Dispute Resolution

Retaining Wall Failure

Contact: Jack Bennett

Type of Project
Expert Witness
Civil and Structural Engineering

Outline of Project
A major, national UK contractor, whilst excavating in front of an existing 8m high masonry retaining wall to construct an access road into a new healthcare facility noticed that the wall had started to move forward.

The section of wall had to be demolished. The owners of the ground behind the wall pursued the contractor for loss of land. The contractor disputed that the fault was his and the contractor's solicitors instructed Cadogan Consultants to provide an opinion.

The issues addressed were as follows.

• Contractual responsibilities and relationships
• Design responsibilities
• CDM Regulations including health and safety plans
• Construction drawings
• Method Statements
• Contract correspondence and instructions

The issues were considered and analysed and the opinion given that the contractor was not to blame.

key skills used by cadogan consultants

• Contractual experience
• Engineering analysis
• Report writing
• Assisting legal team