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Shareholder and business partner disputes

Forensic accounting and valuation support | How we help

Big firm expertise, small firm relationships

We frequently act in relation to shareholder or business partner disputes, including valuing a specific shareholding or providing expert forensic accounting advice on certain areas in dispute.

We are well placed to act in relation to a range of disputes between shareholders and business partners, including:

  • A minority shareholder raising an unfair prejudice claim for their unfair treatment and exclusion from a company;
  • Issues in relation to balances owed to or from a director by the company, through a director’s loan account (or “DLA”);
  • Acting for minority shareholders in relation to other conduct of majority shareholders;
  • Disputes relating to the terms of departing shareholders;
  • Investigations in relation to financial irregularities; and
  • Other disagreements relating to the value of shares in a business.

Recent case experience

  • Instructed as expert advisor in relation to a shareholder dispute involving the former managing director of a construction company with turnover of over £400 million, valuing a minority shareholding in the context of a compulsory buy-out.
  • Instructed as expert advisor in relation to a shareholder dispute relating to unfair prejudice, involving the valuation of a solar farm business with an equity value of around £20 million.
  • Instructed as an expert witness in a UK High Court matter in relation to a dispute regarding the profit share mechanism of a property development joint venture. This involved the detailed review of thousands of documents to establish the correct allocation of costs.
  • Instructed as shadow expert in relation to a valuation dispute involving a family-owned domiciliary care business.
  • Instructed as a single joint expert in relation to a claim against a former company director, regarding the disputed balance of a director’s loan account. This involved the detailed review of accounting records to reconstruct the actual position.

You were able to deal with a large volume of evidence by email and was able to deliver an excellently packaged schedule of special damages on time and on budget with all necessary appendices to show the documentation upon which the calculations were based.

The presentation of the calculations made the schedule easy to follow and the arguments relating to future loss of earnings and loss of future pension rights helped tremendously in the preparation of the client’s case for a planned Joint Settlement Meeting.

The eventual settlement was based largely on the schedule of loss that was presented; without the professionalism involved in the presentation of the losses we would not have been able to negotiate the very large settlement that we did”

Civil recovery case

In short, both mine and Counsel’s view are that this is an excellent report – very detailed and precise and explains the methodology step-wise in a way which is clear. There is nothing that either of us would seek to add or query at this stage.

Civil recovery case

Just a quick line to thank you for all your work for our trial last week. Not only did you produce comprehensive accounts, we feel you were infinitely more proactive than necessary. Sitting in on meetings with barristers, asking questions that we hadn’t considered.

Crime and fraud case

We used Sedulo Forensics to investigate losses that our clients have lost due to Fraud within their business. We have found their investigations to be in-depth, precise and accurate at calculating loss. You were knowledgeable, personable and understanding in what are often difficult situations for our clients. Sedulo Forensics have an excellent panel of expert witnesses with a lot of court experience. We would recommend their services to our clients again.

Crime and fraud case

I just wanted to thank you for doing an excellent job in preparing your report, particularly given the tight time constraints.

Forensic accounting services

Thank you very much for the draft report. May I say that it is one of the best I have ever received.

Forensic accounting services

The attention to detail you need, when you need it most.

Our extensive experience includes a wide range of disputes, from small matters to large international disputes with quantum well in excess of £100m.

We frequently act at all stages of the disputes process, from early stage advisory, as a useful tool in the negotiation / alternative dispute resolution process, or as an expert witness from the preparation of expert reports through to a hearing.

We can assist you with the following:

  • Initial advisory prior to issuance of a claim;
  • Preparation of analysis to assist in the mediation process;
  • Assistance with disclosure;
  • Preparation of CPR 35 compliant expert reports;
  • Working with the corresponding expert in the preparation of a joint statement; and
  • Attendance at hearing and expert testimony.

We’re proud to be accredited and registered with:

  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
  • Association of Accounting Technicians
  • UK Register of Expert Witnesses
  • The Academy of Experts
  • Investors in People Gold

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Mark Strafford

HEAD OF CIVIL FORENSIC ACCOUNTING