William Hurst Rees
Encyclopedia
William Hurst Rees was a leading British valuation surveyor, a Member of the Lands Tribunal
from 1973 until his retirement in 1989. He was the originator and editor of the first five editions of Valuation: Principles into Practice (now in its sixth edition of 2008), the leading handbook for students and practitioners of valuation in the UK.
Bill Rees was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire
and educated at Watford Grammar School for Boys. He began his professional life with Salter Rex & Co while studying for a professional degree at the College of Estate Management in London. During the Second World War
he joined the Royal Artillery
and later transferred to the Royal Engineers
, with which he served during the Normandy landings
. When discharged after the war he had achieved the rank of Major.
After the war he became a lecturer at the College of Estate Management, the leading British institution of higher learning in the fields of property, and from 1948-1951 was Head of the Valuation Department. In 1949 he became joint author, with David Lawrence
and Harold May, of the second edition of Modern Methods of Valuation and subsequently edited the next four editions. In 1951 he moved to Richard Ellis
as head of the valuation department. During this period he acted for Mrs Harvey in the Harvey v Crawley case, which gave rise to the concept of Crawley costs. In 1961 he became senior partner of Turner Rudge & Turner, where he stayed until he became a member of the Lands Tribunal in 1973, where he gave lead decisions in a number of important cases. In 1978 he devised and edited the first five editions of Valuation: Principles into Practice.
Lands Tribunal
The Lands Tribunal is a tribunal in the United Kingdom created by the Lands Tribunal Act 1949 that has jurisdiction in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, although in the Northern Ireland context the term Lands Tribunal normally refers to a different body the Lands Tribunal for Northern Ireland...
from 1973 until his retirement in 1989. He was the originator and editor of the first five editions of Valuation: Principles into Practice (now in its sixth edition of 2008), the leading handbook for students and practitioners of valuation in the UK.
Bill Rees was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire
Bushey
Bushey is a town in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire in the East of England. Bushey Heath is situated to the south east of Bushey on the boundary with the London Borough of Harrow.-History:...
and educated at Watford Grammar School for Boys. He began his professional life with Salter Rex & Co while studying for a professional degree at the College of Estate Management in London. During the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he joined the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
and later transferred to the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
, with which he served during the Normandy landings
Battle of Normandy
The Invasion of Normandy was the invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France, during Operation Overlord in World War II. It was the largest amphibious operation in history...
. When discharged after the war he had achieved the rank of Major.
After the war he became a lecturer at the College of Estate Management, the leading British institution of higher learning in the fields of property, and from 1948-1951 was Head of the Valuation Department. In 1949 he became joint author, with David Lawrence
David Lawrence
David Lawrence may refer to:*David Lawrence, pseudonym of English poet & TV scriptwriter David Harsent *David Lawrence , Canadian actor *David Lawrence , English cricketer...
and Harold May, of the second edition of Modern Methods of Valuation and subsequently edited the next four editions. In 1951 he moved to Richard Ellis
Richard Ellis
Richard Ellis may refer to:*Richard Ellis , Caltech professor and former director of Palomar Observatory*Richard Ellis , American marine biologist, author, illustrator and biologist at American Museum of Natural History...
as head of the valuation department. During this period he acted for Mrs Harvey in the Harvey v Crawley case, which gave rise to the concept of Crawley costs. In 1961 he became senior partner of Turner Rudge & Turner, where he stayed until he became a member of the Lands Tribunal in 1973, where he gave lead decisions in a number of important cases. In 1978 he devised and edited the first five editions of Valuation: Principles into Practice.