Expert Witness Report for Salford Land Negligence Dispute

Simon Cook of Roger Hannah & Co was appointed to act as a Single Joint Expert by two practices of solicitors representing their clients in a negligence dispute.

The issue related to the acquisition of two parcels of land in Salford, Greater Manchester in 2001. The purchaser’s solicitors overlooked the fact that one of the parcels of land had been subject to compulsory purchase proceedings instigated by Salford City Council in 1998. The purchaser brought proceedings against the solicitor for the loss suffered.

As the Single Joint Expert, Simon, was asked to provide a valuation of the parcel of land that was subject to the compulsory purchase and to assess what impact the loss of that parcel of land would have on the remaining parcel of land unaffected by the compulsory purchase.

The difficulty related to the long period of time between the loss and the valuation as well as the fact that the whole area has been regenerated in the intervening years with new build residential development. It was necessary to disregard the impact of the comprehensive regeneration scheme in forming an opinion on value and revert back to the prevailing industrial use in 2001.

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