Agree the purpose and the question
A private discussion about a possible buyout is not the same instruction as an expert report for court proceedings. We establish the property interest, effective date, intended recipient and the decision or issue the opinion is intended to address.
The parties’ legal advisers should identify the applicable court rules and any directions, including the position on a joint instruction. We consider the proposed expert’s relevant expertise, independence, conflicts and availability before accepting work.
Independence is part of the work
Where the Rules of the Superior Courts, Order 39 apply, an expert’s duty to assist the court within their expertise takes priority over the obligation to the party paying the fee. Rule 57 also requires the report to acknowledge that duty and disclose the specified financial or economic interests.
The report must therefore be reasoned and appropriately qualified. It is not a commitment to reach a figure preferred by one party. Material assumptions, limitations and the evidence behind the conclusion need to be clear.
A practical property opinion
We examine the property’s relevant characteristics and the evidence appropriate to the date and purpose. Where another valuation exists, we can consider its basis and reasoning under an agreed review instruction.
An opinion may help the parties and their advisers consider a sale, a buyout or further investigation. It does not determine how a court will decide a case or replace legal advice on entitlements and settlement. Any attendance, clarification or further reporting is addressed within the agreed scope.
Your questions, answered.
Is every family-law valuation an Order 39 report?
No. The applicable court, proceedings, rules and directions must be identified. We use the appropriate description and scope for the actual instruction.
Will you support the figure I believe is right?
We will consider the evidence you provide, but the opinion must follow the property evidence and the agreed basis, not a preferred outcome.
Sources and further reading
Reviewed 14 November 2026. Requirements and services can change; check the relevant source for your circumstances.