Joanne M. Williams, MSc, PGDip (Arch), DipArch, BA (Hons), ARB, RIBA, MCIArb
Senior Director, Architect
SERVICES GROUP
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Get to know the expert
Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
Construction defect disputes often involve design, materials, and workmanship all at once — what’s your methodology for isolating the root cause when multiple parties are pointing fingers at each other?
Divide and conquer! A problem that can look overwhelming at first sight will often become legible when broken down systematically into a series of smaller issues, which can be tackled one by one.
What’s the most interesting case you’ve worked on that you can talk about without revealing client details?
Most of my cases run for years, so that is a bit difficult. But what is very interesting is that every project is different and brings new challenges. It is fascinating to me that every time I climb a scaffold or go up in a cherry picker expecting the same fire safety problems I find a new way in which construction can be done poorly. And I never get tired of the views from the top of a high rise building!
What do you wish more people understood about the role of architectural judgement in technical expert witness work?
As an architect, it is deeply ingrained that whoever you are employed by, when administering a contract, you have to act impartially and fairly to all parties. This gives us an advantage when undertaking expert work, when we have to always keep in mind our duty is to the tribunal and not as an advocate for any side.
Background
Joanne is an ARB registered Chartered Architect with more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry as a designer, technical lead, and project delivery manager across a broad range of building types, including residential, education, healthcare, leisure, and industrial sectors. She has a master’s degree in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution and has been undertaking expert witness work for more than 10 years.
Joanne acts as an Expert Witness writing reports in the fields of architecture and construction, including construction defects, professional negligence, design copyright issues, and contract disputes. She also undertakes technical advisory reports in construction insurance-related matters and provides construction advice and contract troubleshooting.
Joanne also writes accommodation reports for people who have incurred personal injury.
Joanne provides dispute resolution assistance, advice, and expertise, including CPR35-compliant reports for court purposes and reports for adjudication and arbitration. She takes part in adjudications, mediations, settlement negotiations, and expert discussions.
Joanne is regularly instructed on behalf of claimants and defendants, and on a single joint expert basis.
Joanne has extensive knowledge and understanding of JCT forms of contract including Standard and Design and Build versions and experience of NEC contracts.
Education and Certifications
- Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, MSc: UCLAN
- Architecture, Professional Practice PgCert (RIBA Part III): Manchester Metropolitan University
- Architecture, DipArch (RIBA Part II): Manchester Metropolitan University
- Architecture and Environmental Design, BA (Hons) (RIBA Part I): University of Nottingham
- Expert Witness Certificate, Cardiff University/Bond Solon (CUBS)
Associations and Memberships
- Registered Architect (ARB)
- Chartered Member: Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
- Member: Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
- Member: Society of Construction Law (SCL)
Contact Information
Testimony Experience
- Adjudications
- Mediations