Expert witness services by Novus Resolve

At Novus Resolve, our highly experienced professionals have a proven track record as independent construction experts. They bring years of specialised knowledge to every case, providing expert witness evidence and comprehensive reports in legal disputes across a wide range of property matters. Clients value our practical, independent advice, which has been relied upon in litigation, adjudication, and arbitration across various jurisdictions worldwide.

Understanding the role of Chartered Surveyors as Expert Witnesses

Chartered surveyors play a pivotal role in resolving property disputes, offering impartial expert testimony in cases involving both residential and commercial property. Their professional competence and extensive expertise allow them to assist courts, arbitration panels, and mediators by providing insights into technical aspects often beyond the scope of general legal understanding.

An expert witness is an individual with specialised knowledge in a particular field who provides opinion-based evidence to aid legal proceedings. Chartered surveyors at Novus Resolve offer unbiased professional opinions on disputes, helping courts and legal teams make informed decisions. Their expertise spans building pathology, construction contracts, boundary disputes, defective building works, and much more.

Comprehensive services to support legal proceedings

Through meticulous attention to detail and extensive experience, our team assists clients in navigating complex legal matters, ensuring they are well-informed from the outset. Before entering a dispute resolution process, we help clients assess their financial and legal positions. This proactive approach helps reduce risks and ensures you avoid being at a disadvantage as proceedings progress.

Our expert witness services include the preparation of detailed reports tailored to meet the specific requirements of each case. Our reports comply fully with the Civil Procedure Rules, including Part 35, Practice Direction 35, and other relevant directives. This compliance ensures our documentation is robust, professional, and admissible in court.

The Expert Witness process

When acting as expert witnesses, our chartered surveyors follow a clear, structured process designed to ensure impartiality and accuracy at every stage:

1. Inspection and evidence collection
   We begin with an in-depth review of the property in question, gathering all relevant information relating to the matter. This could include physical inspections, photographic records, and the scrutiny of construction contracts, building surveys, or lease agreements.

1. Analysis and evaluation
   Findings are meticulously analysed to identify key issues, including building defects, valuation discrepancies, or regulatory non-compliance. We also assess any information the opposing party provides, ensuring a balanced view of the dispute.

1. Expert Witness reports
   Our expert witness surveyors compile reports structured to meet legal requirements. These reports include detailed descriptions of findings, critical analysis, and professional opinions, all structured to aid clarity and understanding. Any limitations or areas requiring further investigation are explicitly noted.

1. Presenting evidence
   If required, our experts provide testimony in court or arbitration, presenting evidence clearly and confidently. We have extensive experience attending court, arbitration hearings, mediations, and adjudications, ensuring our clients receive excellent representation.

By managing each stage of the process expertly, we deliver high-quality output and help facilitate fair resolutions to disputes.

Expertise across a range of property matters

Our team of Chartered surveyors has the specialised knowledge needed to address a broad spectrum of surveying matters. Whether a dispute involves commercial property, residential buildings, or listed structures, our tailored services guarantee comprehensive analysis and actionable advice. Some key areas of expertise include:

• Variation claims: our experts are often employed to advise on discrete disputes as to the valuation of variations. In other circumstances, we are instructed to consdoie3r wide ranging final accounts comprised of several hundred variations.

• Loss and expense claims: delays and cost overruns are an unfortunate feature of the industry and our experts have extensive experience in assessing claims of this nature.

• Termination claims: whether arising out of poor contractor performance, a hot headed employer or contractor insolvency, we are seeing more and more termination related claims which usually incorporate disputes on the value of the contract works, variations and loss and expense.

• Professional negligence claims: our surveyors provide expert analysis in cases where negligence is claimed, ensuring accurate interpretation backed by sound evidence.

Compliance with professional standards

Novus Resolve is committed to meeting the highest professional standards in all our services and is regulated by the RICS. Our team includes accredited expert witnesses as well as RICS-registered surveyors reflecting our dedication to maintaining the qualifications and accreditations required to act as independent experts.

We adhere strictly to the guidelines laid out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for surveyors acting as expert witnesses. This includes compliance with RICS Combined Practice Statements and Guidance Notes. By holding ourselves accountable to these standards, we deliver professional competence and credibility that clients and courts can trust.

Further, all our activities are conducted independently, ensuring an objective approach that considers relevant information from every angle. This unbiased methodology places your legal matter on a solid foundation for resolution.

Why choose Novus Resolve?

Clients choose Novus Resolve for our extensive experience, industry insight, and unwavering commitment to professionalism. Here’s how we stand out:

• Independence: By maintaining complete independence, we ensure objective assessments are aligned with legal standards.

• Highly professional approach: Our team comprises highly professional experts who bring both extensive knowledge and practical experience to every assignment.

• Tailored advice: Whether acting as a single joint expert or working for one party in disputes, we adapt our approach to the case's specific needs.

• Proven expertise: With a history of successful outcomes in property issues, building disputes, and construction design matters, we back up every promise with measurable results.

Examples of Legal Matters We Handle

Over the years, Novus Resolve has played a critical role in resolving various construction disputes and legal issues. Some of the matters we regularly assist with include:

• As above

Prepare for Legal Proceedings with Confidence

Legal disputes can be daunting, particularly if they involve highly technical matters in construction or property. Having a dependable, independent expert by your side can make all the difference. At Novus Resolve, we provide not just technical expertise but also the peace of mind that comes with knowing your case is in practiced, capable hands.

Our objective is to provide clients with all the relevant information required to make sound decisions. From initial consultations to expert reports and testimony under oath, we offer transparency, professionalism, and industry expertise at every step of the process.

For advice you can rely on and expert witness evidence you can trust, get in touch with Novus Resolve. We’re here to guide you through property-related legal matters with confidence, clarity, and competence.