Expert Witness Reports

CPR Part 35 refers to Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules, which governs the use of expert evidence in civil litigation in England and Wales. It sets out requirements for the form and content of expert reports, the duties of experts to the court, and the procedures for appointing single joint experts. Core Compliance prepares reports that fully comply with CPR Part 35.

A Single Joint Expert is an expert appointed by both parties to a dispute — rather than each party appointing their own expert. The SJE provides one impartial report that all parties can rely upon, which reduces costs and often speeds up resolution. Core Compliance regularly acts as SJE in property and construction disputes.

Expert witnesses are commonly required in disputes involving building defects, fire safety failures, party wall damage, boundary disagreements, construction delays, professional negligence claims, and dilapidations. Core Compliance provides expert witness services across the full range of building, surveying, and construction matters.

Expert determination is a private dispute resolution process in which the parties agree to appoint an independent expert to resolve a disputed technical or factual issue. The expert's decision is typically binding on both parties. It is often faster and less costly than litigation, making it a popular option for resolving technical disagreements in property and construction contracts.

Instructions can be made directly by a party to a dispute or through their solicitor. Core Compliance will confirm the scope of the instruction, applicable fees, and timescales before commencing work. We will advise on whether a preliminary advisory report or a full CPR Part 35 compliant report is most appropriate for your matter.