Expert witness valuations
Court-Compliant Expert Witness Reports
A court-compliant expert witness report is an independent valuation prepared to the standards required for litigation, where our overriding duty is to the court — not to whoever instructs us. Most are prepared under Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules; we also act under Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules.
"When clarity and impartiality matter most, our court-compliant expert witness valuations deliver robust, independent reports — helping you resolve matrimonial and legal matters fairly."
Most of these reports are undertaken by Chartered Surveyors with 20+ years' experience. Professional CVs for our expert witnesses are linked below.
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What is a court-compliant expert witness report?
It is an independent valuation, prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer, that meets the procedural rules for evidence used in a dispute — so it can be relied on and, if necessary, stand up to cross-examination. The defining feature is that the expert's overriding duty is owed to the court, regardless of who instructs or pays.
Valuations prepared for litigation are some of the most demanding work we do — and among the most interesting. By far the largest part is valuing the home in a divorce or separation, alongside cases of property fraud or abuse of trust and, occasionally, professional negligence by another valuer. We work only on valuations, not surveys, and prepare our reports in line with the RICS guidance Surveyors Acting as Expert Witnesses.
Is the report under Part 35 or Part 25?
Both — it depends on the type of proceedings, and we tell you which applies before we start.
Part 35 (CPR)
The majority of our court-compliant reports comply with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules 1998, which governs experts in civil litigation — for example professional negligence or contested asset values.
Part 25 (FPR)
We also prepare reports under Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules, which governs experts in family proceedings — most often the valuation of the home in a divorce or separation.
What kinds of cases do you act in?
Most of our court-compliant reports are civil matters prepared under Part 35, though the subject matter varies — and we also act in family proceedings under Part 25.
- Property fraud or abuse of trust — where property has been misappropriated or dealt with improperly.
- Professional negligence — assessing whether another valuer's opinion fell short of the standard reasonably expected.
- Divorce and separation — valuing the home, or other property, so assets can be divided fairly. Divorce is by far the largest part of our separation valuation work overall; where it forms part of court proceedings, the report falls under Part 25. See our divorce and separation valuations.
Who can instruct you?
Most instructions reach us through solicitors, but some come directly from the parties — and we are happy to take a joint instruction as a single joint expert. Whichever route you use, and whoever pays, our duty to the court does not change: the valuation is the same.
If a report you ask us for may be used in current or future litigation, it is important to tell us at the outset. That way we can make sure it is compliant and ready to be relied on, rather than having to be redone later.
Why an ordinary valuation isn't enough for court
A court-compliant report has to do more than state a figure. It needs additional detail to meet regulatory requirements, and for a practical reason too: the court reads it without ever having seen the property, so the home has to be described and evidenced far more fully than in a report written for someone who already knows it.
A standard valuation isn't built for that. Tell us at the outset that litigation is involved, and we will prepare the report to the right standard from the start.
How to get an accurate quote
Because this work varies so much, a few details up front let us scope it properly and quote a fixed fee. When you contact us, please tell us:
- The full property addressIncluding postcode.
- The number of bedroomsThis helps us judge what's involved so we can quote appropriately.
- The names of the partiesIdeally let us know these so we can check we don't have a conflict of interest.
- Any extra requirementsMost instructions need only the Market Value. But if you need more — for example Market Value at two different dates, the value with and without changes made to the property, or the market rent as well — please tell us when requesting a quote, so we can advise you properly.
Are tribunal cases the same as court cases?
No. Applications to the First-tier Tribunal for leasehold reform matters — lease extensions and collective enfranchisement — are not litigious matters in the same sense. They are valuation tribunals rather than courts, although many of the same rules of evidence and conduct still apply, and we act in these too.
Your expert witnesses
Court-compliant work is led by directors who are RICS Registered Valuers with extensive expert witness experience. Their full professional CVs are available to download:
- Overriding duty to the court
- RICS Registered Valuers
- Compliant with Surveyors Acting as Expert Witnesses
- Single joint expert instructions welcome
Example report — see the format and standard we work to:
View an example court-compliant reportCourt report & expert witness FAQs
What is a court-compliant expert witness report?
It is an independent valuation, prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer to the standards required for use in a dispute, where the expert's overriding duty is owed to the court rather than to whoever instructs or pays. It is evidenced and compliant so it can be relied on as evidence.
Is your report prepared under Part 35 or Part 25?
Both, depending on the proceedings. Most of our court-compliant reports comply with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules, which governs experts in civil litigation. We also prepare reports under Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules, which applies in family proceedings such as divorce. We confirm which set of rules applies before we begin.
Who can instruct you — me or my solicitor?
Both. Most instructions come through solicitors, but we also accept instructions directly from the parties, and we are happy to take a joint instruction as a single joint expert. Whoever instructs and pays us, our duty to the court is unchanged and the valuation is the same.
Can you value at more than one date, or with and without improvements, or include the market rent?
Yes. Most instructions need only a single Market Value, but we can also provide the value at two or more dates, the value with and without changes made to the property, or the market rent in addition. Please tell us what you need when you request a quote so we can advise you properly and scope the work.
What information do you need to provide a quote?
Please give us the full property address including postcode, the number of bedrooms, and ideally the names of the parties so we can check for any conflict of interest. If you need anything beyond a single Market Value, let us know at the same time. We then confirm a fixed fee in writing before you commit.
Do you act in professional negligence cases against other valuers?
Yes, though it is a smaller part of our work. We are asked to assess whether another valuer's opinion fell short of the standard reasonably expected. These reports are prepared to the same court-compliant standard. We work only on valuations, not on survey matters.
Are tribunal cases such as lease extensions the same as court cases?
No. Applications to the First-tier Tribunal for leasehold reform, such as lease extensions and collective enfranchisement, are valuation tribunals rather than courts. Many of the same rules of evidence and conduct apply, and we act in these matters, but they are not litigation in the same sense.
How much does a court-compliant report cost?
Every instruction is quoted individually, because the work varies so much — from a single Market Value to multiple dates, rental evidence or negligence analysis. We always confirm a fixed fee in writing before you commit, so there are no surprises.