Expert Witness Registration Scheme (EWRS)

The RICS Oceania Expert Witness Registration Scheme (“EWRS”) is a scheme set up to allow the public access to high quality expert witness services. This scheme embraces all RICS professional groups and specialisations. In Oceania, the scheme will be administered by the RICS DRS on behalf of RICS Oceania.

The EWRS lists individual & registered RICS members with specialist knowledge and the practical experience to provide impartial, independent evidence for a wide range of specialist fields including:

  • Agriculture and farm business
  • Arts and antiques
  • Boundaries and party walls
  • Building surveying
  • Commercial property (rent review, lease renewal etc)
  • Construction disputes and claims
  • Dilapidations and housing disrepair
  • Environmental surveying
  • Landlord and tenant
  • Leasehold enfranchisement
  • Planning and development
  • Professional negligence Property management
  • Rating Valuation

Criteria of an RICS expert witness

  • Provided references from at least two people (one of which a solicitor or barrister) who have used the surveyor’s expert evidence in the last three years
  • Provided an expert witness report prepared for judicial/quasi-judicial proceedings within the last five years, which is assessed to demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of key criteria such as:
  • Knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules
  • Relevant Practice Directions
  • Case-law and codes of best practice, including RICS’ own mandatory practice statement ‘Surveyors acting as expert witnesses’
  • Been interviewed (if deemed necessary by the Registration Committee) before becoming an EWRS-registered expert witness.

Note:The RICS does not assess technical knowledge as part of the entry process. The competence of an expert witness is ultimately determined by the client and the relevant judicial body. You can find full details of the assessment criteria and the scheme in our ‘RICS Expert Witness Registration Scheme‘ guide.

Join the RICS Expert Witness Register

For RICS members who want to join the RICS Oceania Expert Witness Registration Scheme, download the guide or our application form now to find out how you can apply to register as an expert witness.

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