The effects of climate change and the continued drive to build housing stock and commercial premises on previously undeveloped land are likely to drive an increase in the number, type and scope of geotechnical claims.  A good example is the increasing prevalence of sinkholes in the UK.  When a sinkhole occurs it does so suddenly and can cause catastrophic damage to buildings or even collapse.  The increased number of construction projects on land underlain by chalk on greenfield sites, together with more frequent heavy rain events are two key factors.  Inundation of the soil/chalk leads to an increase in subterranean voids in the chalk which in turn enhance the risk of collapse, resulting in a sinkhole occurring at the surface. The extreme heat/heavy rain weather-cycle also negatively impacts slope stability resulting in the unwanted movement or collapse of railway/road embankments and cuttings (as well as triggering natural landslides). Geotechnical engineers will be in greater demand at the front end of projects to assess the ever changing landscape of geotechnical risk, but also at the back end when things go wrong and claims result.