When Shareholders Disagree on Value,
Everything Depends on the Number
A shareholder dispute without an independent valuation becomes a contest of assertions. Our ICAEW-grade reports give solicitors, mediators, and the Courts a defensible, methodology-backed number.
Minority Buyouts
When a minority shareholder is being bought out by the majority, both sides need a fair value. Without an independent valuation, the majority almost always wins the argument by default — the minority simply has no documented counter. We produce reports that give minority shareholders a credible, defensible position.
Unfair Prejudice Petitions
Section 994 of the Companies Act 2006 allows a minority shareholder to petition the Court where they have been unfairly prejudiced. These cases almost always require an expert valuation. We produce reports prepared to the standard expected in legal proceedings, with full methodology documented.
Deadlocked Partnerships
When two 50/50 shareholders cannot agree and one needs to buy the other out, neither party has leverage without an independent value. Our valuations provide the neutral baseline that allows deadlocked situations to resolve without escalating to litigation.
Drag-Along & Tag-Along Disputes
Where shareholders disagree on the value at which drag-along rights should be exercised, or whether a tag-along offer reflects fair value, an independent business valuation is the instrument that resolves the dispute or informs the Court.
Estate and Probate Valuations
When shares in a private company form part of a deceased estate, an independent valuation is required for probate and for HMRC inheritance tax purposes. We produce valuations that satisfy both HMRC and the executors' legal obligations.
Expert Witness Reports
Where a valuation dispute proceeds to arbitration or litigation, an expert witness report prepared to the standard expected by the Courts may be required. We produce reports capable of withstanding cross-examination, with every assumption documented and defensible.
We Work Alongside
Your Solicitors
Shareholder dispute valuations sit at the intersection of financial analysis and legal proceedings. The report needs to be produced to a standard that a solicitor can rely on, a mediator can work with, and a judge can read.
We regularly work alongside commercial litigation solicitors and are familiar with the documentation standards expected in dispute-related valuations. If you are a solicitor with a client who needs a business valuation for dispute purposes, we can produce the report directly for your file.
Every assumption is documented. Every input is sourced. The methodology is explained so that it can be interrogated by the opposing party's advisers without falling apart under scrutiny.
What the Report Includes
Stated open market value conclusion, with methodology and range where appropriate
DCF modelling and normalised EBITDA analysis with documented assumptions
Comparable transaction evidence sourced and referenced
Minority and marketability discount analysis where applicable
Independence statement confirming no conflict of interest
Signed by an ICAEW Chartered Accountant — professional standing the Courts recognise
From Enquiry to Defensible Report
Three steps. 7-10 days. A number that holds up in any room.
Tell Us Your Situation
Describe the transaction, your role, and what the valuation needs to achieve. Kishen reviews every enquiry personally and responds within one business day.
ICAEW-Grade Analysis
DCF modelling, normalised EBITDA, comparable transactions — calibrated to your sector, your use case, and your specific transaction context.
Your Signed Report
Delivered within 7-10 days. Signed by an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Ready for HMRC, your lender, investors, solicitors, or the opposing side.
Partner-Led.
Start to Finish.
Kishen leads every engagement personally — reviewing the financials, building the model, writing the report, and signing it. There are no junior analysts and no handoffs. The person who understands your business is the person whose name is on the report.
12+ years across Investment Banking, Big Four audit at Deloitte, and UK SME corporate advisory. Every report is prepared to the standard that HMRC, the Courts, investors, and acquirers recognise.
Kishen Patel
Founder, Consult EFC · BFP ACA
ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Big Four trained at Deloitte. 12+ years across Investment Banking, Big Four audit, and UK SME corporate advisory. Personally leads every engagement from first call to signed report.
“We had a deadlocked 50/50 partnership and needed to buy the other shareholder out. Our solicitor recommended getting an independent valuation before any negotiations. Consult EFC produced a thorough, well-documented report that both solicitors accepted as a fair basis for settlement. It avoided what could have been very expensive litigation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Whatever the situation —
the number has to be right.
No obligation. Fixed fees. ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Response within one business day.