Why Hire a Construction Expert Witness
If you work in the construction industry, then you’ll know that sometimes disputes can arise for a number of reasons; whether it’s a planning permission issue or a structural fault with the building. Unfortunately, not all disputes can be solved quickly and easily, and there are times when it might go to court if both parties are struggling to agree. This is where a construction expert witness might come in handy, they’re available to provide an expert, independent opinion and make sure the issue is solved in the fairest way possible. If you’re thinking this might be something that could benefit you, see our brief guide explaining what a construction expert witness is, and how they can help you and your business.
What is a construction expert witness?
An expert witness is an individual used by courts and other bodies to offer their knowledge, experience and training in a specific area to help the court reach a sound decision. Expert witnesses have a level of knowledge in their field which qualifies them to present their opinion during a case, in this case that field will be anything to do with construction. An independent witness can be hired by either party, but they must provide impartial knowledge and not be swayed by whoever is paying their fee.
When might you need a construction expert witness?
There are many reasons why you might need the help of a construction expert witness, and they can advise on a wide range of issues including insurance claims, planning permission conflicts, boundary disputes, design evaluation or health and safety claims, such as the presence of toxic mould.
Going to court can be a costly and drawn out process, but hiring a construction witness can help speed up the process, and help you understand the issues at hand so you don’t enter the case unprepared.
As mentioned above, an expert witness will articulate the facts of the case and make sure you fully understand the evidence. They can also defend you against false claims, especially in cases such as landlords versus tenants when it can be your word against theirs. Hiring an expert witness can also save you money in the long term and prevent a court case dragging out for weeks due to lack of evidence or expert testimony.
If you need to hire a construction expert witness to resolve a case, give Simon Levy a call. A practicing member of the Academy of Experts since 1996, our team have been commissioned as an expert witness for a wide variety of cases, including boundary disputes, dilapidation, planning and development and more. Give us a call today, or visit the website to find out more about how we can help.
