Expert Reports & Testimony

Service Description

Expert reports are pivotal in construction disputes. They serve as formal, independent documents that present technical opinions to support or contest a claim. These reports are relied upon by arbitral tribunals, adjudicators, judges, or dispute boards to understand complex issues related to delay, disruption, cost escalation, or defective works. For this reason, the strength of an expert report often determines the outcome of a dispute. A credible expert report must adhere to several core principles: impartiality, transparency, clarity, and methodological soundness. The expert must remain independent, even if engaged by one of the parties. The report should define its scope, identify the issues in dispute, explain the assumptions, and detail the methods of analysis applied whether in assessing delay (e.g., Time Impact Analysis) or quantum (e.g., valuation of prolongation costs or productivity losses). These reports typically include factual background, opinion summaries, references to documents and records, and detailed findings. Charts, tables, and programme comparisons are often used to clarify complex narratives. Expert testimony must strike a careful balance: it must be technically deep but presented in a way that is comprehensible to non-specialists. Furthermore, the expert’s credibility is often judged not only on the content of the report but on their demeanour, experience, and impartiality under examination. When well-prepared, an expert report can carry significant persuasive weight, acting as a cornerstone of a party’s position in a dispute.