I read with interest the excellent article entitled “Dear site diary” by Andrew Farrer (8 October, page 34).

From long experience of dealing with dispute resolution I have found that a competently maintained site diary is often invaluable in resolving disputes, whether by negotiation or more formal methods.

It is normally kept by site managers, clerks of works and resident engineers. The information is recorded by persons with first-hand knowledge of what is actually happening on the site, and is usually done so in an unbiased and dispassionate manner. Often it is the only reliable contemporary record available and as such carries a great deal of weight. It will be a great loss if this age-old practice is allow to fall into disuse.

Roger Knowles, chairman, Knowles Legal Services

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