Expert Witness, Arbitration and Mediation
What is an Expert Witness?
An expert witness is usually employed by the legal profession to provide independent expert opinion in connection with legal disputes. Some expert witnesses undertake other private commissions, but they are normally commissioned and paid for by the solicitor in order to provide highly skilled, articulate and experienced knowledge from those at the top of their chosen profession. These professionals have had extensive court experience and their credentials have been verified through their association and membership of recognised professional bodies and institutions.
Expert Witnesses: The Criteria
• Top of profession with verifiable expertise
• Able to analyse detailed and lengthy written submissions
• Produce clear and precise analysis of position in Plain English
• Articulate, confident, authoritative and dignified
• Produced professional papers in print
• References and previous experience
• Undisputable credentials
• Member of recognised professional bodies
Team and Reputation: Barbers Expert Witnesses
Mike Taylor, Bob Oakes and John Clayton of Barbers have extensive experience in the preparation of expert witness reports and in giving evidence in Court, to Tribunals and at Arbitration.
Mike Taylor, BSc(Hons), FRICS, FAAV
Mike is Head of Barbers Rural Department and specialises in agricultural law and valuations, together with the sale of farms, land and country properties.
Mike is:
• An experienced Expert Witness
• Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Member of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers
• Panel Valuer for the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
• Expert Advocate.
Bob Oakes, FRICS, FAAV, FLAA
Bob specialises in all spheres of Agricultural Law, Compensation, Planning and all aspects of Rural Property Sales.
Bob is:
• Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Fellow of the Association of Agricultural Valuers
• Member of the Lord Chancellors Panel of Agricultural Arbitrators (since 1982) a
Valuer of the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
• Valuer for Panel of national Lending Institutions
• Fellow of the Livestock Auctioneers Association
John Clayton, BSc(Est Man), F.R.I.C.S.
John is a highly experienced and renowned commercial surveyor with special expertise in Planning and Development, Rating and property related taxation and compulsory purchase compensation matters.
John is:
• Consultant with Barbers, previously Partner.
• Advisor at House of Lords Appeal (Fletcher Estates Ltd v S of State for Transport)
• Expert Valuation Witness at a number of Lands Tribunal hearings
• Conducted many planning appeals and inquiries, and appeared at Examinations in
Public on Regional, Structure Plan, and Local Plan matters.
• Presented many specialised rating assessment appeals at Local Valuation Court.
• Advisor on key property developments throughout Telford, Shrewsbury and the
West Midlands and the promotion through the planning process of long term
strategic development land to realise its potential.
• A Past President and Board member of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce &
Enterprise, and Chairman of Shropshire Enterprise Partnership.
Clients and Experience
Mike Taylor has appeared in the High Courts in the Strand, at County Court and in Planning Inquiries and Valuation Tribunals both as an expert witness appointed under the Civil Procedure Rules and as an Expert Advocate.
Bob Oakes has been on the RICS Panel of Arbitrators.
Whilst other Barbers members such as Simon Beedles and David Lowe – both from Barbers Commercial Department - have acted in Rating Appeals, Rent Reviews and Dilapidation Arbitrations.
Mike Taylor acted as an expert witness for the Respondent in the landmark case of National Westminster Bank plc v Jones relating to the dilution of security by the granting of agricultural tenancies.
Mike also appeared for the claimants in Michael, Bates & Haywood v Mill relating to Agricultural mortgages and repossession.
Areas of specialisation have included cases relating to Commercial and Rural Property Rent Reviews, Dilapidations, Landlords and Tenant Act 1954, Agricultural Law, Single Farm Payments, Freehold valuation claims, compulsory Purchase Claims, Town and Country Planning matters including Planning Appeals.
Strict adherence to time limits given in Court directions, the overriding obligation to the Court and other aspects of Civil Procedure Rules are all understood.
Barbers understands that an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the transactions unpinning the disputes we deal with is essential to the sensible resolution of those disputes.
Barbers offer a wide variety of valuation services to all types of financial institutions and in relation to all types of banking transactions. We provide pragmatic and cost effective solutions commensurate to the dispute involved.
