We act in professional negligence matters concerning all accounting related services, in particular, accounting and audit services, tax planning and compliance, insolvency and corporate finance. We are experienced in acting in highly complex cases of this type, often where a range of services have been provided, and are adept at setting out the key issues in a straight forward and user friendly style. We have experience of both disciplinary proceedings and commercial litigation.
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Case studies
Appointed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland to provide expert witness evidence involving disciplinary proceedings against an insolvency practitioner who advised an insolvent company and its director. We were asked to advise on an informal arrangement proposed by the practitioner and the fact that he sought appointment as liquidator following on from that arrangement. In particular, we addressed the scope of the practitioner’s role commenting on whether he was involved in the management of the company in question and whether his actions could have resulted in allegations of wrongful trading.
Appointed to defend allegations of auditor negligence concerning the treatment of negative goodwill in the accounts of a manufacturer of frozen food products. The trade and assets of the business were purchased in a forced sale for a nominal value resulting in negative goodwill of over £20 million. The claim was brought by the liquidator of the acquiring company, who claimed that the treatment of negative goodwill had enabled the directors of the company to declare an illegal dividend.
Expert witness acting in defence of a firm of solicitors in respect of a claim involving negligent tax advice. This was an extremely complex matter involving several property transactions and related tax planning advice to shelter capital gains in relation to individuals, a company and a pension fund. The claimants alleged that the solicitors had failed to properly advise them in respect of a claim against the tax advisor.