
Expert Witness
Areas of Expertise
Copping Joyce Surveyors specialise in expert witness valuation of different asset types including residential, offices, retail, industrial, development land, medical and leisure. We on behalf of private property companies, legal advisors, Local Authorities, Property Funds and Banks advising on aspects such as valuation negligence claims, valuation for litigation purposes, matrimonial disputes, ‘ransom strip’ valuations and restrictive covenant dispute and valuations.
Our Expert Witness surveyors have particular expertise in undertaking Development Viability Reports and prepare evidence relating to valuation of development land (including option agreements), Gross Development Value and Section 106 obligations. We also assist developers with affordable housing provisions and advise on the viable proportion of social housing the development will be able to provide.
When rent review and lease renewal matters are referred to an Independent Expert or an Arbitrator, our Expert Witness surveyors have a wealth of technical expertise in acting on behalf of both Landlord and Tenants on a wide range of commercial property types such as retail, offices, industrial, hotels, medical, schools and nurseries.
Copping Joyce Surveyors provide expert witness compulsory purchase reports and advise when it comes to resolving disputes relating to compensation through mediation and by way of a reference to the Lands Chamber (Upper Tribunal). We provide advice to both acquiring authorities and claimants in respect of the compulsory acquisition of land and rights.
Expert Witness Surveyor CV
Richard G. Alford - BSc MRICS LETAPAWE
Richard Alford MRICS LETAPAWE, Chartered Surveyor, is a Registered Valuer and an accredited Expert Witness. He has a thorough knowledge and experience in the production of expert witness reports to meet the requirements of Courts, Tribunals and Arbitrators and is familiar with the requirements of the Courts and in particular Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules, accompanying Practice Direction, the protocol for the instruction of experts to give evidence in Civil Claims and the Practice Direction for Pre- Action Conduct. In the particular case of Expert Reports for Court proceedings, Richard accepts appointments in the following circumstances:-
- Advisory Expert
- Shadow Expert (instructed by a party to assist behind the scenes)
- Lead Expert
- Jointly Appointed Expert (Part 35) instructed by the parties with the permission of the Court to prepare a report and give evidence.
- A Single Joint Expert (SJE)
Case Studies
280 Borough High Street, London, SE1
Gross Development Value: £4,500,000
Site Value: £1,400,000
Speak to our Expert Witness Team to find out more.
4-6 Islington Green, London, N1
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Kenton Lane Farm, Harrow, HA3
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Earls Terrace, Kensington, London W8
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Ransom Strip Valuation in Hertfordshire
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Tax Dispute on Baker Street
The property was subject to negotiations with the District Valuers office over a tax computation. The property was purchased by the existing owners in approximately 2009 and was valued for tax purposes by the District Valuer at a figure of over £110,000,000; the figure was disputed by Richard Alford acting on behalf of the owners.
Negotiations took place over a period of 18 months with the District Valuers office. The approach taken by the District Valuer was to value the subject property on the basis of standard Capital Gains Tax Assessments applying an individual value to each of the flats without any recourse to deductions for quantum, holding management repairs, insurance or sales costs.
The final tax computation was reduced by a figure of over £23,000,000 (Twenty Three Million Pounds).
The case is particularly important in that it has set, in the opinion of Richard Alford, a precedent with the District Valuers office whereby deductions to reflect these aforementioned costs should be taken into account where properties of such scale are purchased by investors.
Speak to our Expert Witness Team to find out more.