Expert Witness Services

Our specialisation lies in delivering meticulous analyses, preparing independent expert reports, and offering clear and authoritative testimony in adherence to the procedural rules of various arbitral institutions and in ad hoc arbitrations. Holding advanced degrees and extensive industry experience, we ensure that complex scientific and technical issues are presented in a manner that is easily understood and compellingly communicated.

Academic and Professional Credentials 

• Ph.D.
• Chartered Scientist (CSci)
• Chartered Chemist (CChem)
• Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (MCSFS)
• Member of the Institute of Corrosion (MICorr)
• Member of the Nautical Institute (MNI)
• Member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB)

Notably, our Director of Science Dr. Luigi Petrone is a member of the prestigious Baltic Expert Witness Association (BEWA) and holds supporting memberships with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) and the Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG).

Notable case examples

NOVA’s experts have been engaged to provide expert reports and testimonies in a wide range of disputes, including but not limited to: 

• Failure of ballast tank coatings both at newbuildings and while in service
• Damage to coating systems in cargo tanks
• Defective antifouling coating systems
• Hull fouling disputes
• Damage to soybean cargoes
• Hardening of cement cargo in cargo holds
• Off-specification of liquid chemicals and Clean Petroleum Products
• Bunker fuel and fuel cargo quality disputes
• Release of toxic gases from biodegradation of fishmeal
• Cause of explosion of Styrene Monomer in cargo tanks
• Wetting (caking) of fertilisers, sugars and soda ash
• Liquefaction of nickel ore and iron ore fines
• Hardening of cement in cargo holds