DWF Forensic
We are a team of forensic accountants, accredited investigators and intelligence analysts. We provide support when key commercial or regulatory relationships break down, or if disruption arises through fraud or other criminal activity.
Over the years we have each assisted clients with the quantification or challenge of losses arising from business interruption; breach of contract; defamation; fire and water damage; breach of copyright and losses arising from personal injury; as well as completing investigations related to both the UK Fraud and Bribery Acts (typically following whistle-blower activity); and we have worked closely with legal teams and the police to secure civil recoveries and criminal convictions across the globe.
What's next for the UK insurance industry?
Our Forensic expertise includes:
We offer both Corporate Intelligence and specialist Insurance Intelligence services.
Corporate intelligence was previously the exclusive preserve of large risk consultancy firms. We however, offer a unique, affordable and bespoke solution for investigative due diligence purposes.
We have developed three services:
- Reputational Due Diligence
- Financial Due Diligence
- Key Person Due Diligence
Download our information sheet here >
It is widely estimated that around 10% of all insurance claims expenditure is attributable to fraud. Our insurance intelligence service helps clients manage the cost of fraud through proactive screening, claimant profiling and bespoke investigation services purposes.
Download our information sheet here >
Our DWF Sonar service verifies claimant information through a comprehensive set of search tools, many of which are not accessible to legal advisers and claims handlers outside of fraud departments. Find out how to request your free sample report and lower the cost of your claims.
We work either as part of a privilege protected legal advice team alongside DWF lawyers forming one of the largest insurance and claims teams in the UK, to provide immediate, cost effective access to forensic accounting expertise, allowing the insurer client to make informed decisions about the approach to take long before a case would typically be sent to an external accountant. We can also receive direct instruction from insurers.
Download our information sheet here >
Find out more about DWF's legal expertise in the Insurance sector >
Should a business suffer fraud, bribery or other financial irregularity, response time is critical. We react quickly to identify, locate and secure key evidence. That evidence is typically stored electronically on computer hard drives and servers, which must be copied in a forensically robust manner. We secure and analyse emails and other communication sources such as text and voicemail messages. We identify the key suspects and conduct thorough investigative interviews.
Depending upon the circumstances, we communicate our findings to the Board; senior management or independent sub-committees. We can also provide post-incident reports on any control failings and offer advice to improve the robustness of fraud prevention controls.
Our aim is to work closely with you, our legal and intelligence teams, your insurers and where necessary the police, in order to bring the matter to a swift conclusion and to minimise disruption. Typical outcomes include civil recoveries and/or criminal convictions across the globe.
Our strengths lie in understanding, calculating and challenging claims for losses; whether they be attributable to commercial disputes or insurance claims. Spreadsheets, accounting systems and calculations are typically the cornerstones of our day to day activities.
We provide support with the quantification and challenge of business losses arising from breach of contract, copyright issues and defamation. We also provide support to our clients subject to penalties arising from regulatory intervention.
Key Information
Chris Wheeler
- Director // Head of DWF Forensic Services
- T: +44 (0)20 7220 5222
- M: +44 (0)7725 625003
- E: wal.fwd@releehw.sirhc
People
Helen Walters
- Forensic Accountant
Lauren Highton
- Forensic Accountant
Rachel Bray
- Forensic Accountant
Victoria Middleton
- Director
Lisa Sanzeri
- Director