Commercial Disputes and Product Liability
Strange Strange & Gardner provides specialist forensic engineering and expert witness services in commercial disputes, product liability claims, and international arbitration.
We are regularly instructed in technically complex matters involving factory equipment, industrial machinery, and engineered systems, where determining cause, performance, and liability is critical to resolving disputes.
Our experts deliver independent, evidence-based reports and clear, authoritative testimony to assist courts, tribunals, and arbitration panels in reaching informed decisions.
Areas of Expertise
We are experienced in investigating a wide range of engineering and commercial disputes, including:
- Plant and machinery failures
- Failures of factory equipment and industrial systems
- Crane and lifting equipment failures
- Structural failures in buildings and infrastructure
- Equipment failing to meet specification or performance requirements
- Property damage resulting from water ingress, oil leaks, or system failures
Many of these matters involve disputes regarding causation, liability, contractual obligations, and compliance with technical standards, often progressing to litigation or international arbitration proceedings.
International Arbitration
We are regularly instructed in matters subject to international arbitration, where technical clarity and independence are essential.
Our experts assist legal teams and tribunals by:
- Providing independent engineering opinions on complex technical issues
- Preparing detailed reports suitable for arbitral proceedings
- Analysing compliance with international standards, contracts, and specifications
- Presenting clear and concise expert testimony
We understand the procedural and evidential requirements of cross-border disputes, and our reports are structured to meet the expectations of international tribunals and multi-jurisdictional legal teams.
Product Liability Investigations
We provide comprehensive product liability investigations, supporting claims involving alleged defects in design, manufacture, or performance.
Our work includes:
- Assessing whether a product is defective in design, materials, or manufacture
- Evaluating compliance with relevant safety regulations and industry standards
- Reviewing warnings, instructions, and intended use
- Testing products and components to identify failure mechanisms
- Determining whether a product was fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality
We are frequently instructed in disputes involving consumer products, industrial equipment, and factory machinery, where failure has resulted in injury, financial loss, or property damage.
Our forensic engineers have extensive experience investigating failures involving factory equipment and machinery, including production line equipment, automated and mechanical systems, and hydraulic and pneumatic machinery.
Material Failure Analysis
We undertake detailed examination of components, systems, and structures to identify the root cause of failure. This includes analysis of:
- Wear and tear versus premature failure
- Corrosion, fatigue, and stress-related damage
- Material defects or inconsistencies
- Environmental or operational factors
Our findings address key legal questions, including whether failure resulted from inherent defects, poor maintenance, misuse, or external influences.
Supporting Commercial Disputes
A significant proportion of our work involves supporting the legal profession in disputes where technical causation is contested.
We assist by:
- Establishing the sequence of events leading to failure
- Identifying contributing factors and root causes
- Providing clear analysis of liability and responsibility
- Preparing reports suitable for litigation, mediation, and arbitration
Our experts are experienced in presenting complex engineering issues in a manner that is clear, concise, and accessible to judges, arbitrators, and legal professionals.