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Expert Witness
Forensic Fire Engineering Authority for Legal Proceedings
Expert witness instructions demand more than technical knowledge. They require the ability to analyse complex fire engineering issues with precision, communicate findings clearly to legal and non-technical audiences, and present evidence that withstands rigorous cross-examination. At Clarity Fire Engineering, expert witness work is central to what we do.
We are instructed by solicitors, insurers, and building owners in connection with a wide range of fire safety disputes — from First-tier Tribunal proceedings under the Building Safety Act 2022, to litigation, arbitration, and regulatory investigations. Our instructions typically involve detailed technical analysis of existing buildings, assessment of compliance with Building Regulations, and review of fire safety decisions made during design, construction, or refurbishment.
Our expert witness reports are produced to the standards required by CPR Part 35 and the duties owed by an expert to the court. Findings are presented clearly, precisely, and without advocacy — our obligation is to the tribunal or court, not to the party instructing us. That independence is fundamental to the value we provide.
Every instruction is handled personally by a Chartered Engineer with specialist fire engineering expertise and direct experience of tribunal and court proceedings. From initial case review and expert report through to concurrent evidence sessions and cross-examination, we provide the technical clarity that legal teams and decision-makers need to navigate the most complex fire safety disputes.
About Our Principal Expert
Max McCarthy CEng MIFireE MCABE MCIOB is the founder and Principal Fire Engineer at Clarity Fire Engineering. With extensive experience in fire engineering consultancy and a specialist focus on higher-risk residential buildings, Max has been instructed as expert witness in multiple First-tier Tribunal proceedings under the Building Safety Act 2022, including Remediation Contribution Order applications across some of the most complex cases currently before the tribunal.
Max holds Chartered Engineer status and is a Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, the Chartered Association of Building Engineers, and the Chartered Institute of Building. He is a panel assessor for CABE and maintains active doctoral research ties with the University of Hertfordshire in the field of fire engineering and the built environment.
His forensic approach to technical analysis — combining rigorous document review, site investigation, and evidence-led reporting — has established Clarity as a trusted expert witness practice for solicitors, insurers, and building owners navigating the most demanding fire safety disputes.
To find out more about our team and background, visit our About page.