Magdalena Prus, FCiarb, MSc (Const. Law), ARB, RIBA, DipArch, BA (Hons)
Associate Director, Architecture
Get to know the expert
Background
Magdalena Prus is a Chartered Architect with 15 years’ experience and holds a master’s degree in construction law and Dispute Resolution from King’s College, London. She has been appointed as a technical expert on more than 20 occasions. In her role as an Expert Witness and Forensic Architect, Magdalena has been involved in the analysis of a wide range of technical issues in adjudication and litigation proceedings, relating to residential and commercial buildings, schools, hotels, hospitals and car park structures across the UK. She has acted on behalf of building owners, housing association clients, developers, contractors, and the architect’s insurers on disputes with values of up to £2.6 million. Magdalena’s international experience includes working as part of a wider expert team on high-value claims in international arbitrations, relating to university projects, infrastructure, and hospitals in the Middle East.
As an Expert Witness, Magdalena has been instructed to work on projects involving various investigations and analysis of evidence relating to issues such as design and building defects, water ingress, internal and external fire protection, building fabric degradation, and professional negligence, including contract administration. As part of her investigations, Magdalena has carried out site inspections, including post-fire sites, and coordinated water testing and intrusive opening-up works. She has prepared Advice Notes and CPR-compliant Expert Reports for submission in adjudication, litigation, and arbitration proceedings.
Magdalena is familiar with all stages of the design, planning and construction processes for new build, refurbishment and interior design schemes, including residential and commercial buildings. Whilst working in architectural practice, Magdalena has also been involved in the design of developments in historic and sensitive contexts such as Listed Buildings, Green Belt and Conservation Areas, and has carried out detailed historical surveys.
Education and Certifications
- Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, MSc: King’s College London, UK
- Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice and Management in Architecture (RIBA Part III): University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
- Professional Diploma in Architecture (RIBA Part II): London Metropolitan University, UK
- Design and Environment (Architecture), BA (Hons): Central St Martins College of Art and Design, London, UK (RIBA Part I exemption, 2011)
Associations and Memberships
- Fellow: Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCiarb)
- Chartered Member: Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
- Registered: The Architects Registration Board (ARB UK)
- Member: The Society of Construction Law (SCL)
- Member: King’s College Construction Law Association (KCCLA)
- Member: The Adjudication Society
- Member: Arbitral Women
- Member: The Dispute Resolution Board Foundation
Publications
- “Fire safety and digital records in dispute resolution”, Magdalena Prus and Saray Keyte, Fire & Risk Management by the Fire Protection Association, March 2026.
- “Rola technicznego eksperta (expert witness) w sporach budowlanych: praktyki z Wielkiej Brytanii”, Magdalena Prus, Konsultant Biuletyn Stowarzyszenie Inżynierów Doradców i Rzeczoznawców, January 2026.
- “Architectural Specification – Common challenges and best practices”, Magdalena Prus, Fire & Risk Management by the Fire Protection Association, January 2025.
- “How can we make Henry Ford-style housebuilding work?”, Magdalena Prus and Mariya Rankin, Building Magazine, December 2024.
- “Inspecting fire protection elements of construction– an Architect’s Perspective”, Magdalena Prus, Fire & Risk Management by the Fire Protection Association, July 2024.
- “The design considerations for internal fire protection– an Architect’s Perspective”, Magdalena Prus, Fire & Risk Management by the Fire Protection Association, March 2024.
- “Fire Protection to Structural Steelwork – an Architect’s Perspective”, Magdalena Prus, Fire & Risk Management by the Fire Protection Association, January 2024.
- “Fire Strategy in St James’s Oncology v Lendlease and the Building Safety Act – an Architect’s Perspective”, Magdalena Prus and Tony Davis, Fire & Risk Management by the Fire Protection Association, July 2023.
- “Martlet v Mulalley: Design Considerations of a ‘Reasonable’ Architect on Fire-Safety Issues Post-Grenfell”, Magdalena Prus and Tony Davis, JS Held, November 2022, RIBA Journal, December 2022, BD-Online, January 2023.
- “Practical Completion: The New Context for Certifying Higher-Risk Buildings in England”, Magdalena Prus, JS Held, August 2022.
- “Independence and Impartiality in Arbitration”, Magdalena Prus, Perspective Journal by Probyn Miers, October 2017.