Expert witness

When a property dispute reaches court, tribunal, or arbitration, the quality of the expert evidence presented can determine the outcome. BTG Eddisons provides independent, impartial expert witness services across valuations, lease advisory, building consultancy, and more, giving legal teams, solicitors, and their clients the well-evidenced, court-compliant reports they need.

Our expert witnesses are RICS-qualified professionals with extensive experience in legal proceedings. Every report we produce meets the requirements of Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) Part 35 and is prepared to the standard expected by courts, tribunals, and opposing counsel.

Call 0800 051 2593, email [email protected], or complete our contact form further down the page to discuss your expert witness requirements.

What is an expert witness?

An expert witness is an independent, impartial professional appointed to provide specialist opinion evidence in legal proceedings.

In property disputes, that typically means a RICS-qualified valuer, surveyor, or specialist adviser who can provide the court or tribunal with a well-reasoned, technically rigorous assessment that goes beyond the knowledge of the judge or arbitrator.

Expert witnesses typically assist the court by analysing the evidence, applying their specialist knowledge, and presenting their conclusions in a clear, well-structured report.

When might I need an expert witness?

Expert witness valuations and reports are required in a wide range of legal proceedings involving property, assets, and commercial interests. Common scenarios include:

• Marital Disputes – Where the court requires an independent valuation of property, business interests, or other assets to achieve a fair division on divorce or dissolution.
• Professional negligence claims – Where property is involved, it is often necessary to establish what a property was worth at a particular point in time, or to assess the damages arising from negligent advice.
• Leasehold Reform cases – Disputes over lease extension premiums, collective enfranchisement, or right to manage frequently require expert valuation evidence under leasehold reform legislation.
• Compulsory purchase cases – Where a public authority acquires property compulsorily, an expert witness determines fair compensation based on market value and any disturbance or injurious affection costs.
• Rent review and lease renewal disputes – Where landlord and tenant cannot agree on the open market rental value, expert determination or arbitration may require independent expert evidence.
• Dilapidations disputes – Where the quantum of a landlord's claim is contested, an independent building surveyor can provide expert evidence on the condition of the property and the cost of reinstatement.
• Probate disputes – Where beneficiaries or HMRC challenge the value of a property forming part of an estate, an independent expert valuation at the date of death may be required.

It is worth noting that this list is by no means exhaustive. Expert witnesses may be needed in plenty of other scenarios too. Do not hesitate to get in touch if you believe you need this service, and we can provide you with bespoke advice.

Every case is unique and will require a tailored approach to give you the best chance of a successful outcome. However, your expert witness should be able to prepare the following evidence:

• Financial statements – Analysis of financial data relevant to the matter in dispute, including income, expenditure, and asset values where these bear on the valuation or quantum of any claim.
• Valuation reports – A formal Red Book-compliant valuation of the property or asset in question, setting out the basis of valuation, the evidence relied upon, and the reasoned opinion of value.
• Industry research – Market data, comparable transactions, and sector intelligence that support the expert's opinion and demonstrate that it is grounded in current market evidence.
• Testimonies – A formal expert report prepared in accordance with CPR Part 35, including the required declarations of independence and truth.
• Business contracts – Where the dispute involves a business or commercial interest, relevant contractual and corporate documentation may need to be reviewed and analysed as part of the expert's assessment.
• Joint statements – Where directed by the court, a without-prejudice statement agreed with the opposing party's expert setting out areas of agreement and disagreement.

We will discuss the required evidence during your initial no-obligation consultation with our expert witness team, giving you a clearer picture of which documents you will need to provide.

Our team bring compassion and expertise to every instruction. We pride ourselves on delivering the best outcome for our clients and go that extra mile to increase your chances of success. Here are a few other reasons to consider our expert witnesses:

• We have nearly 200 years of experience in the property industry.
• You get access to a team of 550 brilliant individuals spread across 35 nationwide offices.
• Our professionals have a proven track record of success and are consistently rated highly through our reviews platform.
• We have specialists across every sector, bringing unparalleled knowledge to your instruction.
• Our valuers are RICS-certified, ensuring strict industry guidelines are consistently met.

Discuss your expert witness needs with us today

We understand that cases requiring expert witnesses can be stressful, emotional, and frustrating. Our team do all they can to ease your burden and ensure we have prepared the best evidence to support you.

Get peace of mind today by instructing our hardworking and dependable expert witnesses. You can start the process by calling 0800 051 2593, emailing [email protected], or completing the form below.