Ashcomb and Lawes

In the matter of *Ashcomb and Lawes*, heard by Justice Rose, the husband sought leave to adduce further expert evidence from a valuer, Mr O, concerning the current market valuation of a specific property. The dispute centred on the valuation of this asset, with existing expert evidence from Mr B.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether to grant the husband leave to introduce this additional expert valuation evidence. The Court also considered the practical steps necessary to manage the expert evidence, including a conference between the existing expert, Mr B, and the proposed new expert, Mr O, to identify areas of agreement and disagreement.

Justice Rose reasoned that allowing further expert evidence was appropriate to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the property's current market value. The Court ordered that the experts confer and produce a joint statement detailing their findings and reasons for any disagreements. The costs associated with this conferral were initially to be borne by the husband, with liberty to apply to vary this order later. Furthermore, the Court directed the existing single expert, Mr B, to update his valuation report, with the costs of this update to be shared equally between the parties.