Independent Expert Witness valuation
Expert Witness work requires a different mindset from ordinary client advice. The expert’s overriding duty is to the Court or tribunal, and the opinion given must be independent, properly reasoned and capable of withstanding scrutiny.
Rupert Geering MRICS is an RICS Registered Valuer with experience of Expert Witness and Single Joint Expert instructions involving residential, agricultural, commercial and mixed property. This breadth is particularly useful where a case involves a family home alongside land, farm buildings, investment property or other assets that do not fit neatly into a single category.
Instructions are accepted from solicitors, parties acting through their legal advisers and other professional referrers, subject to conflict checks and agreement of the precise scope.
Matrimonial and Single Joint Expert valuations
Property valuation is frequently required in financial remedy proceedings, particularly where the asset base includes more than the family home. Farms, rural estates, development land, rental portfolios and mixed-use property can require different valuation approaches and assumptions within the same instruction.
We accept Single Joint Expert appointments and prepare reports independently for the Court. The instruction, valuation date, basis of value, assumptions and any areas requiring specialist input are clarified at the outset so that the report addresses the questions actually in issue.
Property disputes and diminution in value
Expert valuation evidence may also be required where the dispute concerns the effect of a defect, restriction, right, covenant, access issue or other event on the value of property. In these cases the key question is often not simply ‘what is the property worth?’ but the difference between two defined valuation scenarios.
We can advise on diminution in value and other property valuation issues where the matter falls within our expertise. Where the dispute depends on a separate technical question – for example structural condition, engineering or a point of law – we rely on the appropriate specialist evidence rather than straying outside the valuer’s competence.
Retrospective and complex valuations
Litigation and family proceedings can require values at historic dates or on assumptions that differ from the property’s current position. These instructions demand careful analysis of contemporaneous market evidence and a transparent explanation of the limitations of that evidence.
Our wider valuation practice includes retrospective work across residential, rural and mixed portfolios, which supports Expert Witness instructions where historic market conditions are relevant.
Typical instructions
- Single Joint Expert valuations for matrimonial/financial remedy proceedings.
- Residential, agricultural, commercial and mixed-property portfolios.
- Farms, land, orchards, rural buildings and diversified holdings.
- Rental and investment property.
- Retrospective valuations.
- Diminution in value and defined property disputes.
Professional independence
An Expert Witness is not an advocate for the party who first makes contact or pays the fee. Our role is to provide an independent professional opinion within the scope of the instruction and to explain the evidence and reasoning clearly.
Reports are prepared in accordance with the RICS practice statement Surveyors acting as expert witnesses and the relevant court rules, including Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules and Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules.
Before accepting an appointment we carry out a conflict check, review the proposed letter of instruction and confirm whether the issues fall within our expertise. Where they do not, we will say so.
For solicitors and professional advisers
If you are considering an appointment, it is helpful to send the property address or schedule of assets, the nature of the proceedings, the proposed valuation date, the relevant deadline and a draft letter of instruction if available. We can then confirm conflicts, availability, scope and fee.
To discuss a potential appointment, get in touch here.