Valuers’ Perception of Expert Witnessing in Real Estate Litigation Practice in Ibadan, Oyo State

Abstract

The study examined the valuers’ perception of expert witnessing in real estate litigation in Ibadan, Oyo State with the aim of improving professional practice. Primary data was collected from respondents 103 registered valuers (RSV) drawn using systematic random sampling technique from 158 financial members contained in the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) directory. Data collected from 87 returned questionnaires were analysed using frequency, percentage distribution, mean scores and factor analysis. The result established that rent dispute was the commonest real estate litigation where Valuers as an expert witness had been involved. The result shows that expert witnesses in the study area were experienced professional valuers who could sufficiently guide decision making in real estate litigations and give objective and sound evidence. Also, the findings showed that there is no statistically significant variation between the professional qualification and their level of engagement in real estate litigation as the p>.05 level for respondents [F(2,76)=.067, p= .935] for ESV. This infers that the respondents’ involvement in litigation was not a function of professional qualification of the respondents. The study recommended that for efficient expert witnessing in real estate litigations, valuers need to understand the procedures of being an expert witness and develop sufficient knowledge in the area of expert witnessing.