When undertaking an architectural project, building work or property maintenance, there is always the risk that something can go wrong.

Whether you are the client, contractor or professional, you may be dissatisfied with the result of the project. Unfortunately, relationships occasionally break down and disputes can be financially and emotionally costly, as well as time consuming.

When this situation arises, disagreements are increasingly settled by mediation. In this position, our property experts at Carter Jonas are experienced in the process are well placed to advise, always ensuring we are sympathetic to our clients concerns.

How can Carter Jonas help by acting as an expert witness?

Acting as an expert witness, our professionals provide advice to solicitors and legal counsel regarding property disputes. Issues include compulsory purchase of property, matrimonial and partnership disputes, failings in design or construction, party wall agreements/disputes, valuations for litigation purposes, professional negligence claims, taxation matters, leasehold enfranchisement, rent reviews and lease renewals.

Our experience is extremely varied. Examples of cases where we have recently provided advice include:

  • False advice from a surveyor regarding the re-thatching of a roof
  • Design errors and poor workmanship in a newly built stable yard
  • The suing of a retired architect for poor advice
  • Ankle-deep water in a cottage, resulting from the poor work of a contractor who had ceased trading
  • Poor quality building work, which resulted when an interior designer sub-contracted the project
  • Criminal prosecution of a carpenter accused of damaging a listed building

Why choose Carter Jonas as your expert witness?

Our building consultancy professionals are located in Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Oxford, Leeds and London. Our designated teams contain highly qualified and experienced chartered building surveyors who consistently provide a professional, effective, and personal service.

In the situation of a disagreement, our experts can provide advice to solicitors or legal counsel, yet are also on hand to provide support to our client throughout the dispute. We supply a detailed report on the work that took place, always ensuring that our guidance is fully understood, including how our conclusions were reached and the options for next steps.

During the dispute, our experts are often cross examined and challenged on their findings by opposing counsel, and so it is vital to use a highly experienced professional with a broad knowledge of previous cases. Our building surveyors at Carter Jonas are highly respected in the industry, have acted in hundreds of cases and have full confidence under cross-examination on the advice they provide.

Get in touch

Richard Love is a Partner, Head of Building Surveying in our London Commercial Team. Richard joined from Watts Group PLC where he worked since 2010, most recently as director in it's project consultancy group. Richard's role is to provide building consultancy services, including relocation management, contract administration, design, strategic procurement and conservation advice with our clients.

Career Highlights:

Ealing Town Hall:
Full external restoration of Grade II Listed Victorian Gothic town hall building. The project arose from a survey identifying incidences of dangerous stonework and the project incorporated extensive masonry repairs, reroofing, redecorations, stained glass replacement, access improvements and drainage improvements.  Works on site were delivered over an eight month period during which the town hall remained fully operational.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists HQ Relocation:
Project management services in respect of all aspects of the HQ relocation for this prestigious medical college.  The relocation centred around moving into a 50,000sq ft 1980’s office building and delivered a comprehensive strip out and refurbishment including the creating of canteen and catering facilities, conference space, library including antique book collection and sublet space.  The relocation was delivered in 9 months (inception to completion) and Richard also handled dilapidations matters on exit.

Career developments
Being appointed to the board overseeing the expansion of the Carter Jonas Commercial Division, which took place in early 2017. Also, managing the expansion of the Architecture and Building Consultancy team. The service line has doubled the number of specialists working within it in the last two years, becoming the largest team within the division. Further growth plans are currently in place for the next few years.

I can provide advice on:
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Matthew is a Chartered Building Surveyor in the Chapel Place office. Matthew has undertaken various Building Surveying services to a diverse portfolio of clients, including Royal Mail, Salvation Army, Winchester Working Men’s Housing Society, Aurora Fashions and Network Rail.

His primary skills cover: Schedules of Work, Schedules of Condition, Party Wall matters, Planned Maintenance Repair and Refurbishment Contracts of various properties, Schedules of Dilapidations, Insurance Valuations , Fire Insurance Valuations, Contract Administration, Defect Diagnosis and Prognosis, Statutory Consents, Budget Costs and Pre-acquisition survey.

Career Highlights:

  • Shortlisted for Young Surveyor of the year in 2016.
  • Leading on Party Wall matters for whole Thameslink project over 5 year period.
  • Defending dilapidations claim on behalf of Tenant, resulting in a reduction of the Landlord’s claim from £4.9m to £1.45m
I can provide advice on:
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Career Highlights:

  • Securing a portfolio insurance assessment in 2016 for over 150 assets in Greater London and Scotland.
  • Delivering a £700,000 CAT B fit out to fifth floor offices on Paternoster Square overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral in the Summer of 2015. 
  • Providing Lead Consultancy advice to major financial institution for CAT A refurbishment of 20,000 sqft offices in central Bath.
 
I can provide advice on:
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Matthew Ellams is head of our project management team. He has considerable experience within the sector and has worked across a wide range of projects, servicing many different types of clients.

I can provide advice on:

Keith is a Partner in the commercial team and is based out of our Cambridge office.

I can provide advice on:

Career Highlights:

  • Project Management of the UK’s first retrospective fire pressurisation system on Grade II* listed tower building.
  • Conservation and Restoration of Grade II* listed 18thC Summerhouse.
  • Award Winning Conversion and Refurbishment of a Grade II listed farmhouse and range of traditional barns into a mixed use development.
I can provide advice on:

Keith is a Partner in the commercial team and is based out of our Cambridge office.

I can provide advice on:

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