The Hampden Consultancy

The Hampden Consultancy, established in 1993, is the trading name of THC Consulting Engineers Limited and specialises in assisting clients in resolving technical and contractual problems with respect to mechanical and electrical engineering services that can (and often do!) occur on many construction projects, whether during the pre-contract or construction phases, or indeed post-contract.

Bob Swayne, the managing director of The Hampden Consultancy, is a qualified building services consulting engineer with over 50 years of experience in the design, specification, installation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical engineering services for healthcare, commercial, retail, educational, residential and leisure facilities located both within the UK and the Middle East.
Since starting The Hampden Consultancy in 1993, Bob Swayne has been frequently involved in the dispute resolution process, providing technical opinions and preparing expert reports on matters relating to mechanical and electrical engineering services in claims valued between £10,000 and £15 million.

As part of his duties Bob Swayne has provided advice to clients and their legal representatives in respect to the technical and/or contractual aspects related to mechanical and electrical engineering services, including issues concerning the maintenance of such installations, as well as issues relating to professional negligence by members of design and/or project management teams.

To that end, Bob Swayne often acts as an expert adviser in the first instance, preparing reports on issues relating to the failings of installed mechanical and electrical engineering services on behalf of clients and their legal representatives, considering possible litigation/adjudication/arbitration proceedings, looking objectively at a dispute from all perspectives and outlining the technical merits or otherwise of the particular claim.

Bob Swayne is also a Council Member of BSRIA (Building Services Research & Information Association), and as such he sits on several technical committees, helping to prepare technical publications on a number of topics related to mechanical and electrical engineering services, including providing input as a result of his expert witness work. He is also a member of the BSRIA Publications Panel, reviewing technical documents ahead of publication.

This extensive experience and depth of knowledge means that Bob Swayne is in high demand as an expert witness, using his technical expertise and wide experience to encourage parties to a dispute to seek settlement and agreement in preference to litigation wherever possible.

Indeed, in 90-95% of claims on which Bob Swayne has been appointed, these have settled in his clients’ favour following the issue of an expert report without the need for the parties to have further recourse to the legal process, be it litigation, arbitration or adjudication. However, where necessary, Bob Swayne has given oral evidence in in the Technology & Construction Court and at arbitration and adjudication hearings across the UK.

Bob Swayne also takes instructions in matters pertaining to professional negligence claims involving mechanical and electrical engineering services consultancies.
For further details of our capabilities and to obtain a current curriculum vitae in respect of Bob Swayne, please contact The Hampden Consultancy on enquiries@thehampdenconsultancy.com