Areas of Specialism

Forensic Accounting

Legal actions containing financial information have a tendency to involve large numbers of financial exhibits.

The forensic accountant's role is to focus the attention of the Solicitors, Barristers and the Court on the key areas.

The expert's most important function is to extract and interpret the data and lead those instructing him to an organised, coherent and objective conclusion.

Police/Accountants Panel

Philip de Nahlik became Chairman of the Accountancy Panel assisting the Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire Constabularies.

This panel was formed in 1999 under the auspices of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales to help the police conduct their investigation into 'white collar' crime. This appointment, after 16 years of defence-focused work, gives insights into the prosecution thought process and makes visits to police stations when acting for the defence marginally less tortuous.

Confiscation Proceedings

This is now the Crown's second strike weapon in support of which they seem to be deploying unqualified investigators. These proceedings being, post verdict, are suddenly of paramount importance to the Defendant.

Philip de Nahlik's experience suggests two things:

The response has to be from a qualified, experienced and commercial Forensic Accountant.
That a round table meeting of Counsel, Solicitors and Accountants from both sides discussing the contentious figures, frequently gives rise to a more balanced and equitable compromise and can result in a sustainable conclusion being presented to the Court. This discussion seems to be most successfully conducted on the hearing day, under the 'guillotine' of the Judge's patience.