We have over 30 years' experience advising and defending accountants with expert accounting lawyers

Our accountants team has extensive experience of handling both contentious and non-contentious matters for accountancy firms. We have been involved in numerous high profile matters and are uniquely placed to assist all sizes and types of accountancy firms.

On the non-contentious side, our professional practice lawyers offer a range of services for the largest international accounting networks as well as for smaller firms. These include risk management implications for global networks, and insurance and reinsurance captive arrangements under the different legal and regulatory regimes in which they operate.

Our contentious experience includes defending firms sued in small to multimillion-pound claims, and dealing with disputes covering the full range of audit, tax, advisory, valuation and insolvency services provided by accountants. We handle claims concerning allegations of failure by the auditors to detect fraud. This is a specialised area requiring specific expertise with regards to auditors’ reports. We advise on a range of regulatory, disciplinary and investigatory proceedings, and guide our clients through the particular challenges presented by parallel domestic and cross-border civil and disciplinary proceedings.

We also work with a number of accountancy firms in relation to their employment matters, partnership disputes and team moves.

Our Accountants Work

  • All
  • UK & Europe
  • Fraud screening processes uncovers large motor fraud ring

    We acted for an insurer on a large motor fraud operation. The operation focused on 367 third parties claiming against 136 fraudulently incepted policies and was complex given it involved suspected staged accidents where often individuals did not exist. The strategies resulted in savings of 3.4 million for the insurer client. Additionally, following over 500 individuals being under investigation; payments were made on just 4 claims in total (97.55% success rate).

    United Kingdom

    Fraudulent claims result in custodial sentences

    We successfully applied for the committal of three Defendants for contempt of court. The application was made following their attempts to bring a fraudulent insurance claim, in relation to a staged road traffic accident. The first and third Defendants filed witness statements refuting our client’s allegations of fraudulent behaviour. All Defendants received custodial sentences, this ruling has important ramifications for those involved in fraudulent claims. 

    United Kingdom

    Own goal by non-league footballer as TV appearance defeats dishonest claim

    The claimant, attempted to claim over £55,000 for injury in a road traffic accident, he claimed that injuries to his foot meant he could neither stand nor walk for long periods. His appearance on Sky TV’s Soccer AM for scoring a goal from the halfway line, was one of the pieces of evidence we presented to the Court to prove the claimant was exaggerating the extent of his injuries. He agreed to a court order to withdraw his insurance claim and pay £5,000 costs.

    United Kingdom

    Employee-led fraud ring

    Representing a large local authority on a sensitive employee-led fraud ring. We ensured that reputational damage was avoided whilst achieving maximum repudiation and an IFED referral.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggerated claim undone by investigation

    We acted for a large public liability insurer following a genuine accident. The claimant alleged serious physical and psychological injuries, with his claim for damages and costs in excess of GBP 40,000. Our investigation uncovered that he was lifting heavy weights and we obtained video of him on one of the world’s highest waterslides. At trial, the claim was dismissed and the claimant was ordered to pay GBP 14,000 in costs.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggeration costs claimant dearly

    Following a genuine accident at work, our insurer client contacted us as they were concerned about the extent and impact of the injuries. This claim was handled using our Project Martello strategy for exaggerated claims. Our investigation uncovered that the Claimant was much more active than he was admitting. The Court ordered that the GBP 260,000 claim be discontinued and the claimant to pay GBP 5,000 to the Defendant.

    United Kingdom

    First industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring

    Acting for several large clients in the Preston area dealing with, what was deemed to be, the first industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring. We assisted our client by liaising with the IFB and delivered a 100% repudiation rate for all intimated claims.

    United Kingdom

    First private prosecution for public liability claim

    Acting on behalf of a global insurer defending a staged tripping claim brought against a supermarket. After defending the original GBP 60,000 claim to a successful conclusion at trial, we then pursued a private prosecution against the claimant - who received a 21 month suspended jail sentence for her part in the scam.

    United Kingdom

    Motor Fraudsters jailed for contempt of court

    We pursued contempt of court actions against three individuals who had brought claims against a top 10 UK motor insurer following a staged road traffic accident, part of a larger fraud ring investigation. While the claims had not proceeded to trial meaning the three individuals hadn't lied under oath, we pursued contempt proceedings and they each received prison sentences of between 4 and 6 months.

    United Kingdom
  • Fraudulent claims result in custodial sentences

    We successfully applied for the committal of three Defendants for contempt of court. The application was made following their attempts to bring a fraudulent insurance claim, in relation to a staged road traffic accident. The first and third Defendants filed witness statements refuting our client’s allegations of fraudulent behaviour. All Defendants received custodial sentences, this ruling has important ramifications for those involved in fraudulent claims. 

    United Kingdom

    Fraud screening processes uncovers large motor fraud ring

    We acted for an insurer on a large motor fraud operation. The operation focused on 367 third parties claiming against 136 fraudulently incepted policies and was complex given it involved suspected staged accidents where often individuals did not exist. The strategies resulted in savings of 3.4 million for the insurer client. Additionally, following over 500 individuals being under investigation; payments were made on just 4 claims in total (97.55% success rate).

    United Kingdom

    Own goal by non-league footballer as TV appearance defeats dishonest claim

    The claimant, attempted to claim over £55,000 for injury in a road traffic accident, he claimed that injuries to his foot meant he could neither stand nor walk for long periods. His appearance on Sky TV’s Soccer AM for scoring a goal from the halfway line, was one of the pieces of evidence we presented to the Court to prove the claimant was exaggerating the extent of his injuries. He agreed to a court order to withdraw his insurance claim and pay £5,000 costs.

    United Kingdom

    Employee-led fraud ring

    Representing a large local authority on a sensitive employee-led fraud ring. We ensured that reputational damage was avoided whilst achieving maximum repudiation and an IFED referral.

    United Kingdom

    First industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring

    Acting for several large clients in the Preston area dealing with, what was deemed to be, the first industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring. We assisted our client by liaising with the IFB and delivered a 100% repudiation rate for all intimated claims.

    United Kingdom

    Motor Fraudsters jailed for contempt of court

    We pursued contempt of court actions against three individuals who had brought claims against a top 10 UK motor insurer following a staged road traffic accident, part of a larger fraud ring investigation. While the claims had not proceeded to trial meaning the three individuals hadn't lied under oath, we pursued contempt proceedings and they each received prison sentences of between 4 and 6 months.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggerated claim undone by investigation

    We acted for a large public liability insurer following a genuine accident. The claimant alleged serious physical and psychological injuries, with his claim for damages and costs in excess of GBP 40,000. Our investigation uncovered that he was lifting heavy weights and we obtained video of him on one of the world’s highest waterslides. At trial, the claim was dismissed and the claimant was ordered to pay GBP 14,000 in costs.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggeration costs claimant dearly

    Following a genuine accident at work, our insurer client contacted us as they were concerned about the extent and impact of the injuries. This claim was handled using our Project Martello strategy for exaggerated claims. Our investigation uncovered that the Claimant was much more active than he was admitting. The Court ordered that the GBP 260,000 claim be discontinued and the claimant to pay GBP 5,000 to the Defendant.

    United Kingdom

    First private prosecution for public liability claim

    Acting on behalf of a global insurer defending a staged tripping claim brought against a supermarket. After defending the original GBP 60,000 claim to a successful conclusion at trial, we then pursued a private prosecution against the claimant - who received a 21 month suspended jail sentence for her part in the scam.

    United Kingdom

Our Accountants team

Lee Astfalck
Lee Astfalck

Partner

Scott Bertschi
Scott Bertschi

Partner

Laura Besvinick
Laura Besvinick

Partner

Mark Beswetherick
Mark Beswetherick

Partner

Anthony Brown
Anthony Brown

Partner

Isabel Burón
Isabel Burón

Partner

Wim Cilliers
Wim Cilliers

Partner

Tim Crockford
Tim Crockford

Partner

Carolena Gordon
Carolena Gordon

Global Senior Partner and Chair of Global Management Board

Robert Hill
Robert Hill

Partner

Chris Holme
Chris Holme

Partner

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