Forensic accountants provide specialist advisory and expert witness services in relation to contested accounting, financial and valuation issues in the resolution of business-related disputes in ADR or court litigation procedures.
Our Partners, supported by our professional staff, are appointed as independent forensic accountants by claimants, defendants, or by both. Experience is extensive and across a wide range of industries. Accreditation as Expert Witness is with the ICAEW and The Academy of Experts and expert testimony has been given on many occasions. Appointments are made by local, national or international law firms or in-house counsel.
As a multidisciplinary accounting and business advisory firm, if required and in consultation with clients, we work with colleagues who are specialists in other areas, for example taxation, audit, and corporate finance or with relevant industry knowledge. Similarly, subject to separate engagement, we may also work alongside other experts, for example, specialists in commercial property valuations.
We are long established in providing forensic accounting services in the resolution of disputes and were early members of NIFA (Network of Independent Forensic Accountants).
What we do
In our advisory work, we assist clients and their legal advisers in clarifying issues and informing them objectively in their decision making in the resolution of disputes. In our expert witness work, pursuant to the applicable procedural rules, we also assist tribunals in their determination of issues should matters proceed to trial.
Our services
Our services, as may be required, include in particular:
- Advisory reports including on a preliminary basis;
- Expert witness reports through to attending to procedurally required expert witness stages including Questions to the Expert, considering the report(s) of the opposing expert, attending Meetings of Experts and the drafting of Joint Statements;
- Delivering expert witness testimony at trial; and
- Mediation and pre-trial consultancy.
In providing services, as needed, our work may involve:
- Investigation and forensic analysis;
- The quantification of damages particularly loss of profits; and
- Business and share valuation.
Case experience
Our experience includes:
- Shareholder disputes (contested buyout valuations; unfair prejudice claims);
- Business disputes (breach of contract, negligence, business interruption, unlawful distributions, directors’ misfeasance);
- M&A disputes (completion accounts, warranty claims);
- Partnership disputes;
- Matrimonial disputes; and
- Fraud
ADR Dispute Resolution, Expert Determination
We provide expert determiner services to resolve disputes by the issue focussed private ADR procedure of expert determination.
Ordinarily, this is in relation to:
- Completion accounts, purchase price adjustment and deferred consideration in M&A disputes; and
- Share valuation issues in shareholder disputes.
We accept appointments directly from the parties in dispute or via appointing authorities on their behalf including the ICAEW and The Academy of Experts.
ADR Dispute Resolution, Arbitration
We provide arbitrator services, appointed by parties, or appointing authorities, to resolve their business disputes by the private ADR procedure of arbitration, an alternative to rigidly formal and public court litigation. This includes issues of liability through to damages, quantum, interest and costs.
- M&A disputes;
- Commercial disputes; and
- Shareholder, joint venture and partnership disputes.
The arbitrations are conducted on an ad hoc or institutional rules basis and are subject to the applicable English arbitration law. Daniel serves on the Panel of Arbitrators of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
ADR Dispute Resolution, Early Neutral Expert Evaluation
- Early Resolution, Shareholder Disputes, Independent Expert Services
Key financial issues in owner-manager shareholder disputes include share valuations, applicability of minority discounts and correction for any prejudicial conduct about which complaint has been made.
Circumstances may indeed be complex. Should it go to court, the dispute may be particularly drawn-out , disrupting, costly, and with little certainty about the eventual outcome.
However, early and meaningful focus by the parties on the key financial issues may sufficiently inform them in their decision- making at that stage and lead to early settlement resolution of their dispute. This may avoid the delay, disruption, costs and uncertainties of a full litigation process.
We are experienced providers of preliminary limited -scope independent forensic accountant expert services for the key financial issues in shareholder disputes. This can be on a party or jointly appointed advisory basis, or if a neutral tribunal process is required, by way of non- binding expert determination procedure agreed with the parties.
Contact Daniel Djanogly or Bee-Lean Chew for an exploratory discussion or to discuss how we may be able to help in a particular matter.
Parties are advised to take professional legal advice on the suitability of any dispute resolution process for their needs and that of their dispute and in the conduct of any such process. Please note that given the neutral nature of ADR dispute resolution roles, communications in this regard will be on a disclosable basis.
Meet your forensic accountants
Chairman & Statutory Director
Jitendra Pattani’s portfolio of corporate and personal tax clients covers a wide range of business sectors, with particular focus and expertise in the hotels, renewable energy and fashion retail sectors, where he acts for several high net-worth clients with an international presence. Jitendra offers his clients technical expertise in areas that encompass corporate finance, including the due diligence of acquisitions and disposals and forensic accounting.
Special assignments undertaken by Jitendra include:
- advising on overall refinancing facilities of over £750 million for a substantial hotel group in Central London;
- advising on the £260 million acquisition of a hotel in Central London;
- advising on the £100 million sale of a hotel in Central London;
- advising on the portfolio sale of a collection of solar farms with a gross deal value of in excess of £50 million;
- acting as part of an expert witness team assisting the High Court in relation to a client’s claim for damages against a major Utilities company, where substantial damages of £2.7 million were awarded by the High Court in a landmark case.
Jitendra joined Wilder Coe in 1991 as an Audit Supervisor, was appointed as the firm’s Managing Partner in 2017 and appointed as Chairman in 2023.
He heads up Wilder Coe’s India desk, and in 2010 was awarded a British Government full Scholarship to attend an Executive Programme at the IM Ahmedabad, acclaimed as India’s Harvard, and ranked as one of the top international business schools. Through the programme, Jitendra gained valuable practical insight into the Indian markets and was able to cultivate a valuable network of contacts, aiding both Wilder Coe Ltd and our clients in business dealings in India.
Professional Memberships
- A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Professional Areas of Expertise
- Audit
- Tax Planning
- Corporate Finance
- Forensic Accounting
- Management
Sectors of Expertise
- Renewable Energy
- Hotels
- Fashion Retail
Qualifications
- FCA
Read Jitendra Pattani’s latest insights:
Managing Partner & Statutory Director
Bee-Lean Chew provides her clients with a clear and understandable presentation of facts, in all matters relating to Forensic Accounting. As an experienced member of the Forensic Accounting team and a Certified Fraud Examiner, Bee can support you with personal and corporate investigations.
Her expertise extends to the greater corporate arena where she has years of experience in audit, financial reporting and taxation. She has advised clients of all sizes, including multi-national groups, on designing and implementing financial management systems. She is particularly adept at complex IT structures and internal controls. She acts as the principal in due diligence, forensic accounting and valuation assignments.
Bee also provides CPD training to solicitors and fellow business professionals.
Bee-Lean Chew trained with Wilder Coe and became a Partner in 2005. Bee became the Joint Managing Partner of Wilder Coe, alongside Robert Bradman, in 2023.
As well as being a Chartered Accountant, Bee has a degree in Law from Kent University, a Master's Degree in Finance from the University of Strathclyde, and is an ICAEW-accredited Forensic Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Professional Memberships
- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
- Member, Network of Independent Forensic Accountants
- Accredited Member of The Academy of Experts
- ICAEW-Accredited Forensic Accountant
- Member of ICAEW Audit and Assurance Faculty
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Professional Areas of Expertise
- Audit
- Taxation
- Forensic Accounting
- Financial Reporting
- Fraud
Qualifications
- FCA
- MAE (Member of the Academy of Experts)
- CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)
Read Bee-Lean Chew’s latest insights:
- How can forensic accounting help you and your clients? - 28 Feb 23
- Richmond Half-Marathon Fundraiser - 18 Nov 22
- Investigating false accounting allegations - 24 Aug 22
Partner
Jamie Muirhead joined Wilder Coe in August 2018 after graduating from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Natural Sciences. Jamie is a Chartered Tax Advisor and Chartered Accountant after completing the ACA/CTA joint programme with Wilder Coe in 2021. Jamie was promoted to Assistant Tax Manager in 2022 and now takes on the mantle of Tax Manager at Wilder Coe.
He has a portfolio of clients including non-UK resident company landlords, high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, the self-employed and owner-managed businesses.
Jamie’s role means he advises and provides technical tax support across the business. His support has helped individuals, owner-managed businesses, and large corporate groups utilise tax reliefs to run their businesses efficiently and ensure they meet their compliance obligations.
Jamie Muirhead has advised on but is not limited to:
- The refinancing of a substantial London hotel group
- Tax due diligence for a major property developer
- Employers with internationally mobile workers
Jamie is a keen tennis player and holds several voluntary and committee roles, including philanthropy work of the International Tennis Club of Great Britain.
Professional Areas of Expertise
- Tax Planning
- Pension Planning
- Inheritance Tax
- Owner Managed businesses
- International Tax
- Capital Gains Tax
- Corporation Tax
Professional Memberships
- A Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
- A Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) Cantab
- ACA
- CTA
Partner (Forensic Accounting and Dispute Resolution)
Daniel Djanogly is a Partner at Wilder Coe based in the City of London. He has extensive experience (since 1993) in resolving business disputes as a forensic accountant, ADR neutral expert determiner, or arbitrator. He acts across a wide range of industries and specialises in contested accounting, financial loss and share valuation issues in M&A, shareholder, partnership and other complex disputes, including fraud. Daniel is the rare combination of a Chartered Accountant who is also qualified, accredited, experienced and practising as a Chartered Arbitrator.
Claimants, defendants, or both, appoint Daniel as an independent forensic accountant to provide preliminary advisory services, including for settlement purposes, through to providing opinion evidence as an expert witness in ADR procedures and High Court litigation. He is accredited as an expert witness by the ICAEW and The Academy of Experts and has testified on many occasions. Typical issues include the quantification of damages, particularly loss of profits, the valuation of shareholdings and accounting matters requiring forensic analysis.
As an expert determiner, parties appoint Daniel to resolve disputes by the issue-focused private ADR procedure of expert determination. Ordinarily, this is in relation to completion accounts, purchase price adjustment and deferred consideration in M&A disputes and share valuation issues in shareholder disputes. He accepts appointments directly from the parties in dispute or via appointing authorities on their behalf, including the ICAEW and The Academy of Experts.
As an arbitrator, he is appointed by parties or appointing authorities to resolve their business disputes by the private ADR procedure of arbitration, an alternative to rigidly formal and public court litigation. This includes issues of liability through to damages, quantum, interest and costs. The arbitrations are conducted on an ad hoc or institutional rules basis and are subject to the applicable English arbitration law. Daniel serves on the Panel of Arbitrators of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Daniel Djanogly graduated in Economics from the University of Manchester and trained and qualified (1985) as a Chartered Accountant with a “big four” firm. He has been a partner providing forensic accounting and dispute resolution services for many years at mid-tier (top-20) accountancy and leading insolvency and restructuring firms based in the City of London (and Canary Wharf), and as principal of his own firm. His experience also includes corporate finance, financial management, and commercial insurance loss adjusting services (business interruption insurance).
Professional Memberships
- Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCA)
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
- Full Member of The Academy of Experts (past Member of Council)
Professional Areas of Expertise
- Forensic Accounting
- Expert Determination
- Arbitration
Qualifications
- Chartered Accountant
- Chartered Arbitrator (CArb)
- Member of the Academy of Experts (MAE) and Qualified Dispute Resolver
Case experience
Case experience includes:
- Business disputes (contract, negligence, loss of profits, business Interruption)
- Shareholder disputes (contested share valuations, unfair prejudice)
- M&A disputes (warranties, completion accounts, purchase price adjustment, deferred consideration)
- Partnership disputes
- Fraud
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