Should a dispute be heading towards the courts, or another judicial body such as an arbitrator for resolution then I am able to act as an Expert Witness.

An Expert Witness is someone who has a special knowledge, skill, or experience in the subject about which he/she is to testify. The primary function of an expert witness is to express his independent expert opinion based on the information that is provided.

As a chartered surveyor acting as an expert witness, I will conform to the requirements of the RICS Practice Statement for Surveyors Acting as Expert Witnesses. Furthermore I am also bound by the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules that govern the way court cases are conducted in England and Wales.

It is important that the appointing party realizes that the overriding duty of any expert is to the court, or other judicial body, to help it decide matters within the expert’s expertise and not to the person paying the expert’s fees.

Expert evidence must be independent, objective and unbiased. The general requirement is for such evidence to be given in a written report and accordingly I prepare professional reports in accordance with the CPR and suitable for cross-examination.

In some disputes a court may appoint a ‘Single Joint Expert’ instead of the parties appointing their own experts to give evidence.