Services to Law Firms and their Clients - Expert Witness and Related Services

We at Bluett & O’Donoghue Architects have expertise and experience in assisting law firms where expert investigation, reporting and expert witness services are called for. I set out the range of our areas of expertise and services and our Guidelines with regard to the cost policies below:

General Practice Architecture, Conservation Architecture, Project Management.
Planning & Development and Environmental Protection.
Fire and Safety Engineering, Accessibility and Sustainability in the built environment.
Building Regulations Issues – including Building Energy Rating.
Contracts, Contract administration, practice and procedure: Client – Consultant, Employer – Contractor, Contractor – Subcontractor, PPP, DBOF, Collateral Warranties, GCCC Suite, FIDIC Suite, JCT Suite, NEC Suite, RIAI suite, CIF suite, Law Soc. Building Agreement.
ADR, Expert Determination - and related services.

Peter Bluett, B.Arch., Sc., Dip. Arch., M.Sc., (Fire Engineering), MRIAI, MI(Fire)E.Senior Architect, Chartered Engineer.

James O’Donoghue Dip.Arch., B.(Arch)Sc., C.Arb., A.M., Dip.Proj.Man., Dip.Arb., , Dip.I.C.Arb., F.R.I.A.I., R.I.B.A., F.C.I.Arb. Chartered Architect (Intl.), Chartered Arbitrator, Accredited Mediator (CEDR,CIArb).

Michael O’Boyle B.Arch., MUBC, MRIAI, Senior Architect, Conservation Architect Grade 1.

Cormac O’Sullivan B.Arch., M.Phil. (Urb’ and Reg’ Planning), IHBC, MRTPI, MIPI, MRIAI, Senior Architect, Chartered Planner.

Senior Architectural Technologists - full range of presentation graphics; CAD, photography and Powerpoint.

Investigations, Reports and pre-Hearing Services :
In line with Law Society Guidelines on fees, we are mindful of the nature, complexity and scale of the matters referred. We are mindful of the continuity aspects and the importance of proportionality.
The rates below are of a guidance nature. A quotation can be provided upon confidential reading of a synopsis of case details - and consultation (typically by phone) with the Practitioner concerned.
In cases which are uncertain in terms of likely time requirement, we should be able to provide an indicative cost range. We are willing to engage in not to exceed figure agreements which can suit Clients with Purchase Order regimes.

Senior Architect, Senior Architect/Chartered Engineer, Senior Architect/Chartered Planner €180 -€280 per hour.
Senior Architectural Technologist €90 - €125 per hour.
Administrative Staff (if extensive assistance is required) €50 - €65 per hour.

Attendance at Hearing Court, Arbitration or other Tribunals : - guideline:
(attendance rate for day or part day whether called for examination or attending on standby – to include pre-Hearing consultations and case conferences on the day):

District Court or small Arbitration cases €500.
Circuit Court or medium scale Court or Arbitration – claims below c. €40,000 €980.
High Court, Arbitration - Claims above c. €40,000 €1,200.
High Court, Commercial Court, Arbitration - complex cases - €1,500 - €2,500.

Outlays – At Cost:
Printing / copying, in-house: - per charges made and approved by Planning Authorities / Public Authorities.
Travel: 90c per Km. VAT: applicable at rate for professional services, currently 21%.

Enquiries: Marie Flahive, Financial Controller, marie.flahive@boda.ie

Dublin T +353 (0) 1 8656265 F +353 (0) 1 8656264
Kilkenny T +353 (0) 56 7762907 F +353 (0) 56 7765309