How We Work
The Sterling Forensic approach: senior-led, independent, and court-ready from instruction to testimony.
Our Principles
Senior involvement from instruction
Every engagement is assessed and led by a senior forensic accountant. You speak directly with the person who will write the report and give evidence.
Independence as a professional duty
Our primary duty is to the court. We advise promptly when our preliminary view is adverse to the instructing party, before significant costs are incurred.
Breadth of experience
Our practice spans commercial, family, construction, insolvency, and regulatory proceedings. This breadth informs our approach to each new instruction.
Sector-specific methodology
We apply sector-appropriate valuation and loss quantification methodology, whether the dispute involves a construction subcontractor, a SaaS business, or a dental practice.
Transparent fee communication
We provide fee estimates at the outset and agree scope before commencing work. No surprises on billing.
Our Process
- 1
Initial enquiry
Contact us with a brief description of the matter. We respond within one business day with availability and preliminary views on whether expert evidence is warranted.
- 2
Conflict check and terms
We conduct a conflict check and provide terms of engagement with a fee estimate based on the scope of work required.
- 3
Document review and analysis
We review the financial records provided, conduct our analysis, and identify any additional information required.
- 4
Draft report and consultation
We prepare a draft report and discuss our preliminary findings with instructing solicitors before finalising.
- 5
Report delivery
The final report is delivered in accordance with CPR Part 35, FPR Part 25, or CrPR Part 33 as appropriate.
- 6
Joint expert meeting
Where appointed as SJE or where a joint expert meeting is directed, we meet with the opposing expert to identify areas of agreement and disagreement.
- 7
Oral evidence
Where required, we provide oral evidence at trial, FDR, or arbitration, with clear and direct testimony under cross-examination.
Construction Instructions: A Note on Timeline
Construction disputes frequently involve complex document sets: programmes, site records, cost reports, and variations. Sterling Forensic confirms realistic timelines for construction quantum instructions at the outset, taking into account the volume and complexity of financial records to be reviewed.
Instruct Sterling Forensic
Get in touch to discuss your forensic accounting instruction. We aim to respond within one working day.