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Party Wall PRO Podcast
Stick With What You Know — Know What You Know, Know What You Don't Know, and Know Where to Find the Answer
• Michael Cooper — Head of Neighbourly Matters, Colliers International
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Episode Notes
Michael Cooper, Head of Neighbourly Matters at Colliers International and a leading figure in the party wall profession with over 25 years of experience, shares frank advice on professional development, client relationships, and the importance of knowing your limits.
Career and Professional Growth
Advantages and disadvantages of working in large vs. small surveying practices
Building client relationships and reputation as the true foundation for long-term business growth
Importance of case law knowledge and staying current with the latest legal developments
Networking through professional bodies: the Pyramus & Thisbe Club and RICS
Professional Standards
Essential qualifications: construction background, deep understanding of the Party Wall Act 1996, and practical experience
Common frustrations: surveyors overstepping their scope or pursuing tangential disputes beyond their brief
Enforcement challenges once awards have been made — a persistent gap in the legislative framework
Key Advice
"Stick with what you know. Know what you know and know what you don't know" — and, critically, know where to find the answer when you're out of your depth
