Expert Witness - Thames Valley

Evaluate

Our client DLA Piper, a top city law firm, was acting on behalf of the Claimant who had previously engaged the services of a Capital Allowances firm (the Defendant) to prepare their claim on a new £40m headquarters building. The Claimant had felt that the Defendant had not optimised their Capital Allowances claim fully, resulting in the Claimant potentially paying too much tax. The Claimant’s ‘Big 4’ accountants had tried to re-negotiate the claim with HM Revenue and Customs but this proved unsuccessful. DLA Piper was engaged to recover their loss and seek damages from the Defendant for their alleged negligent professional advice.

Evolve

DLA Piper appointed Alun Oliver FRICS, Managing Director of E3 Consulting, as an expert witness to assist them and their client (the Claimant). E3 reviewed the legal bundles to establish the cause and determine the extent of any professional negligence by the Defendant. E3 also quantified the ‘true claim’ and considered the tax suffered unnecessarily and all the relevant professional fees in addressing the issue.

E3 Consulting also identified a number of additional issues, previously unconsidered and prepared a detailed Expert Witness report for the Claimant and their legal team to consult in pursuing their claim.

Enhance

Our report formed the basis of the Claimant’s pleadings and the Defendant decided to settle the claim without a court hearing.

Testimonial

Partner, DLA Piper:

'Alun’s expertise really helped to move the case forward in a decisive manner; enabling us to gain a good settlement from the Defendants without our client having to incur trial costs.'