A conflict of interest issue

24 October 2025

(2025 Oct). Here’s a conflict of interest issue. Surveyor A works for a firm of surveyors. Firm is instructed to do rent reviews for a multiple retailer. Directive nil increase. A gets to work and uses every trick in the book to achieve the client’s objective.

I am instructed to act for a landlord whose tenant is this multiple retailer. A’s negotiating stance doesn’t work on me. I refer the review to a third party.

A acts as expert witness. A’s report opinion is nil increase.

I tell third party that tenant has put A in an invidious position as regards his opinion because one of the tests of integrity for an expert witness is that the opinion would be the same if acting for the landlord.

In Report A rejects this criticism. In my counter-submission I find numerous flaws in A’s Report.

Third party determines an increase.

A’s client not happy with outcome. A’s firm loses client.

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