VALUER
REPORT STANDARD
SOLICITOR LIAISON
REPORT TURNAROUND
What Is an Expert Witness Valuation?
A residential expert witness is a qualified professional who provides independent, objective evidence in property-related legal disputes. As RICS-qualified chartered surveyors, we act as impartial valuation experts to the court — not advocates for either party.
Our role is to provide factual, technical evidence that helps judges, solicitors and tribunals understand complex property matters — with clear explanations written for non-technical readers.
EVERY REPORT PROVIDES
- Independent, objective assessment based on technical expertise
- Clear explanation of how the valuation is reached
- Opinions backed by industry standards and comparable evidence
- Photographic evidence and detailed drawings where appropriate
- Availability for experts' meetings and court attendance if required
Part 35 Compliant, Court-Ready Reports
Every report is prepared in full compliance with Civil Procedure Rules Part 35 and its Practice Direction: the expert’s overriding duty to the court, a statement of truth, and the qualifications, methodology and factual basis set out for scrutiny.
That duty is to the court — not to the party instructing us. This independence is what makes the evidence carry weight, and it means you get an honest assessment of your position, even if it’s not what you hoped to hear.
Cases We Take
Matrimonial & divorce
An impartial market valuation for the fair division of property assets in family proceedings.
Probate disputes
Valuation evidence where an estate’s figure is contested between beneficiaries or with HMRC.
Boundary & negligence claims
Diminution in value and technical valuation evidence for property litigation.
Shared ownership disputes
Independent valuations where the staircasing or resale figure is challenged.
SJE and Party Instructions
Single Joint Expert (SJE)
Appointed jointly by both parties — impartial evidence prepared to the same Part 35 standard, with correspondence handled even-handedly throughout.
Single party instructions
Instructed by one party — the duty to the court is unchanged, and the evidence is prepared to the same impartial standard.
Joint statements
Meetings and joint statements with the opposing expert, narrowing the issues ahead of trial.
The Expert Witness Process
Instruction & scoping
We review the letter of instruction and case documentation, confirm scope, timescales and a clear fee structure.
Inspection & analysis
A thorough site inspection and comprehensive analysis of all relevant documentation and comparable evidence.
Part 35 report
A meticulously detailed, clearly written report — followed by experts’ meetings and court attendance if required.
Why Credibility Matters
In legal proceedings, the credibility of your expert witness can make or break your case. Our team and network of RICS Registered Valuers bring professional standing, extensive local market knowledge, and experience presenting evidence clearly.
CREDENTIALS
- RICS Registered Valuers, RICS regulated firm
- CPR Part 35 duties understood and declared in every report
- Experience across matrimonial, probate and property litigation
THE RED BOOK STANDARD
What a Red Book Valuation Means
Every valuation we provide is carried out by a RICS Registered Valuer and reported to the RICS Valuation — Global Standards, known as the “Red Book”. That’s what makes the figure defensible: a consistent, evidence-based method, comparable sales, and a report format that institutions trust.
- ✓ RICS Registered Valuer
- ✓ Red Book methodology
- ✓ Accepted by HMRC, lenders, housing associations & courts
Expert Witness FAQs
Do you accept SJE and single party instructions?
Both. We act as Single Joint Expert where the parties have agreed or the court has directed one, and we accept instructions from an individual party where separate experts are appointed. In either case the duty is the same: under Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules, our overriding duty is to the court, not to whoever instructs or pays us. We also prepare answers to Part 35 questions and participate in experts’ discussions and joint statements where directed.
Can your valuers attend court?
Yes. Our reports are written to stand on their own, and in practice most matters settle without a hearing — but where attendance is required, the valuer who prepared the report will attend for cross-examination. Availability for hearing dates is confirmed at the point of instruction, so listing isn’t put at risk by an unavailable expert.
How are fees structured?
Fees are agreed in writing before instruction, based on the scope of the work — the property, the valuation date or dates, and the form of report required. The report fee is fixed once scope is confirmed; further work such as Part 35 questions, joint statements or court attendance is quoted separately, so instructing parties can give costs estimates with confidence. Contact us with the outline of the matter and we’ll confirm a fee the same day where possible.
Can you value at a historic date for a dispute?
Yes — retrospective valuation is central to this work. Matrimonial matters may turn on value at separation or at the date of the marriage; contested estates on the date of death; professional negligence claims on the property’s true value at the date of the disputed advice. We value as at the date the dispute requires, supported by comparable evidence from that period, and set out the reasoning so the figure can withstand examination.