Expert Witness Services

Matrimonial Financial Dispute Who: A solicitor acting for the respondent in high-value divorce proceedings involving a family business and investment portfolio.

Challenge: Significant disagreement over the true value of the business and hidden assets; the court required independent expert evidence on company valuation and profit extraction.

Solution: Matplus prepared a single joint expert report on business valuation using multiple methodologies (earnings multiples, net assets, DCF), traced questionable transactions, and provided oral evidence at the final hearing.

Result:

• Court accepted the Matplus valuation as the primary basis for asset division.
• Narrowed disputed value range from £1.2m to a £150k band.
• Assisted client in achieving a fairer settlement without prolonged litigation.

Shareholder Dispute & Unfair Prejudice Petition Who: A law firm representing a minority shareholder in a petition under s994 Companies Act alleging exclusion and financial mismanagement.

Challenge: Complex claims of diverted profits and undervaluation of shares required forensic reconstruction of accounts and an independent fair value assessment.

Solution: Matplus conducted forensic analysis of ledgers and bank records, prepared an expert report on adjusted maintainable profits and fair value, and supported joint expert meetings to agree core facts.

Result:

• Report formed the foundation for successful negotiation pre-trial.
• Fair value determined at 35% above the majority shareholder’s position.
• Matter settled out of court with favourable terms for the minority shareholder.

Professional Negligence Claim Who: A claimant’s solicitor pursuing a negligence action against former accountants for overstated profits leading to overpayment on acquisition.

Challenge: Quantification of loss required forensic review of pre-acquisition accounts, identification of misstatements, and calculation of economic damage.

Solution: Matplus produced a detailed expert report quantifying the overstatement and resultant loss, attended joint expert meetings, and prepared for cross-examination on methodology and assumptions.

Result:

• Loss figure accepted by defendant experts after joint statement.
• Claim settled at 85% of the quantified amount pre-trial.
• Clear, defensible evidence strengthened the claimant’s position throughout.