How courts appoint a valuer, and what follows
Two sides file two valuations that are far apart. The court has to decide something, so it usually appoints its own. Knowing how that unfolds tells you how to protect your position before it happens.
When the court steps in
Typically after the parties have already spent money on competing reports that cancel each other out. The court may appoint a valuer or a commissioner to inspect the property and report to it directly.
The appointment can arise from an application by a party, or from the court's own view that it cannot decide on the material filed.
What changes once that happens
Quite a lot, and mostly outside your control.
- The valuer answers to the court, not to either party.
- The scope is set by the court's order, which may be narrower or broader than you would choose.
- The report goes to the court, and both sides see it at the same time.
- Costs are usually shared or apportioned as the court directs.
- The timeline moves at the court's pace.
This is why we usually suggest families consider agreeing on one valuer earlier, as covered in appointing one valuer jointly. The destination is similar. Getting there voluntarily is faster and cheaper.
How to prepare for the inspection
You cannot influence the outcome, but you can make sure the valuer sees the full picture.
- Give full access. Anything not seen is assessed conservatively or noted as unavailable, and that rarely helps.
- Have documents ready. Title papers, approved plans, tax receipts, tenancy documents.
- Point out what is genuinely relevant. Structural repairs, encroachment, a disputed boundary, an access problem.
- Do not stage anything. Experienced valuers notice, and it damages your credibility with the one person the court is listening to.
- Attend if permitted, with your advocate's guidance.
Can you challenge the report
Generally you can file objections, and courts do consider them. What works is specific and factual: a measurement that is wrong, a portion not inspected, a tenancy misdescribed, comparable sales drawn from a clearly different locality.
What does not work is objecting simply because the figure is lower than you hoped. Courts see that constantly and it carries no weight. The same standards apply here as in what makes a valuation hold up in court.
Where we fit
We accept court appointments and joint appointments, and we also assist parties preparing for an appointed valuer's inspection or framing objections to a report on technical grounds.
What we will not do is produce a number to order. That is the whole reason the court appointed someone in the first place.
Read about court and litigation valuation, or have your advocate speak to us about the matter.
Checked by Parish Rao, Chartered Engineer and Government Approved Valuer.
Page last checked on 3 September 2026.
Get a free valuation quote
Tell us what you need valued. We will message you on WhatsApp with which report you need and what it costs, free of charge.
In a hurry? Call +91 98681 69747 instead.