The Court Process

We provide services in the following ways:

• As an independent accounting expert (with a duty to the client, but with a primary or overriding duty to the court) – this can be either as an expert appointed by one party only or as a single expert chosen by the parties or by the court; or

• As a consultant accounting expert (with a duty to the client, but not to the court), e.g. to make an initial assessment of factual and conceptual matters or to comment on the expert witness report of either party; or

• As a referee in a reference out of court.

Critical personal skills for an independent expert accountant in court processes:

• Objectivity, independence, integrity and candour

• Ability to express reason

• Skills in written and verbal communication

• Ability to avoid jargon

• Team work with solicitors and counsel

• Work under pressure, including deadlines and the witness box

• Ability to present the case, without sacrifice of objectivity

• Knowledge of relevant case law and court and professional codes of expert witness conduct.