A review helps identify sampling breaches, insufficient reasoning, conclusions inconsistent with source data or failure to answer material questions.

When it is needed

a dispute over contamination or the quality of soil or the fertile soil layer;
a land, environmental, construction or neighbour dispute;
the need to prepare questions for court proceedings;
the need to check an existing opinion or laboratory test report;
purchase, lease, reclamation or restoration of a land parcel.

What can be established

The actual condition of the soil, signs of soil cover disturbance, a preliminary indication of the nature of contamination, the need for laboratory tests, the relevance of selected parameters to the dispute and the quality of a previous examination.

Important: the final set of parameters depends on the object, site history, disputed circumstances and the court's or Customer's questions.

A review of a soil science opinion checks whether the examination addresses the case questions and whether the samples and data used are suitable. It separately assesses whether soil science, environmental, cadastral and valuation tasks have been confused.

Subject of examination

The opinion and its appendices
The sampling plan and laboratory data
Substantiation of the causes, area and consequences of changes

Sample questions for the expert

Do the objects examined correspond to the questions posed?
Are the sampling locations, depths and background conditions justified?
Do conclusions about causes and area follow from the data supplied?
Are limitations, assumptions and the need for other specialists stated?

The final questions are formulated according to the objects and circumstances of the particular task.

What to prepare

The full text of the opinion and all appendices
The questions and list of materials provided to the expert
Sampling records, plans and laboratory test reports
Documents and observations contradicting the conclusions

How the examination is conducted

Comments are formulated around verifiable sections of the opinion: object, samples, method, result and conclusion. The effect of each material shortcoming on the answer is explained.

Scope and limitations

A review does not produce new sample test results. Without appendices and primary data, some questions may remain unverified.

What the deliverable records

A focused analysis is prepared, identifying the conclusions checked, material shortcomings and additional materials needed.

Inquiry

Describe the task

Specify the site area, address/district, what needs to be proved and which documents are already available.

Your nameContact phone number or email *Briefly describe the task *Documents, site photographs, records, plans and laboratory results I give consent to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of considering and responding to my enquiry.

How data is processed: Personal Data Processing Policy. Attach only materials relevant to the inspection; obscure unnecessary data about other people.

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An initial estimate can be made from a description, documents, photographs and information about the land parcel.

Attachments: up to 10 files of up to 10 MB each, with a maximum combined size of 15 MB. If a file is rejected, the enquiry is not sent.

Review of a soil science examination