Expert Witness and Forensic Building Reports Bay of Plenty
Forensic Reports for Litigation Support
Philip Browne (Registered Specialist Building Surveyor, FNZIQS, DipLaw) leads all expert witness and forensic building consultancy for The House Inspector. All reports comply with the High Court Rules 2016, Schedule 4 Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses.
Construction litigation and insurance dispute support
Forensic moisture pathology and targeted invasive investigation
High Court, District Court, and arbitration proceedings
Call 0800 223 787 or enquire below.
What is Expert Witness Work in Building Surveying?
An expert witness in building surveying is a qualified professional engaged to provide impartial, evidence-based opinion to a court, tribunal, or arbitration panel on matters within their area of expertise. In New Zealand civil proceedings, expert witnesses are bound by Schedule 4 of the High Court Rules 2016, which imposes an overriding duty to assist the court impartially; the expert is not an advocate for the retaining party.
Expert witness services at The House Inspector are led exclusively by Philip Browne, Registered Specialist Building Surveyor, FNZIQS, DipLaw, whose combined legal and building surveying qualifications make him uniquely suited to complex construction litigation and insurance dispute work.
Services We Provide
Expert Witness Reports
Compliant with the High Court Rules 2016, Schedule 4. Suitable for High Court, District Court, MBIE disputes, and arbitration proceedings.
Forensic Building Investigation
Targeted invasive testing, moisture pathology, material failure analysis, and root-cause investigation.
Insurance Dispute Reports
Independent condition assessment and scope-of-works reports for insurers, loss adjusters, and insured parties.
Joint Expert Conferencing
Preparation and participation in without-prejudice expert conferencing in accordance with High Court directions.
Pre-litigation Forensic Assessment
Early-stage investigation to establish claim merits before proceedings are filed.
Our Forensic Investigation Approach
Documentary Review
Council files, consent records, producer statements, and as-built documentation.
Visual Inspection
Systematic assessment of all accessible building elements.
Non-invasive Testing
Calibrated moisture meters, thermal imaging, hammer-sounding.
Targeted Invasive Investigation
Small openings to confirm moisture presence, assess timber decay, and identify the failure mechanism.
Evidence-based Reporting
Root-cause analysis supported by measurement data, photographs, and NZ building standards.
Our Qualifications
Philip Browne — Registered Specialist Building Surveyor, FNZIQS, DipLaw. Extensive experience in construction litigation, insurance assessments, and building defect proceedings across New Zealand.
Jason Nicholls — LBP, Certificate in Residential Inspections, completed 14 modules of a Diploma in Building Surveying (registration pending). Supports Philip with site investigation, moisture testing, and forensic documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does compliance with the High Court Rules 2016 mean?
Schedule 4 requires an overriding duty to assist the court impartially, disclosure of qualifications and the basis of opinions, and acknowledgement that the expert is not an advocate for the retaining party. Our reports include all required declarations.
Can you act for either party?
Yes. Philip Browne can be engaged by plaintiffs, defendants, insurers, or as a jointly appointed expert. The duty of impartiality is the same regardless of who retains the expert.
Do you cover all of New Zealand?
Philip Browne is available for engagements nationwide by arrangement. Regular service areas are Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Auckland.
How is an expert witness report different from a standard inspection?
A standard inspection is a visual condition assessment for a homebuyer. An expert witness report is a formal legal document prepared to assist a court or tribunal, requiring compliance with the High Court Rules 2016, an established forensic methodology, and a level of professional accountability that far exceeds a standard inspection.
Discuss Your Case in Confidence
Whether you’re considering proceedings, responding to a claim, or need an early assessment of the technical merits, get in touch for a confidential discussion. We’ll let you know what’s involved and how Philip can assist.
Expert witness services led by Philip Browne, Registered Specialist Building Surveyor, FNZIQS, DipLaw. Supported by Jason Nicholls, LBP, Certificate in Residential Inspections, Diploma in Building Surveying (14 modules, registration pending). Last reviewed May 2026.