We instructed Steve as the Pursuers’ expert in a recent diving fatality case. He displayed a very sound understanding of the relevant law teamed with a wealth of hands-on experience in the offshore industry. He was instrumental in the ultimate success of a complicated case.
Lindsay DavidsonLEFEVRES

About me – Steve Garven

Starting as a sports diver in the 70’s before training as an offshore commercial diver in the 80’s, I have gone on to gather a wealth of knowledge and experience on some of the largest, high profile and technically complex projects in some of the nicest, and sorriest, locations across the globe in very senior roles in the Inshore, Onshore, and Offshore Oil & Gas industry.

I worked on my 1st expert witness case more than 18 years ago. It was a loss of earnings/potential earnings claim by a diver against a Health Trust. I was totally unprepared and, had no concept of what I was getting involved in. It was a real ‘baptism of fire’ and a lesson I have learned from to this day.

Over the last two decades, I have built my reputation as a credible, thoughtful, perceptive, and reliable Expert Witness, Expert Consultant, and Expert Determinator with many major legal firms and tier one contracting companies. Many are repeat clients who now consider me as their first point of communication.

My primary focus is all areas of commercial Air and Saturation diving, maritime, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and subsea operations, but my expert witness and expert consultancy work has now expanded into the marine and sports chartering areas of sports and recreational diving, fishing, sailing, cruise.

In addition to being accredited by the Expert Witness Institute, I am also on their Membership Committee. I am accredited by The Academy of Experts, fully vetted, and registered, with the Law Society of Scotland. Have a wealth of experience as an Expert Determination (TAE Rules), in Early Expert Evaluation and an Accident/Incident Investigation Root Cause Specialist.

In the area of Mediation, I am an accredited CEDR Mediator and a registered Mediator with the Civil Mediation Council.

I am also proud to be a Trustee and Director of The Clyde Maritime Trust which owns, and operates, The Tall Ship ‘Glenlee’ the only 3 masted Clyde built sailing ship still afloat in the world.

Established & Reliable

Steve Garven is an established global subject matter expert, expert witness and expert advisor who takes instructions in diving, ROV and subsea cases anywhere in the world.

In my privileged position as your expert, I will use my experience, care, and skill to fulfil your instructions to the best of my ability and shall comply with all relevant laws and applicable regulations.

Qualifications

  • Academy of Experts (TAE)
  • Institute of Expert Witnesses (EWI)
  • Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR)
  • Civil Mediation Council (CMC)

Memberships

  • Expert Witness Institute
  • The Academy of Experts
  • Law Society of Scotland
  • Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution
  • Civil Mediation Council
  • Society of Underwater Technology
  • Subsea UK

Practice Areas

  • Diving Expert Witness
  • Diving Expert Advisor
  • Statutory and Regulatory Compliance
  • Expert Determinator
  • Early Expert Evaluation
  • Diving Accident / Incident Investigation
  • Diving Fatal Accident Enquiry
  • Diving Forensic Auditing and Assurance
  • Commercial Mediator

Links to

My approach

I am current, remain deeply involved and active in diving industry as a whole.

I am a straight talker, my reports are written in the style of this website, easily read and, understood without uncomplicated verbiage where less is more!

In retaining my medicals and certification to go offshore, holding senior consultancy, subject matter expert, and diving technical authority roles with many major operators enables me to attend site investigations, Inquiries, reconstructions and to maintain my industry currency to keep my own knowledge fresh and informed – a crucial element, in my opinion, for any practicing Expert.

My professional standards and expectations are extremely high. No two cases are ever the same. Each case is unique. I always plan and prepare that every case will to go to court.

Training & Competence

Full details of my industry, expert and related training can be found on my online CV

Testimonials

“We instructed Steve as the Pursuers’ expert in a recent diving fatality case. He displayed a very sound understanding of the relevant law teamed with a wealth of hands-on experience in the offshore industry. He was instrumental in the ultimate success of a complicated case.”

“Steve has been very helpful and responded professionally to all our requests for comment and response to the developments of the case. (especially since it was a somewhat unusual case from a legal prospective!) His expert knowledge of the diving industry, practicalities, technicalities and reality of diving operations would, in my opinion, be of great assistance to any case, be it pursuer or defender instructed.”

“I would just like to take this opportunity of thanking you for your help and support and your able analysis of the technical aspects. It was also very useful and assisted counsel in understanding the causes of the incident. We will certainly revert to you if we have a similar case in the future.”

“I had the pleasure of working with Steve in 2017 and again 2018, we were both at different companies and in different regions yet the job at hand was similar. Steve is a consummate Professional, extremely knowledgeable and excellent communicator. A few words that best describe Steve are, venerable, savvy, and a person of high integrity. I would consider Steve an expert in the Subject of HSE, IMCA, IOGP, and diving best practices the world over, and he would be my first call if an expert witness was needed for any Subsea testimony”

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Steve over the past few years on several very high profile and technical projects. His attention to operational detail never fails me. I’ve found him to be uniquely competent and I would highly recommend Steve for any project big or small. His knowledge and experience make such a difference when it comes to understanding the issues and coming up with a solution!”

“I had the pleasure to have Steve review my work related to hyperbaric evacuation. He turned out t be a very knowledgeable person who can explain highly complex systems & procedures in a way that it is understandable to everybody. Also his level of detail is worth noticing. All in all I can sincerely recommend Steve when u are looking for a Diving operations expert with high attention to detail. ”

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