An expert witness is someone who has extensive knowledge and experience of the issue in dispute and who is able to provide expert evidence, either in writing or orally, to a court of other tribunal.

The RICS DRS is proud to offer comprehensive expert witness services within the Oceania region.

While it is common for both sides in any construction dispute to utilise their own experts, there has been a recent trend to encourage the use of single joint experts. This allows the parties to limit the costs of expert evidence and therefore keeping the costs of litigation down.

What are the benefits of an RICS-appointed expert witness?

Expertise

Chartered surveyors are highly trained professionals who understand land, property and construction. Many have experience of acting as an expert witness in court.

Trained professionals

The RICS DRS appointed expert witnesses have been specially selected and are obliged to undergo continous training. They must also maintain the highest professional standards.

Range of services

The RICS DRS can offer a whole range of expert witnesses to assist in any dispute relating to land, property or construction.

Bound by an RICS Oceania Practice Statement

Chartered suveryors appointed as expert witnesses must comply with the RICS Oceania Practice Statement and Guidance Notes ‘Surveyors Acting as Expert Witnesses’.

How are expert witnesses appointed?

The appointment of an expert witness can be either:

1. The party requiring the services of an expert can review the detail of the EWRS Panel members, select the expert and contact the expert directly, or
2. Application is made to the RICS DRS for the appointment of a suitably qualified expert witness.The RICS DRS reviews the criteria for the expert report, matches the criteria to the EWRS Panel, confirms that no conflict of interest exists, confirms availability of the expert and appoints the expert.

How much does it cost?

Where the party requiring an expert witness selects an expert from the EWRS Panel and contacts the expert directly, RICS DRS does not charge an administration fee and the terms and conditions of appointment are to be agreed between the parties.

Where the party requiring an expert witness applies to the RICS DRS for the appointment of a suitably qualified expert, the RICS DRS charges an administration fee of $250.00 excluding GST for this service which is paid with the application.

Our Expert Witness Panel

John Deans

Qualifications: FRICS, FAIQS,ICECA.
Area of Expertise: Quantity Surveying and Construction.
Geographical Availability: South Australia.

Jim Ford

Qualifications: FRICS,FAIQS, ICECA.
Area of Expertise: Quantity Surveying with an emphasis on costing.
Geographical Availability: Queensland.

Rodney Hyman

Rod has been a valuer for more than 40 years and has specialised as an expert witness for more than 15 of those years. He holds qualifications not only from the RICS but is also a Life Fellow of the Australian Property Institute, a Fellow of the New Zealand Property Institute and an Accredited Senior Appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers.

Rod has worked across all jurisdictions in various states from the lowest to the highest courts. He has provided expert evidence in respect to assets as diverse as a diamond mining installation in the Central African Republic, a 60 light Venetian glass chandelier, a Russian submarine and a plastics manufacturing plant in New Zealand.

Qualifications: FRICS, LFAPI, ASA,FPINZ, FAMI, MAICD.
Area of Expertise: Valuation of Plant and Machinery, all types.
Geographical Availability: All Australian States and Territories.

John Kendall

Mr John Kendall commenced his career in property valuation with the Australian Taxation Office in 1970 and moved from there into corporate roles, which included directorships with international property groups such as CB Richard Ellis and Colliers International. His valuation experience has covered a wide geographical spread extending to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Malaysia. His willingness to embrace challenging tasks has taken him into the valuation of complex and diverse properties such as Dreamwold Theme Park, Brisbane Ansett Domestic Terminal, Bond University, Sheraton Breakwater Casino Hotel and North Lakes Master Planned Community. His has given evidence involving a comprehensive spectrum of property types in various courts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Qualifications: MRICS, FAPI, MIAMA, AREI, DDA.
Area of Expertise: Property Valuation with specialist expertise including the areas of Licensed Clubs, Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Maritime, Aviation, Quarries, Tourist Parks, Retail, Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Theme Parks, Golf courses, Sea Bed Leases & Service Stations.
Geographical Availability: Australia, Papua New Guinea & Pacific Islands.

Tony Makin

Tony has over 40 years experience as a quantity surveyor, working on projects ranging from casinos up to $1B, government projects, commercial, fitout and high quality domestic property and site experience on a major civil project.

In recent years, Tony has been active in dispute resolution in all its forms, especially as an expert witness, but also including contributing to the redrafting of the Fast Track Arbitration Rules and Concise Dispute Resolution process and development of a dispute resolution process for a specific issue for a government department.

Qualifications: MRICS,MIAMA, FAIQS, ICECA.
Area of Expertise: Quantity Surveyor, Graded Arbitrator, Nationally Accredited Mediator, Adjudicator under SOP Act (NSW).
Geographical Availability: ACT,NSW,QLD.

Paul Roberts

Qualifications: AAIQS, FRICS, MCIARB.
Area of Expertise: Building and Engineering, Quantum / Contract Administration.
Geographical Availability: All Australian States and Territories.

Russell Welsh

Qualifications: FRICS, FAIQS, MSc.
Area of Expertise: Chartered Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Dispute Resolution.
Geographical Availability: All Australian States and Territories.

Enquire about our Experts

If you wish to submit an enquiry regarding our experts or anything else about the program, feel free to send us an email by using the form below.

The Expert Witness Registration Scheme

For more information on becoming a RICS expert witness, please have a read of our Expert Witness Registration Scheme documents.

Expert Witness Training

If you’re interested in receiving the proper training for being an RICS Expert Witness, please get in contact with us. Alternatively, keep an eye on our training schedule for upcoming expert witness training sessions.