Expert Witness and Specialist Reports
Tracing Errors and Providing Solutions
As a practice, CMM are able to provide guidance on building failures and solutions to these failures. Very often situations arise unexpectedly and technical errors are difficult to trace when buildings are complete. We are able to provide expert services to help resolve such situations.
In the preparation of expert reports, we both bring over thirty years’ experience in the design and construction of a wide range of buildings to bear on what may sometimes appear to be insurmountable problems. We are able to instigate investigative works, record defects, give independent expert opinion on liability and advise on remedial solutions.
CMM has a track record of excellence in the analysis of building defects, both as appointed expert witnesses and directly for building owners. Our experience extends across a wide range of construction types. We have particular expertise on issues of: technical performance; defects in construction and workmanship; construction quality; design obligations; contract interpretation and the performance by parties of their contractual obligations.
Working together our approach is both collaborative and argumentative, avoiding unmethodical opinion – hasty premature conclusions and unqualified speculations. We have found that opinions - if they are to be accorded any weight - need to be supported by a transparent process of reasoning i.e. opinions that are not overtly reliant on theory rather than agreed facts. We have found the importance of having two voices avoids conjectures drawn from too narrow a focus and the unnecessary imperative of reaching a decisive conclusion.
Sometimes investigations require highly specialist skills; CMM collaborates with, and can advise on the appointment of, other experts in the fields of cladding, glazing, M&E services, structural design, roof drainage design and materials science amongst others.
Examples of previous work undertaken for property owners, managers and developers:-
19 Lynedoch Street
Acted as specialist advisors for both the building’s developers and contractor on a conversion project under contract which was in trouble.
BAE Systems, Yarrows Yard, Glasgow
Whole site roof condition reports for all buildings at this yard.
Langhouse, Inverkip
Defective work was described leading to a negotiated settlement between all parties.
Glenshellach, Oban, Argyll
We carried out an intrusive investigation to determine the causes of vertical sound transfer between flats that resulted in the identification of both inappropriate detailing and poor workmanship.
Faber Maunsell Engineers
Glass and glazing systems, cladding systems at office blocks and shopping centres a series of reports commissioned with Faber Maunsell Engineers
