Court Valuation
A CPR-compliant property valuation prepared for civil litigation, boundary disputes, professional negligence claims, party wall matters and other court-directed proceedings — providing the independent, expert valuation evidence that the court requires.
Whether you are involved in a boundary dispute with a neighbour, pursuing a professional negligence claim against a surveyor or valuer, contesting a party wall award, or require an expert determination of market value or diminution in value for litigation purposes — our RICS Registered Valuers provide the robust, CPR Part 35 compliant report that solicitors, barristers and judges rely upon. We are available to attend court as an expert witness if the matter proceeds to trial.
Court Valuation Report
Our Home Surveyor & Property Valuer Accreditation & Professional Membership
Our Court Valuations are carried out by qualified surveyors who belong to the professional bodies that set UK property standards. Every report is prepared to recognised guidance and is completely independent, so you can rely on the findings when you buy, sell or value a home.
What Is a Court Valuation?
A court valuation is a formal, RICS Red Book valuation of residential property prepared specifically for the purpose of litigation. It is produced by an independent RICS Registered Valuer whose overriding duty is to the court — not to the party who instructs them. The report must comply with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), which govern expert evidence in civil proceedings, and with the associated Practice Direction 35. A court valuation differs from a standard valuation in several important respects: the valuer must expressly acknowledge their duty to the court, must set out the substance of their instructions, must state the facts and assumptions on which their opinion is based, and must make clear where a particular issue falls outside their expertise. The report is designed to withstand cross-examination if the matter proceeds to trial and to assist the court in reaching a just determination of the issues in dispute.
What It Covers
- A CPR Part 35 compliant valuation report suitable for filing at court
- Market value assessment of residential property as at the relevant valuation date
- Diminution in value assessment where property has suffered damage or defect
- Internal and external inspection by an RICS Registered Valuer
- Detailed comparable sales evidence supporting the valuation figure
- Statement of the valuer's qualifications, expertise and independence
- Statement of the facts, instructions and assumptions on which the valuation is based
- Expert witness availability to attend trial and give oral evidence if required
What It Does Not Cover
- Legal advice on the merits of your case or the likely outcome — that is the role of your solicitor or barrister
- Advocacy or representation at court — we attend as an expert witness, not as an advocate
- Determination of legal liability — we provide valuation evidence; the court determines liability
- A structural engineering assessment or detailed building defect diagnosis — though we can comment on the impact of visible defects on value
- Valuation of non-property assets such as business goodwill, shareholdings or chattels
When Is a Court Valuation Required?
A court valuation is required whenever the market value of a property — or the diminution in its value — is in issue in civil proceedings before a court or tribunal.
Suitable For
- Boundary disputes — where the value of disputed land or the impact on property value is at issue
- Professional negligence claims against surveyors, valuers or estate agents
- Party wall disputes under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
- Landlord and tenant disputes — rent review, lease renewal, dilapidations
- Nuisance claims — where a neighbouring use or activity has reduced property value
- Compulsory purchase and compensation claims
- Fraud and misrepresentation cases involving property value
Not Suitable For
- A case where no proceedings have been issued and the parties simply disagree about value — an independent RICS Red Book valuation (without the CPR Part 35 overlay) may be more appropriate
- A party seeking advocacy rather than independent expert evidence (we are independent; we do not argue your case)
Not sure whether a court valuation is the right service for your litigation? Speak to a surveyor for a confidential discussion.
What Is Included in a Court Valuation?
Our court valuation reports are prepared to the standard required by the Civil Procedure Rules, designed to provide the court with reliable, independent valuation evidence.
CPR Part 35 Compliant
The report is prepared in strict compliance with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules and the associated Practice Direction 35. It includes the expert's declaration, statement of truth, and express acknowledgment of the overriding duty to the court.
Prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer
Your valuation is personally prepared and signed by an RICS Registered Valuer — a chartered surveyor with the qualifications, expertise and professional indemnity insurance required to give expert evidence in civil proceedings.
Duty to the Court
Unlike a party-appointed valuation, a CPR Part 35 report is addressed to the court, not the instructing party. The valuer's overriding duty is to assist the court on matters within their expertise — this duty overrides any obligation to the person from whom the expert receives instructions or payment.
Expert Witness Available
If the matter proceeds to trial, we are available to attend court, be cross-examined on our report and give oral evidence. We have experience in giving evidence under cross-examination and can withstand robust challenge.
Diminution in Value Assessment
Where the dispute concerns damage or defect that has reduced the property's value, we can provide a diminution in value assessment — quantifying the difference between the property's value in its actual condition and its value had the damage or defect not occurred.
RICS Red Book Compliant
The valuation methodology follows the RICS Valuation — Global Standards (the 'Red Book'), ensuring the opinion of market value is based on rigorous analysis of comparable evidence, market conditions and property-specific factors.
Comprehensive Evidence Base
The report includes full analysis of comparable sales, market trends, Land Registry data and any property-specific factors affecting value. All evidence is referenced and cross-referenced so it can be verified and tested in cross-examination.
Fixed Pricing
We provide a fixed-price quote within 24 hours of your enquiry. The price we quote is the price you pay — no hidden extras and no VAT added to our fees. Court attendance, if required, is quoted separately in advance.
How the Court Valuation Process Works
From instruction to court-ready report — a methodical process designed to produce robust, defensible expert evidence.
Receive Instructions
We receive a letter of instruction from your solicitor setting out the issues in dispute, the relevant valuation date, the questions the court requires us to address, and any specific CPR directions.
Inspect and Research
The RICS Registered Valuer inspects the property and undertakes thorough research — comparable sales, market analysis, Land Registry data, planning records and any relevant technical reports.
Prepare CPR Report
We prepare a Part 35 compliant report with the expert's declaration, statement of truth, detailed reasoning, and an evidence-based opinion on the questions the court has asked us to address.
Report Delivered
The signed report is delivered to your solicitor — ready for filing at court, exchange with the other side and, if necessary, for the valuer to be called to give oral evidence at trial.
Our Valuation Methodology
Every court valuation we produce follows a rigorous, RICS-compliant methodology designed to withstand scrutiny in civil proceedings.
Comparable Sales Analysis
We research and analyse recent sold prices for comparable properties using Land Registry data, HMLR Price Paid Data and our own market intelligence. We adjust for differences in size, condition, location and specification to arrive at a market-evidence-based valuation. The analysis is fully documented and referenced so the other party's expert and the court can test our reasoning.
Diminution in Value Methodology
Where the valuation concerns diminution in value (e.g. a boundary encroachment, a planning breach affecting value, or a construction defect), we assess the value of the property in its actual condition and compare it to the value the property would have had but for the matter in dispute. The difference is the diminution in value. Our methodology follows RICS guidance and established case law on the measure of damages in property cases.
Property-Specific Factors
We consider all property-specific factors affecting value — including tenure (freehold or leasehold), lease length (if leasehold), construction type, age, energy performance, planning history, flood risk, proximity to amenities and any material defects or improvements. Each factor is analysed and its impact on value is explained.
CPR Part 35 Compliance
Our reports are prepared in strict accordance with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules and Practice Direction 35. The report includes the expert's declaration confirming their understanding of their duty to the court, a statement of truth, details of their qualifications and expertise, the substance of their instructions, the facts and assumptions on which their opinion is based, and a summary of their conclusions.
Court Valuation Questions
What is the difference between a court valuation and a standard RICS valuation?
A court valuation (or CPR Part 35 valuation) is prepared specifically for litigation. The key differences are: (a) the valuer's overriding duty is to the court, not to the instructing party; (b) the report must comply with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules, including an expert's declaration and statement of truth; (c) the valuer must be prepared to attend court and be cross-examined on their report; (d) the instructions, facts and assumptions must be fully disclosed; and (e) the report must be addressed to the court, not the instructing party. A standard RICS Red Book valuation provides a professional opinion of market value but is not necessarily prepared with litigation and cross-examination in mind.
Will the valuer attend court to give evidence?
Yes — if the matter proceeds to trial and the court requires oral evidence, the RICS Registered Valuer who prepared your report is available to attend court. They will be cross-examined on their report by the opposing party's barrister and may be questioned by the judge. Our valuers have experience in giving evidence under cross-examination and are familiar with court procedure. Court attendance is quoted separately and in advance — we will provide a day rate for trial attendance at the outset.
Can you act as a Single Joint Expert (SJE) in civil litigation?
Yes. In many civil cases, the court directs that a Single Joint Expert be instructed — one independent valuer jointly appointed by both parties. An SJE's report carries significant weight with the court and saves both parties the cost of instructing separate experts. We are experienced in acting as SJEs in civil litigation and our reports are prepared in compliance with CPR Part 35. If the parties cannot agree on joint instructions, the court can settle the terms of reference.
What types of court cases do you provide valuations for?
We provide court valuations for a wide range of civil proceedings involving residential property, including: boundary disputes, professional negligence claims against surveyors or valuers, party wall disputes under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, landlord and tenant disputes (including rent review and lease renewal valuations), nuisance claims, compulsory purchase and compensation claims, fraud and misrepresentation cases, and contractual disputes concerning property value. If your case does not fit neatly into these categories, please contact us to discuss whether we can assist.
How quickly can you produce a court valuation report?
We understand that court timetables are often tight — particularly where a trial date has been set and expert reports must be exchanged by a court-ordered deadline. We aim to inspect the property within 5–10 working days of receiving instructions and deliver the completed report within 10–15 working days of the inspection. If your deadline is particularly urgent, please tell us at the outset and we will do our best to accommodate your timescale. Where possible, we will prioritise court-ordered deadlines.
What happens if the other side's expert disagrees with our court valuation?
If each party has instructed their own expert, the court will expect the experts to meet (often called an 'experts' meeting' or 'without prejudice discussion') to identify areas of agreement and disagreement. A joint statement is then prepared setting out what is agreed and what remains in dispute. If the matter proceeds to trial, each expert will give evidence and be cross-examined, and the judge will decide which expert's opinion to prefer. The quality, rigour and independence of our report are designed to withstand this process. If we are acting as a Single Joint Expert, the court will generally accept the SJE's figure unless there are material grounds to challenge it.
Do I need my solicitor to instruct you, or can I instruct you directly?
While it is possible for a litigant in person to instruct us directly, we strongly recommend that you instruct us through your solicitor. Your solicitor will prepare the letter of instruction setting out the issues in dispute, the relevant questions for the expert, the valuation date and any specific CPR directions. They will also ensure the report is filed and served in accordance with court directions. If you are a litigant in person and wish to instruct us directly, we are happy to do so — but we would recommend you seek legal advice on the CPR requirements for expert evidence.
How much does a court valuation cost?
The cost of a court valuation depends on the complexity of the issues, the property type, and the number of properties to be valued. We provide a fixed-price quote within 24 hours of receiving your solicitor's letter of instruction. The price we quote is the price you pay — no hidden extras and no VAT added to our fees. Court attendance (if required) is quoted separately as a day rate — we will provide this at the outset so you can budget accordingly. We cover all seven counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Greater London and Oxfordshire.
Instruct a Court Valuation Expert
Free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours. CPR Part 35 compliant report prepared by an RICS Registered Valuer — suitable for filing at court with expert witness availability.