Service
Structural Expert Witness for Construction and Engineering Disputes
Independent engineering evidence on what went wrong, why it went wrong and what it will take to put it right — for arbitration across the GCC and proceedings in the DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts, QICDRC and BICC.
- DIAC
- arbitrateAD
- SCCA
- QICCA
- BCDR
- DIFC Courts
- ADGM Courts
- QICDRC
- BICC
When a structure cracks, deflects, settles, corrodes or fails, the dispute that follows turns on technical questions a tribunal cannot answer on its own. Was the design adequate? Was it built as designed? Were the materials as specified? Did ground conditions, use or maintenance play a part? And is the proposed repair necessary — or an upgrade at someone else's expense?
A structural expert witness answers those questions independently, on the evidence. We investigate the physical condition of the structure, review the design and construction records, establish the cause of the defect and give a clear opinion on responsibility in technical terms and on the appropriate remedial solution.
We act on buildings, infrastructure, industrial and energy structures across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
What a structural expert witness does
A structural expert is a chartered structural or civil engineer who gives independent opinion evidence on technical matters in dispute. That means:
- Establishing the facts on site — inspection, survey and, where needed, a testing programme agreed with the other side so results are not disputed later.
- Determining cause — distinguishing between design, materials, workmanship, ground conditions and use or maintenance, and identifying where more than one cause has contributed.
- Assessing the design — reviewing calculations, drawings and specifications against the contract requirements and the codes and standards that applied at the time.
- Assessing the construction — comparing what was built with what was designed, using records, as-built information and physical evidence.
- Evaluating the remedy — whether the proposed repair is necessary, reasonable and proportionate, and what alternatives exist.
- Explaining it clearly — translating complex engineering into evidence a tribunal can follow, test and rely on.
“Our overriding duty is to the tribunal or court, not to the party who appoints us.”
Structural issues we advise on
Cracking and deflection
Investigation of cracking in slabs, beams, walls and transfer structures — distinguishing structural cracking from shrinkage, thermal and movement effects, and assessing whether deflections exceed design limits.
Concrete durability and reinforcement corrosion
Chloride-induced and carbonation-related corrosion, sulphate attack, inadequate cover and poor curing — common durability issues in the Gulf's aggressive climate and ground conditions.
Foundations and settlement
Differential settlement, piling defects, heave and ground-related movement, including the interface between structural and geotechnical evidence.
Post-tensioned and precast structures
Tendon and anchorage defects, grouting deficiencies, connection failures and erection-related damage.
Steel structures and connections
Connection design and fabrication defects, welding and bolting issues, fire protection and corrosion protection failures.
Façades and building envelope
Structural aspects of façade and cladding disputes — brackets, anchors, support structures and movement accommodation.
Design adequacy and code compliance
Whether the design met the contract requirements and the applicable codes and standards, and whether design checks and approvals were properly carried out.
Collapse and partial failure
Forensic investigation of collapses and partial failures, including temporary works, to establish the sequence and mechanism of failure.
Remedial schemes
Review of proposed repair and strengthening schemes for necessity, reasonableness and scope — and the boundary between remedying a defect and betterment.
Defects liability and latent defects
Technical evidence in disputes over defects notified during the defects period and latent defects that emerge after completion.
Structural and quantum: working together
The structural expert decides what is wrong and what repair is reasonably required. The quantum expert values it. If the two pieces of evidence don't align — a repair scope the structural expert hasn't endorsed, or costs for work that isn't technically necessary — the claim is exposed.
We work closely with quantum experts so that the remedial scope, the method and the cost tie together, and the tribunal can follow the link from defect, to cause, to remedy, to value.
How an engagement works
- 1
Conflict check and initial call
A short, confidential conversation about the structure, the alleged defects, the parties and the timetable. We complete a conflict check before receiving any documents.
- 2
Scope and letter of instruction
We agree the technical questions to be answered, the documents and access required, and the programme and fee basis.
- 3
Records review and site inspection
We review the design and construction records, then inspect the structure. Where possible, inspections and testing are carried out jointly with the opposing expert under an agreed protocol.
- 4
Testing and analysis
Where the evidence requires it, we specify and supervise non-destructive and intrusive testing, monitoring and structural analysis — proportionate to the issues and the sums in dispute.
- 5
Expert report
An independent report setting out our findings, the cause of each defect, our opinions on design and construction, and our assessment of the appropriate remedy.
- 6
Joint meetings and the hearing
Meetings with the opposing structural expert, a joint statement of agreed and disagreed issues, and oral evidence at the hearing, including expert conferencing where the tribunal directs it.
Independence and professional standards
Our evidence is prepared to meet the expectations tribunals and courts place on experts in the region, including:
- the IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration (2020), where adopted;
- the CIArb Protocol for the Use of Party-Appointed Expert Witnesses in International Arbitration;
- the procedural rules of the relevant arbitral institution, such as the DIAC 2022 Arbitration Rules; and
- the expert evidence requirements of the DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts, QICDRC and BICC.
Every report includes a declaration of independence and a statement of the expert's duty to the tribunal or court.
Where we act
Arbitration
Institutional and ad hoc arbitrations across the GCC, including DIAC (Dubai), arbitrateAD (Abu Dhabi), SCCA (Saudi Arabia), QICCA (Qatar), BCDR (Bahrain), KCAC (Kuwait) and OAC (Oman), as well as ICC and other international rules with a GCC seat or GCC project.
Offshore courts
DIFC Courts (including the Technology and Construction Division), ADGM Courts, the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, and the Bahrain International Commercial Court.
Where we act: independent expert witness services in arbitration across the GCC and in the DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts, QICDRC and BICC. We do not provide expert evidence in onshore court proceedings.
View all GCC locationsSectors
- Residential and commercial towers
- Hospitality and mixed use
- Infrastructure and bridges
- Rail and metro
- Aviation
- Industrial and process
- Energy and utilities
- Renewable energy
- Water and wastewater
- Marine and coastal structures
Who we work with
For lawyers and in-house counsel
Technical issues often decide liability, and they need to be framed correctly from the start. We help define the technical issues list, propose proportionate investigation and testing, and give evidence that maps to the pleaded case on causation and breach. We act as party-appointed expert, tribunal-appointed expert or in a confidential advisory role.
Discuss an instructionTechnical issues often decide liability, and they need to be framed correctly from the start. We help define the technical issues list, propose proportionate investigation and testing, and give evidence that maps to the pleaded case on causation and breach. We act as party-appointed expert, tribunal-appointed expert or in a confidential advisory role.
Discuss an instructionWhat you receive
- An early, candid technical view of the defects and likely causes
- A proportionate investigation and testing plan
- A clear, independent expert report with photographs, test results and reasoning the tribunal can follow
- An opinion on the necessary and reasonable remedial scope
- A joint statement with the opposing expert that narrows the issues
- Clear, consistent oral evidence under cross-examination
Frequently asked questions
Need a structural expert witness?
Tell us about the structure, the defects, the forum and the timetable. We'll complete a conflict check and come back to you promptly.
Discuss an instructionPlease do not send confidential documents until a conflict check has been completed. If you are concerned about immediate structural safety, contact the relevant authority and a structural engineer without delay.