Industry Focus – with Christine Leigh
Career steps and guidance with Fire Engineering Expert Witness Christine Leigh FCABE C.Builde E
Q. What is your current role and how long have you been in the position?
A. I am currently employed by Ridge and Partners LLP as an Expert Witness in Fire Safety Engineering. My specialisms lie in fire safety and fire safety construction defects; I have extensive experience in building regulations, building design, fire safety design and appraisal and risk assessment, building surveying, building pathology, defect analysis and building remediation.
I have over 23 years of experience in building regulations, building pathology and fire safety, and have worked on several matters relating to fire safety defects. I joined Ridge recently because I wanted to focus more on fire-related disputes and to work with a reputable, established technical disputes team.
Having a multidisciplinary technical expert business department supported by researchers immersed within a large, live project practice really works well for an expert witness as assistance is readily available. I am appointed by solicitors to offer independent, unbiased advice and expert evidence on disputes regarding construction defects relating to fire safety and building safety. I am enthused to work alongside and learn from a multidisciplinary team of experts who have a wealth of experience in disputes and litigation, both nationally and internationally.
The work I get involved with is expansive and varied, always keeping me interested and busy given that fire safety experts are in such great demand currently. I visit sites to survey and assess the building construction and fire safety provisions and I also review evidence in the form of documents and witness statements, upon which I base my opinion. I also attend expert meetings where I get the opportunity to compare my understanding and opinions with another expert. This really helps to narrow the issues and to understand our differences, which in turn assists with preparation for the hearing.
Q. What route did you take to your current role?
A. As mentioned, I have over 23 years of experience working in the construction industry, working in areas of building control, building regulations and fire safety; my years of experience and qualifications have naturally led me into Expert Advisor and Expert Witness type work, which I very much enjoy.
To further enhance my skills and knowledge in this area, I recently undertook the Advanced Professional Award in Expert Witness Evidence at SFR BTEC Level 7 (equivalent to a master’s degree level). I cannot stress enough how important this type of training is. In undertaking this type of work, it is essential to ensure that you understand your role as an expert, i.e. understanding disclosure, privilege, confidentiality, bias, personal indemnity insurance and other legal concepts in evidence and your obligations under relevant rules in the Criminal Procedure Rules and Practice Directions. The consequences of getting it wrong are serious and experts found to be in breach of procedural rules can face a criminal trial for contempt of court. Most of this is learned by initially assisting a lead expert. At Ridge we build our team in this way, by taking experienced and qualified technical people and providing the training for them to become experts in their own right.
But going further back to the start of my journey…
Following completion of my A Levels, I was uncertain about which career path to take. I thought building surveying seemed interesting, so attended a local university open evening and found that routes into the construction industry were wide-ranging. Therefore, I opted for a ‘two-on-two’ course, comprised of a two-year Higher National Diploma in Built Environment Studies and two-year BSc in Building Surveying.
The Built Environment Studies modules covered everything from building surveying, quantity surveying, structures and technical design. This provided relevant knowledge and skills in construction but also provided a little taster of the types of career options available - for those readers who are undecided, I think this is a great route to take.
Although my degree provided a sound understanding of construction and surveying, in my first role as Building Control Surveyor I found that most of my skills and knowledge were gained through on-the-job learning. At this point, my employer also funded a postgraduate diploma in Building Surveying. After a number of years in building control, I decided to apply for full membership status with CABE; I considered this would not only demonstrate my competence but would strengthen my professional status within the marketplace.
I also picked up a number of qualifications along the way, including an accredited certificate in Party Wall studies and a Diploma in Passive Fire Protection Inspection. After a good number of years’ experience, my membership with CABE was upgraded to Fellow. I enjoy continuing to learn, which is something you can do through working on disputes.
In fire safety, however, a lot of my learning and development has been experiential - working alongside experts in the field and overseeing large complex buildings whilst employed in building control and fire safety positions.
Q. Was this role a career aim for you from the outset?
A. My career journey has taken many twists and turns. I started out as a Building Control Surveyor in local authority some 20+ years ago, working my way up to Building Control Manager and then moving across to the private sector as a Consultant Approved Inspector. As my professional abilities developed, the buildings I worked on became increasingly complex, forging a particular interest in the fire safety aspects of the projects I was working on. Soon thereafter I decided I wanted to specialise in this area.
During my time working for fire safety consultancies, I had the chance to work on a variety of disputes, including the development of fire strategies for new-build prisons and museums. I also undertook façade/cladding design reviews, Fire Risk Assessment of External Walls to PAS 9980 and carried out passive and structural fire protection surveys. I also gained experience working with design teams to devise remedial schemes.
It was in my previous position as a fire engineer that I was introduced to expert witness work. I really enjoyed the forensic investigation and analysis of the building defects and contemporaneous project information that is required to get to the crux of the issue. Becoming an expert witness seemed the perfect next step for me.
A. I haven’t had a dedicated mentor during my career, however at every organisation I always worked alongside my peers and absorbed their knowledge and expertise. At a networking event once, I met someone who said that you should surround yourself with people who are better than you – I concur with this sentiment and find that embracing the company of those who possess greater knowledge and skills than yourself can be a powerful catalyst for personal development.
Speaking of personal development, I took the opportunity a number of years ago to apply for the position of CABE Chair of the North West Region, and more recently I was elected to the CABE Board. These are voluntary positions however they allow me to give something back to industry as well as contributing to the future direction of the Association.
These functions have also brought invaluable experience as to how a membership organisation operates and is governed. This experience has also helped me to develop soft skills and strengthen my public speaking. I would highly recommend that members consider contributing towards their regions, or to contact CABE for further information regarding the Board election process.
Q. Are there any other positions in the built environment sector that appeal to you?
A. Personally, I have a real passion and interest in heritage buildings. I’m a member of the National Trust and enjoy visiting their sites in my spare time.
I have only worked on a handful of heritage and listed buildings throughout my career but have thoroughly enjoyed those opportunities. I love the complex challenges that historic buildings pose, it is a fine balance between identifying issues and assessing solutions to achieve the adequate level of fire safety without compromising the historical value. I would be thrilled with further involvement in this sector to help preserve our heritage for the future.
Further guidance:
- The Crown Prosecution Service’s definition of Expert Witness is as follows: “Expert evidence is admissible to furnish the court with information which is likely to be outside the experience and the knowledge of a judge or jury. An expert witness can provide the court with a statement of opinion on any admissible matter calling for expertise by the witness if they are qualified to give such an opinion.”
- Christine undertook the qualification Advanced Professional Award in Expert Witness Evidence (APAEWE) at SFR BTEC Level 7 through the learning and development consultancy Legal Expert Witness Training. The course is held live virtually and is interactive. Examinations are held upon course completion, including open-book written examinations and oral cross-examination.
- Christine mentions that as her career and experience progressed, she worked up to the CABE Membership grade of Fellow Chartered Building Engineer. The highest level of CABE Membership, it is awarded only to the industry’s most experienced professionals and to those who can demonstrate their senior professional expertise. To better understand how CABE Membership can support you at all stages of your career, from Student to Fellow, take a look at our Membership pages at cbuilde.com