Practical Experience.
Authoritative Expert Opinion.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (FCIPHE), a Licentiate of the City and Guilds of London Institute (LCGI), an Engineering Technician (EngTech), and a member of the Expert Witness Institute. (MEWI)

Russell has been providing independent expert witness services since 2011, delivering reports and evidence in relation to plumbing and heating systems, installation failures, and associated defects. He regularly acts for solicitors, insurers, Trading Standards, and private clients, and has extensive experience acting as both a single joint expert and in adversarial proceedings.

He is experienced in the preparation of CPR Part 35 compliant reports and is familiar with the duties of an expert witness to provide independent, objective, and impartial evidence to assist the Court.

Russell’s expertise covers all aspects of plumbing and heating systems, including system design, installation standards, failure investigation, and compliance with relevant regulations and best practice. His work often involves complex disputes relating to poor workmanship, system defects, water damage, and safety-related incidents.

In addition to his expert witness work, Russell has held senior roles within the construction and building services sector, including Contracts Manager within a national organisation, where he was responsible for developing and managing large-scale operations and multidisciplinary teams.

Russell continues to act as a practising consultant and expert witness, providing clear, practical, and authoritative evidence in support of legal proceedings and dispute resolution.

Darren Stubbs is a Gas Safe registered, multidisciplinary plumbing, heating, and renewable energy expert with over 30 years’ experience, specialising in forensic diagnostics, system failure, and regulatory compliance.

As Co‑Owner and Technical Director of Bralsford, Stubbs & Associates Expert Witness Services Ltd, Darren leads the technical and investigative function of the business, delivering independent expert witness reports and CPR Part 35 compliant evidence to solicitors, insurers, Trading Standards, and private clients.

His expertise spans heating, hot water, and low‑carbon energy systems, including heat pumps (ASHP & GSHP), solar PV, solar thermal, biomass, and communal heating networks. He is regularly instructed in matters involving system underperformance, installation defects, and non‑compliance with regulatory frameworks such as PAS 2030/2035, MCS, ECO/ECO4, TrustMark, and relevant British Standards.

Darren’s background combines hands-on engineering with senior leadership roles within national energy organisations and a leading heat pump manufacturer, alongside industry representation as former Chairman of the Heat Pump Association’s Installer working group. As an Engineering Technician (EngTech) and Member of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (MCIPHE), he brings both professional recognition and practical expertise to complex cases.

This breadth of experience enables him to provide clear, impartial, and technically robust evidence in complex and often high-value disputes.