Software expert witness fees for IT and software disputes.
Transparent, competitive fees for expert witness services in software development and IT system disputes. I serve courts across England & Wales, provide detailed cost estimates, and comply with court budgeting requirements.
Hourly Rates
£175per hour, excluding VAT at 20%.
What the Hourly Rate Covers
The same hourly rate applies across all stages of a dispute, from pre-litigation technical assessment through to formal CPR Part 35 expert evidence. Work conducted at any stage is performed to expert witness standards and may, if proceedings commence, form part of expert evidence to the court.
This work typically includes:
- Technical assessment of software or IT disputes
- Document review, code analysis, and staff interviews
- Review of case materials and correspondence
- Technical investigation and analysis
- Expert report preparation (CPR Part 35 compliant)
- Responding to written questions under CPR 35.6
- Expert discussions and joint statements
- Conference with counsel
- Supplementary reports following new evidence or disclosure
- Settlement negotiation support
I work on a time-and-materials basis, with costs kept to an agreed maximum budget to ensure expenditure is proportionate to the dispute. Costs are tracked against the agreed budget, and I notify the instructing solicitor before any work that would exceed the cap (so the scope can be reviewed).
Court & Tribunal Attendance
| Full day attendance | £1,600 |
| Half day attendance | £900 |
A court day includes preparation, giving oral evidence, cross-examination, waiting time, and conferencing with your legal team.
Travel Expenses
In addition to fees, I charge:
| Travel time | £100 per hour, door-to-door from Surrey (GU22) |
| Mileage | £0.45 per mile (HMRC advisory rate) |
| Rail travel | Standard class, at cost with receipts |
| Parking and accommodation | At cost with receipts |
Overnight accommodation (up to £125 per night) may be charged where travel exceeds 2 hours from Surrey (GU22).
Initial Consultation
An initial discussion, without charge or obligation, covers whether your software or IT dispute would benefit from expert input, the likely scope and timescale, and a preliminary cost estimate.
Following the discussion, I provide a detailed estimate breaking down anticipated work and hours. The estimate is sized to the dispute: claim value, document volume, and the specific issues on which expert opinion is sought. It is produced in a form that fits within a Precedent H or solicitor cost budget under CPR 35.4(2). Where the court has imposed fee limits, I work within the budgeted amounts or advise if the scope needs adjustment.
This helps both parties determine whether expert services are appropriate and proportionate to your case.
What to Expect
Pre-Litigation Technical Assessment £1,500 - £4,000
Typical cost, depending on complexity
Usually includes reviewing key documents and code, interviewing relevant staff, and providing a technical opinion on the merits of the claim or defence. Often leads to early settlement.
Expert Report for Court Proceedings £2,500 - £7,000
Typical cost, depending on complexity
A comprehensive expert report compliant with court rules, including technical analysis, independent opinion, and clear conclusions. Simple cases with limited documentation at the lower end; complex multi-issue disputes at the upper end.
Court Attendance £2,300 - £3,000
Typical cost, including preparation and travel
Includes preparation time, witness familiarisation, the hearing day itself, and travel from Surrey. London and other distant venues at the higher end.
Proportionality under CPR 35.4(2) shapes the scope rather than the rate. For lower-value disputes, the work can be tightly scoped to the specific issues that genuinely need expert opinion at that stage, and the cost estimate reflects that.
These are indicative examples only - detailed quotation provided after discussing your specific case.
Professional Standards
- Specialist in software development disputes, IT contracts, and technology implementation failures
- Compliant with CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction 35
- Professional indemnity insurance maintained
- All work is compliant with GDPR and UK data protection requirements
- Published rates and a documented cost budget support recoverability under detailed assessment at the close of proceedings.
Terms & Conditions
See my full expert witness terms and conditions. Other helpful guides are found on the Resources page.
Request a Quote
For a confidential, no-obligation discussion about a software or IT dispute, please get in touch.
Enquiries are welcome at any stage, from early pre-action assessment through to final hearing and/or settlement negotiations.