When party wall matters escalate into a dispute or an appeal, independent expert evidence can be decisive. Kingston Surveyors arranges an experienced RICS party wall surveyor to act as expert witness under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, advising on the validity of notices and awards, alleged damage and the proper conduct of the statutory process. We act across London, the South East and England and Wales.
Although the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is designed to prevent conflict, disagreements still arise over damage caused by adjacent works, the terms of an award, security for expenses or an appeal to the County Court under Section 10. In these situations an impartial expert opinion helps the parties, their solicitors and the court understand the technical and procedural issues.
The surveyor reviews the notices, award and site evidence, inspects any alleged damage and gives a clear, CPR Part 35-compliant opinion on whether the Act was properly followed and on the cause of any loss. Acting independently of the building and adjoining owners, the report is written to assist the court and to help resolve the dispute efficiently.
Our panel includes party wall specialists who combine deep knowledge of the Act with expert witness experience, matched to the specifics of your dispute. Reports are prepared to your timetable and to the standard the courts expect. Contact Kingston Surveyors for a free, no-obligation quote on a party wall expert witness report.
Most party wall matters resolve through the Act’s surveyor process – but appeals against awards, damage claims, works without notice and surveyor negligence allegations can end up in the county court. The party wall experts we arrange have acted as appointed surveyors and third surveyors, so their CPR Part 35 evidence explains not just what the Act requires but what competent practice looks like.
Section 10(17) award appeals, quantifying damage from adjacent excavation, defending or pursuing claims for unnotified works, and negligence claims against appointed surveyors. Reports are fixed-fee for single-issue disputes. Background reading: what an expert witness does, the party wall services hub, and our guide to when the Act applies.
