When you're about to make a major purchase - buying a home, a new car, a new computer, a new smartphone - we bet you seek expert opinion, whether that's asking family, friends or colleagues. Or more likely, reviews online or YouTube shorts or videos.  The sums involved in construction are usually much higher and expert opinion or expert witness are even more crucial.

Typically, a construction expert witness will examine the following (and perhaps more, as there are no identikit cases):

1. The actual building process
2. Finances
3. Contractual arrangements
4. Insurance
5. Local and national arrangements and restrictions
6. Licences
7. Accident and injury planning
8. Delays
9. Costs
10. Defects

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and all-encompassing.

By hiring a construction expert witness, all eventualities may be examined as you are hiring, by definition, an expert.

They have the knowledge, expertise and training to present a case to a court or other regulatory bodies. They are often employed to ensure a fair and just outcome, work we are often involved with at Veritas Surveying Ltd.

We have written before about the role of the construction expert witness here.

We quote too from a  case of National Justice Compania Naviera SA -v- Prudential Assurance Company Ltd [1993] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 68 (‘The Ikarian Reefer’) (No.1).

According to Mr Justice Creswell, the duties of an expert include the following:

• "Expert evidence should be the independent product of the expert uninfluenced as to form or content by the exigencies of litigation"
• "An expert witness should provide independent assistance to the court by providing an objective, unbiased opinion in relation to matters within their expertise"
• "An expert witness should never assume the role of an advocate"
• "An expert should not omit to consider material facts which could detract from their concluded opinion"

Finding the right construction expert witness can be daunting and you should look for:

• Qualifications
• Review Testimony History
• Communication Skills
• Availability

Our recent work as a construction expert witness involves:

- An opinion on a claim for £1.5m in the TCC following the escape of water.

- A single joint expert appointment in the Birmingham TCC (County Court) to value works and defects at a domestic property. RICS DRS appointment.

- An opinion on the value associated with the remedial works following issues with two basements in the TCC. Claim value £600k.

If you have further questions about our suitability for this complex work, contact Richard Barnes today:

[email protected] | 0161 298 1003 | 07958 996375

I am also active on LinkedIn via this link.