level of expertise in engineering and railway systems” making him a top-choice expert for intricate rail disputes’
- Former academic and post-doctoral research fellow in electrical and electronic engineering and researcher in power and high voltage engineering
- Former MEP lead for Network Rail, UK
- Past Steering Committee Member of UPEC (International Universities Power Engineering Conference (2002-2010)
Representative appointments
Rail Operator, Afr (2022-24)
Appointed on behalf of prior operator/owner (respondent) to investigate franchise obligations for metre-gauge freight/passenger rail during a concession period to a private company. Dispute centred on franchisees failure to correctly maintain and operate a safe operating railway prior to the premature concession end. Issues of franchisees failure concerned neglect of infrastructure, permanent way, rolling stock, and poor maintenance of culverts, cuttings, bridges, and supporting infrastructure, resulting in numerous derailments and fatalities. Dr Bish presented his findings & delivered expert testimony to an arbitration panel at IAC London.
Development Company, Dubai (2025/26)
Appointed as technical expert (MEP) for a large development corporation (Global). The large-scale development comprises of mixed-use development (£300m+ project value) comprising of hotel, fitness centre, office buildings, business centre, commercial retail, high-end residential, and boutique offices. The dispute involves a complex claim of MEP issues, including material defects, installation and workmanship issues, supplier and engineering design claims, and post installation defects in M&E Plant. Appointed as lead subject matter expert, Dr Bish presented his findings & delivered expert testimony to an arbitration panel at IDRC London.
Power Utility, CAN (2022)
Appointed Principal Investigator & report author on behalf of a sub-contractor regarding disputed install of 138kV HV cable feeder circuits installed in underground ducts. The remediation of installed duct instructed by contractor, caused significant additional cost and delay, these were disputed by sub-contractor on the grounds of client triggered delays, inappropriately applied assessment methods, and unnecessary redress of installed cable management system. Expert testimony given to appointed panel and underwent cross examination from adverse party. Outcome was successful for instructing counsel, receiving considerable praise and acknowledgment for expertise from the head of the arbitration panel.
Publications
“The use of neural network and statistical techniques for the identification of partial dielectric discharges“, CEIDP Conference, Atlanta Georgia, USA, October 1998
“Condition monitoring of dielectric behaviour leading to the diagnosis of partial discharge onset using neural network analysis“, UPEC 99 Universities Power Engineering Conference, University of Leicester, UK, September 1999 [presented paper]
“Dielectric condition monitoring of high voltage systems using intelligent partial discharge analysis“, EIS 2000 Conference, 2nd International ICSC Symposium on Engineering of Intelligent Systems, University of Paisley, UK, June 2000 [presented paper]
“Condition diagnostics of a physical breakdown mechanism in high voltage dielectrics utilising AI evaluation techniques“, KES 2000, 4th International Conference on Knowledge Based Intelligent Information Engineering Systems and Allied Technologies, The University of Brighton, UK, August 2000 [presented paper]
“Partial discharge monitoring leading to the diagnosis of dielectric breakdown mechanisms using neural network analysis“, UPEC 2000, 35th Universities Power Engineering Conference, The Queens University, Belfast, UK, September 2000 [presented paper]
“Intelligent diagnosis and prediction of degradation within high voltage dielectrics“, ISH 2001, International Symposium of High Voltage Engineering, Bangalore, India, August 2001
“Combined intelligent PD analysis of high voltage dielectric condition evaluation“, 4th International ICSC Symposium Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems for Industry, University of Paisley, UK, June 2001 [presented paper]
“Intelligent recognition of partial discharges in high voltage dielectrics“, UPEC 2001, 36th Universities Power Engineering Conference, University of Wales, Swansea, UK, September 2001.
“Dielectric partial discharge monitoring using machine-orientated algorithmic techniques“, UPEC 2002, 37th Universities Power Engineering Conference, University of Staffordshire, UK, September 2002 [presented paper]
“Identification of advanced digital signal processing and pattern recognition techniques to improve the detection of high voltage test signals“, UPEC 2002, 37th Universities Power Engineering Conference, University of Staffordshire, UK, September 2002
“Partial discharge monitoring of dielectrics using machine-orientated algorithmic techniques“, ICMEP-ACEID 2003 Conference, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China, April 2003
“Dielectric condition monitoring using intelligent partial discharge analysis“, PhD Doctoral Thesis, University of Brighton, UK, November 2003
“Rail sleuths: the investigative edge of rail forensic technical services“, Rail Journal article based on presentation “Lessons from Rail Infrastructure Projects – A forensic perspective”. RailTech magazine publish date May 2024.
Guest Speaker, Intelligent Rail Summit Warsaw, Poland 2023. Presentation title “LESSONS FROM RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS – A FORENSIC PERSPECTIVE“