Role of expert witnesses in construction arbitration
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Experience, engineering projects, contracting, contract arbitration, contracting contractsAbstract
Experts Witnesses play a fundamental role in arbitration for disputes related to construction engineering projects, as they provide specialized technical knowledge that aids arbitration panels in resolving complex technical disputes. Their impartial analyses on matters such as delays, design defects, and cost estimation are essential and critical for making decisions based on accurate scientific understanding.
These experts are appointed either by the disputing parties or the arbitration panel, and they are responsible for adhering to independence, objectivity, and complete neutrality, in accordance with ethical standards and legal procedural rules, such as the International Bar Association (IBA) Guidelines on evidence in international engineering arbitration. Their responsibilities include offering unbiased and impartial opinions, disclosing any potential conflicts of interest, and assisting the arbitration panel in comprehending technical aspects that may exceed its legal expertise.
It is worth noting that effective technical witnesses can significantly impact the outcomes of arbitration, particularly when addressing complex technical issues associated with engineering construction projects. Therefore, selecting competent and highly specialized experts is crucial in this type of dispute, as their contributions clarify intricate technical aspects and enhance the fairness and efficiency of arbitration proceedings.
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References
المصادر العربية
عباس العبودي، شرح أحكام قانون الاثبات المدني، دار الثقافة، عمان، 2011، ط3.
عبدالرحمن العلام، شرح قانون المرافعات المدنية، العاتك لصناعة الكتاب، القاهرة،2008، ط2 ،ج2 .
المصادر الإنكليزية
A Kidd, S Appelbe and A Morgan, ‘The Use and Abuse of Programmes in Construction Contracts’ (2015) 168 Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Management, Procurement and Law 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/jmapl.14.00044.
A Morgan and S Gbedemah, ‘How poor project governance causes delays’ (2010) D113 The Society of Construction Law.
N Braimah, ‘Construction Delay Analysis Techniques – A Review of Application Issues and Improvement Needs’ (2013) Buildings 3, 506–531
C Linnett, About Time: Delay Analysis in Construction (RICS Books 2006); PJ Keane and AF Caletka, Delay Analysis in Construction Contracts (Wiley-Blackwell 2008).
K Pickavance, Delay and Disruption in Construction Contracts (4th edn, Sweet & Maxwell 2010).
S Furst and V Ramsey, Keat ing on Construction Contracts (9th edn, Sweet & Maxwell 2012); and Braimah .
Michael C. Charlton, The Quantity Surveyor as Expert Witness, Asian Dispute Review 15–18 (2010).
Franz Schwarz & Christian Konrad, The Vienna Rules, A Commentary on International Commercial Arbitration in Austria (2009).
Doug Jones, Party-Appointed Expert Witnesses in International Arbitration: A Protocol at Last, Arbitration International XXIV 1, (2008).
Dana H. Freyer, Assessing Expert Evidence, in Leading Arbitrators’s Guide To International Arbitration 439 (Lawrence W. Newman & Richard D. Hill eds., 2008).
Eugenio Hernandez-Breton, Expert Evidence, in International Arbitration Checklist 130 (Grant Hanessian & Lawrence W. Newman eds., 2009).
Nael G. Bunni, Some Thoughts from Experiences in Construction Arbitrations, in Back To Basics? ICCA International Arbitration Congress XIII 789–794 (Albert Jan Van den Berg ed., 2006).
Martin M. Hunter, Expert Conferencing and New Methods, in International Arbitration 2006: Back To Basics? ICCA International Arbitration Congress XIII 820 (Albert Jan Van den Berg ed., 2006).
Yves de Haller, A case Study of the Role of the Expert in an Arbitration Involving the Construction of an Energy Plant, in Preventing Delay And Disruption Of Arbitration/Effective Proceedings In Construction Cases, Icca Congress Series V 517–523 (Albert Van den Berg ed., 1990).
Philip Jenkinson, Presentation of an Experience of Expertise During an Arbitral Proceedings, Arbitration and Expertise in Milan on December 13, 1991 (the International Institute for the Promotion of Arbitration Culture, ICC Institute of International Business Law and Practice).
National Justice Compania Naviera S.A. v. Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd. (1993) 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 68.
Mark Kantor, Valuation for Arbitration, Compensation Standards; Valuation Methods and Expert Evidence (2008) .
Hew R. Dundas, Party-Appointed and Tribunal-Appointed Expert: What is the Duty of an Expert and to whom is it Owed?, 20th Annual Symposium of Arbitrators, Paris, 14 March 2005. (23).
Dave Dushyant, Contemporary Practice in the Conduct of Proceedings: Techniques for Experts and Expert Witnesses in International Arbitration.
Steven C. Bennett, “Use of Experts in Arbitration: Alternatives for Improved Efficiency,” 73 Disp. Resol. J. 2 (2018) – on the role and management of expert analysis.
United States – IBA Arbitration Country Guide (2018).
Xu Zhihe & Li Tingwei, “The Use of Expert Witness in Arbitration from the Perspective of SHIAC,” Kluwer Arbitration Blog (April 29, 2020) – overview of party- vs tribunal-appointed experts and international practice.
UNCITRAL Model Law 1985, Article 26 – authority for tribunal to appoint experts and party’s right to present expert evidence
IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration (2020), Articles 5–6 – guidelines on party-appointed and tribunal-appointed experts.
Singapore – CMS Expert Guide: International Arbitration (2021)cms.law; Singapore International Arbitration Act (Cap. 143A) adopting UNCITRAL Model Law Art. 26.•
UNCITRAL Model Law 1985, UNCITRAL Model Law 1985, Op.Cit.
Nicholas Cousino & Matthew Finn, “Expert Evidence in Construction Disputes: Expert Witness Perspective,” GAR – The Guide to Construction Arbitration (5th ed., 2023).
James Plant & Brooke Gilbey, “The Role of Experts and Lawyers in Arbitration,” Kluwer Arbitration Blog (Feb. 17, 2024).
The Ikarian Reefer [1993] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 68 (UK High Court) (duties of experts.
Mark Kantor, “Experts in International and Domestic Arbitration,” Dasteel ADR Blog (2020).
IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration (2010/2020), Arts.
CIArb, “Protocol for the Use of Party-Appointed Expert Witnesses in International Arbitration” (2007), in CIArb Compendium (2015).
LCIA, “Experts in International Arbitration,” LCIA Perspectives (Jan. 17, 2018).
UNCITRAL Model Law 1985 (as amended 2006), Article 26 (Experts).
References
Abbas Al-Aboudi, Downloading the Civil Evidence Law, Dar Al-Thaqafa, Amman, 2011, 3rd ed.
Abdulrahman Al-Alam, Explanation of the Civil Procedure Law, Al-Atik Book Industry, Cairo, 2008, 2nd ed., vol. 2.المصادر العربية
أبرام، ع. (2011). شرح أحكام قانون الإثبات المدني (ط. 3). دار الثقافة.
العلام، ع. (2008). شرح قانون المرافعات المدنية (ج. 2، ط. 2). العاتك لصناعة الكتاب.
المصادر الإنكليزية
Bennett, S. C. (2018). Use of experts in arbitration: Alternatives for improved efficiency. Dispute Resolution Journal, 73(2).
Braimah, N. (2013). Construction delay analysis techniques – A review of application issues and improvement needs. Buildings, 3(3), 506–531. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings3030506
Bunni, N. G. (2006). Some thoughts from experiences in construction arbitrations. In A. J. Van den Berg (Ed.), Back to basics? ICCA International Arbitration Congress XIII (pp. 789–794). Kluwer Law International.
Charlton, M. C. (2010). The quantity surveyor as expert witness. Asian Dispute Review, 15–18.
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. (2007). Protocol for the use of party-appointed expert witnesses in international arbitration. CIArb Compendium (2015).
Cousino, N., & Finn, M. (2023). Expert evidence in construction disputes: Expert witness perspective. GAR – The Guide to Construction Arbitration (5th ed.). Law Business Research.
Dave, D. (2012). Contemporary practice in the conduct of proceedings: Techniques for experts and expert witnesses in international arbitration. Kluwer Arbitration.
de Haller, Y. (1990). A case study of the role of the expert in an arbitration involving the construction of an energy plant. In A. Van den Berg (Ed.), Preventing delay and disruption of arbitration/Effective proceedings in construction cases (pp. 517–523). ICCA Congress Series V.
Dundas, H. R. (2005). Party-appointed and tribunal-appointed expert: What is the duty of an expert and to whom is it owed? 20th Annual Symposium of Arbitrators, Paris.
Freyer, D. H. (2008). Assessing expert evidence. In L. W. Newman & R. D. Hill (Eds.), Leading arbitrators’ guide to international arbitration (p. 439). Juris Publishing.
Furst, S., & Ramsey, V. (2012). Keating on construction contracts (9th ed.). Sweet & Maxwell.
Hernandez-Breton, E. (2009). Expert evidence. In G. Hanessian & L. W. Newman (Eds.), International arbitration checklist (p. 130). Juris Publishing.
Hunter, M. M. (2006). Expert conferencing and new methods. In A. J. Van den Berg (Ed.), International arbitration 2006: Back to basics? ICCA International Arbitration Congress XIII (p. 820). Kluwer Law International.
International Bar Association. (2018). United States – IBA arbitration country guide. IBA.
International Bar Association. (2020). IBA rules on the taking of evidence in international arbitration. IBA.
Jacobs, F. G. (1969). Varieties of approach to treaty interpretation: With special reference to the draft convention on the law of treaties before the Vienna Diplomatic Conference. International & Comparative Law Quarterly, 18(2), 318–346. https://doi.org/10.1093/iclqaj/18.2.318
Jenkinson, P. (1991). Presentation of an experience of expertise during an arbitral proceedings. Arbitration and Expertise, ICC Institute of International Business Law and Practice, Milan.
Jones, D. (2008). Party-appointed expert witnesses in international arbitration: A protocol at last. Arbitration International, 24(1), 137–154. https://doi.org/10.1093/arbitration/24.1.137
Kantor, M. (2008). Valuation for arbitration, compensation standards: Valuation methods and expert evidence. Kluwer Law International.
Kantor, M. (2020). Experts in international and domestic arbitration. Dasteel ADR Blog.
Keane, P. J., & Caletka, A. F. (2008). Delay analysis in construction contracts. Wiley-Blackwell.
Kidd, A., Appelbe, S., & Morgan, A. (2015). The use and abuse of programmes in construction contracts. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Management, Procurement and Law, 168(6), 263–270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/jmapl.14.00044
Linnett, C. (2006). About time: Delay analysis in construction. RICS Books.
London Court of International Arbitration. (2018). Experts in international arbitration. LCIA Perspectives.
Morgan, A., & Gbedemah, S. (2010). How poor project governance causes delays (Paper D113). The Society of Construction Law.
National Justice Compania Naviera S.A. v. Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd. (The Ikarian Reefer), [1993] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 68 (UK High Court).
Pickavance, K. (2010). Delay and disruption in construction contracts (4th ed.). Sweet & Maxwell.
Plant, J., & Gilbey, B. (2024). The role of experts and lawyers in arbitration. Kluwer Arbitration Blog.
Schwarz, F., & Konrad, C. (2009). The Vienna rules: A commentary on international commercial arbitration in Austria. Kluwer Law International.
Singapore Ministry of Law. (2021). Singapore International Arbitration Act (Cap. 143A). CMS Expert Guide: International Arbitration. cms.law
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. (1985). UNCITRAL model law on international commercial arbitration (with amendments as adopted in 2006). United Nations.
Xu, Z., & Li, T. (2020). The use of expert witness in arbitration from the perspective of SHIAC. Kluwer Arbitration Blog.
References
First: Arabic Sources
Al-Aboudi, A. (2011). Sharh ahkam qanun al-ithbat al-madani [Explanation of the provisions of the Civil Evidence Law] (3rd ed.). Dar Al-Thaqafa. [In Arabic].
Al-Alam, A. (2008). Sharh qanun al-murafa'at al-madaniyah [Explanation of the Civil Procedure Law] (Vol. 2, 2nd ed.). Al-Atik Book Industry. [In Arabic].
Second: English Sources
Bennett, S. C. (2018). Use of experts in arbitration: Alternatives for improved efficiency. Dispute Resolution Journal, 73(2).
Braimah, N. (2013). Construction delay analysis techniques – A review of application issues and improvement needs. Buildings, 3(3), 506–531. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings3030506
Bunni, N. G. (2006). Some thoughts from experiences in construction arbitrations. In A. J. Van den Berg (Ed.), Back to basics? ICCA International Arbitration Congress XIII (pp. 789–794). Kluwer Law International.
Charlton, M. C. (2010). The quantity surveyor as expert witness. Asian Dispute Review, 15–18.
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. (2007). Protocol for the use of party-appointed expert witnesses in international arbitration. CIArb Compendium (2015).
Cousino, N., & Finn, M. (2023). Expert evidence in construction disputes: Expert witness perspective. GAR – The Guide to Construction Arbitration (5th ed.). Law Business Research.
Dave, D. (2012). Contemporary practice in the conduct of proceedings: Techniques for experts and expert witnesses in international arbitration. Kluwer Arbitration.
de Haller, Y. (1990). A case study of the role of the expert in an arbitration involving the construction of an energy plant. In A. Van den Berg (Ed.), Preventing delay and disruption of arbitration/Effective proceedings in construction cases (pp. 517–523). ICCA Congress Series V.
Dundas, H. R. (2005). Party-appointed and tribunal-appointed expert: What is the duty of an expert and to whom is it owed? 20th Annual Symposium of Arbitrators, Paris.
Freyer, D. H. (2008). Assessing expert evidence. In L. W. Newman & R. D. Hill (Eds.), Leading arbitrators’ guide to international arbitration (p. 439). Juris Publishing.
Furst, S., & Ramsey, V. (2012). Keating on construction contracts (9th ed.). Sweet & Maxwell.
Hernandez-Breton, E. (2009). Expert evidence. In G. Hanessian & L. W. Newman (Eds.), International arbitration checklist (p. 130). Juris Publishing.
Hunter, M. M. (2006). Expert conferencing and new methods. In A. J. Van den Berg (Ed.), International arbitration 2006: Back to basics? ICCA International Arbitration Congress XIII (p. 820). Kluwer Law International.
International Bar Association. (2018). United States – IBA arbitration country guide. IBA.
International Bar Association. (2020). IBA rules on the taking of evidence in international arbitration. IBA.
Jacobs, F. G. (1969). Varieties of approach to treaty interpretation: With special reference to the draft convention on the law of treaties before the Vienna Diplomatic Conference. International & Comparative Law Quarterly, 18(2), 318–346. https://doi.org/10.1093/iclqaj/18.2.318
Jenkinson, P. (1991). Presentation of an experience of expertise during an arbitral proceedings. Arbitration and Expertise, ICC Institute of International Business Law and Practice, Milan.
Jones, D. (2008). Party-appointed expert witnesses in international arbitration: A protocol at last. Arbitration International, 24(1), 137–154. https://doi.org/10.1093/arbitration/24.1.137
Kantor, M. (2008). Valuation for arbitration, compensation standards: Valuation methods and expert evidence. Kluwer Law International.
Kantor, M. (2020). Experts in international and domestic arbitration. Dasteel ADR Blog.
Keane, P. J., & Caletka, A. F. (2008). Delay analysis in construction contracts. Wiley-Blackwell.
Kidd, A., Appelbe, S., & Morgan, A. (2015). The use and abuse of programmes in construction contracts. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Management, Procurement and Law, 168(6), 263–270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/jmapl.14.00044
Linnett, C. (2006). About time: Delay analysis in construction. RICS Books.
London Court of International Arbitration. (2018). Experts in international arbitration. LCIA Perspectives.
Morgan, A., & Gbedemah, S. (2010). How poor project governance causes delays (Paper D113). The Society of Construction Law.
National Justice Compania Naviera S.A. v. Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd. (The Ikarian Reefer), [1993] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 68 (UK High Court).
Pickavance, K. (2010). Delay and disruption in construction contracts (4th ed.). Sweet & Maxwell.
Plant, J., & Gilbey, B. (2024). The role of experts and lawyers in arbitration. Kluwer Arbitration Blog.
Schwarz, F., & Konrad, C. (2009). The Vienna rules: A commentary on international commercial arbitration in Austria. Kluwer Law International.
Singapore Ministry of Law. (2021). Singapore International Arbitration Act (Cap. 143A). CMS Expert Guide: International Arbitration. cms.law
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. (1985). UNCITRAL model law on international commercial arbitration (with amendments as adopted in 2006). United Nations.
Xu, Z., & Li, T. (2020). The use of expert witness in arbitration from the perspective of SHIAC. Kluwer Arbitration Blog.
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