E: info@nw-rs.co.uk  |   T: 01625 360 306 (Cheshire, Greater Manchester, South Lancashire and Merseyside) | T: 01539 260 060 (North Lancashire & Cumbria) | Mon – Fri  9am – 5pm

Part 35 Expert Witness Roof Reports for Litigation

North West Roof Surveys prepares CPR Part 35 compliant expert witness roof reports for use in roofing litigation across the United Kingdom. Our reports are produced independently, in line with the Civil Procedure Rules, and are suitable for court use in both pre-litigation and live litigation proceedings. We are pre-litigation and live litigation report specialists, instructed by solicitors, local authorities, insurers and private clients in disputes involving defective roofing work, contractor failures, and non-compliant building work.

Independent Expert Witness Roof Surveys for Litigation

Part 35 expert witness reports require a high level of technical knowledge, independence, and an understanding of legal procedure. Not all roof surveyors are qualified or experienced in producing reports suitable for litigation, which is why solicitors handling roofing disputes often struggle to source a suitable expert. We are regularly instructed for litigation work by:
  • Solicitors specialising in construction and roofing litigation
  • Local authorities and councils
  • Insurance companies and loss adjusters
  • Private clients involved in contractor disputes
Our role is to provide an objective, impartial opinion on the condition of the roof, the standard of workmanship, and whether the works comply with relevant building regulations, British Standards, and accepted codes of practice — written in a form that stands up to scrutiny in court.

Pre-Litigation and Live Litigation Reports

We provide expert reports at every stage of a roofing dispute:
  • Pre-litigation reports — instructed where a dispute is being assessed and the parties are considering legal action. A pre-litigation report supports negotiation, settlement discussions, and the decision on whether to issue proceedings. Many disputes are resolved at this stage without the need to go to court.
  • Live litigation reports — instructed once proceedings have been issued. These are fully CPR Part 35 compliant, written for the court, and include the required expert’s declaration and statement of truth.
Where required, we can also respond to Part 35 questions from the opposing party’s solicitor, prepare supplementary reports, and attend court.

When a Part 35 Roof Report Is Required

A Part 35 compliant roof report may be required where:
  • Roofing works are alleged to be defective or substandard
  • A contractor dispute has escalated towards litigation
  • There is disagreement over liability for roof failure or water ingress
  • Roofing works do not comply with building regulations or industry standards
  • An independent technical opinion is required by the court
Each report is prepared on the basis that it may be scrutinised by solicitors, barristers, and the court during litigation.

What Our Part 35 Reports Include

Our expert witness roof reports typically include:
  • Full inspection of the roofing works in question
  • Identification of defects, poor workmanship, or non-compliance
  • Reference to applicable building regulations and standards
  • Photographic evidence to support findings
  • Clear, reasoned expert opinion
  • A CPR Part 35 declaration confirming independence and duty to the court
Reports are written specifically for use in litigation and structured so they can be relied on by instructing solicitors and the court alike.

UK-Wide Coverage for Part 35 and Litigation Instructions

While our standard roof survey work is carried out across the North West, our Part 35 and litigation work is undertaken across the whole of the United Kingdom. Solicitors regularly instruct us well outside our home region, with recent litigation work taking us as far afield as the South East. We are routinely instructed nationally because suitably qualified, independent roof surveyors with genuine Part 35 experience are not always available locally. Recent litigation instructions have come from:
  • Firms of solicitors across England and Wales
  • Local authorities and councils outside the North West
  • Insurers and loss adjusters handling national claims
Wherever the property is located in the UK, we can travel to inspect, prepare the report, and support the case through to resolution.

Case Example

We recently assisted a client in a contractor dispute which was successfully resolved in court. This is what the client had to say:
“I wanted to inform you that the case was finally settled yesterday and the judge ruled in our favour on all accounts. I wanted to thank you directly for your original survey which formed the basis of our case, plus your more recent help in answering questions from the defendant’s solicitor. Your conclusions were read out in court and I believe they had a large impact on the judge.”

Important Notice

Please note: We are unable to become involved in contractor disputes or litigation where money is still owed to the contractor. The contractor must have been paid in full and left site before an inspection can take place. This is essential to maintain independence and avoid any conflict of interest.

Instructing a Part 35 Expert Witness

If you are a solicitor handling a roofing dispute, or a property owner who has paid for roofing works that are defective, non-compliant, or have caused ongoing problems, contact North West Roof Surveys to discuss the case. We accept Part 35 and litigation instructions from across the UK. Call 01625 360 306 / 01539 260 060 or email info@nw-rs.co.uk.
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