Niralee is a Chartered Architect with over 10 years of construction industry experience. She has been appointed as an architect expert witness on a variety of technical issues and has supported the named expert on numerous occasions.

Niralee’s experience in architectural practice covered the RIBA Plan of Work Stages, including building contracts, consultant appointments, feasibility studies, statutory approvals, developed design, site inspections, and the CDM Principal Designer role. She has broad experience of designing different building types with a specific focus on Build to Rent, co-location and mixed-use residential projects. Niralee has been responsible for other architects and technicians, including design coordination across multi-disciplinary project teams.

Niralee specialises in the forensic investigation of building defects, including fire safety and basement waterproofing, where she has undertaken site investigations, reviewed other experts’ reports, re-constructed building models from architectural drawings and produced multiple expert reports for disputed claims. These claims include allegations of architectural professional negligence and regulatory compliance with the Building Regulations and other jurisdictions’ building codes. She is also experienced in opining on the intersection between different design consultants’ responsibility and scope.

Niralee is registered with the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). She was elected to the RIBA Council in 2023, representing London members. In addition to her architecture qualifications, she holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Nottingham and the Expert Witness Civil Certificate from Cardiff University Bond Solon.

Qualifications

LLB (Hons) Law
BA (Hons) Architecture RIBA I
MArch Architecture RIBA II
PgDip Professional Practice in Architecture RIBA III

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ARTICLES BY THIS EXPERT

The definition of a forensic architect can vary between cases, companies and jurisdictions, similar to the role of an architect. The role and service provided also depends on the construction stage that expertise is sought. However, the overarching role of a forensic architect is to provide an independent, unbiased, expert opinion on an alleged defect or non-compliance involving a property.
An architect is a qualified, registered professional. Their role is to design, support, manage and advise in the procurement of built environment projects. This broad position covers aesthetic design, technical construction, construction law, planning policy, project management and budgeting.

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