Forensics Forum: Enhancing legal expertise

We’re excited to launch our national Forensics Forum: Enhancing legal expertise, beginning in February 2025 with an array of local and international presenters.

Delivered virtually over two weeks, you’ll hear the latest insights on disputes and litigation, as well as investigations and payroll from Grant Thornton forensics specialists, industry speakers and regulators.

We’ve lined up eight sessions, they will also be recorded to watch on-demand if you're unable to make it. Click the register now button below for a breakdown of the sessions and timings.

Fill out the form and select your sessions to register your attendance.

View Agenda & Speakers

Agenda & Speakers

Tuesday 18 February 2025 | 10:30am – 11:30am AEDT

Class actions are on the rise and litigation funding has also seen substantial growth. Law firms are facing increased pressure to adapt to client’s changing needs, especially as clients look to manage costs and create efficiencies. Disputes continue to be prevalent after deal closure, with plaintiffs challenging earn-out provisions and regulatory compliance. How does this compare to the Australian forensics landscape?   

Speakers:

  • Philippa Hill - Partner & Head of Forensic and Investigation Services at Grant Thornton UK
  • Chrissy Wilkinson - Director, Forensic & Investigation Services at Grant Thornton UK
  • Darryn Hockley - Partner, Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia

Tuesday 18 February 2025 | 11:30am - 12:30pm AEDT

AI is no longer just a buzz word, it’s become an engrained tool in corporate society to help us perform our jobs more efficiently. What role is AI playing in investigations and what are the parameters when it comes to expert witness testimony and use in legal proceedings?

Speakers:

  • Vijay Rathour - Partner & Head of Cyber and Digital Investigations at Grant Thornton UK 
  • Darryn Hockley - Partner, Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm AEDT

With 23,500 followers on LinkedIn, Thomas Caldow has created a unique following profiling the latest court rulings about all things expert evidence. Hear Tom’s year in review for 2024 and his top judgements related to EBIT vs EBITDA, size discounts and fair market value including In the matter of Munja Bakehouse Pty Ltd [2024] NSWSC 6 and Porter & Anor v Mulcahy & Co Accounting Services Pty Ltd & Ors (No 5) [2024] VSC 6.  

Speaker:

  • Thomas Caldow - Partner, Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia 

Wednesday 19 February 2025 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm AEDT

Technology and data analytics have come leaps and bounds and is revolutionising the way we conduct traditional forensics investigations. 

Using a recent asset tracing investigation for the basis of the discussion, Kelly and Daniel will walk though:

  • What is data analytics?
  • The analytics project lifecycle;
  • Analytics tools and applications; and
  • Case Study: A recent asset tracing investigation

Speakers:

  • Kelly Rigby - Partner, Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia
  • Daniel Previtera - Director, Financial Advisory at Grant Thornton Australia 

Wednesday 26 February 2025 | 10:30am - 11:30am AEDT

The Fair Work Ombudsman successfully recovered 473 million in unpaid wages and entitlements for nearly 160,000 underpaid workers in Australia according to its 2023-24 annual report. 64 litigations were filed, 15 enforceable undertakings were entered and 17,504 workplace disputes were resolved.

Hear directly from Cletus Brown from the Fair Work Ombudsman on common patterns observed across these cases, and the impact of changing legislation such as ‘closing the loopholes’ and criminalisation of intentional underpayment of wages. 

Speakers:

  • Cletus Brown - Director of Knowledge at The Fair Work Ombudsman 
  • Alex Bell - Partner & National Head of Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia

Wednesday 26 February 2025 | 11:30am - 12:30pm AEDT

Anecdotally shareholder oppression cases are on the rise.

This session will explore the intricacies of shareholder oppression disputes, focusing on the critical role that valuation experts play in these cases.  Using recent case studies and judgements Darryn will explore the roles from advisory expert, shadow expert, adversarial expert to the independent objective valuer.

Speaker:

  • Darryn Hockley - Partner, Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia 

Thursday 27 February 2025 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm AEDT

With an emphasis on insolvency and litigation matters in the property and construction sector the presenters will unpack the use of joint experts, the pros and cons of individual or joint reports and working with instructing solicitors and counsel.

Speakers:

  • Joseph Box - Partner, Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia
  • Michael McCann - Partner, Financial Advisory at Grant Thornton Australia

Thursday 27 February 2025 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm AEDT

Corporate and litigation lawyers know well the diverse range of issues that can arise post-acquisition – breach of warranties and representations, earn-out provisions, post-closing adjustments, intellectual property right challenges, and integration challenges to name a few. Combining our respective forensic and M&A expertise, we will identify where risks lie, the all-too-common issues that arise and approaches during the transaction to mitigate the risk of post transaction disputes.

Speaker:

  • Anne Dale - Partner, Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia
  • Jessica Collins - Director, Corporate Finance at Grant Thornton Australia

Series Facilitators

Alex Bell is a Partner and National Head of Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia. Built on over 20 years forensic consulting experience across Australia and the UK, Alex knows what it takes to achieve the right forensic outcome.
Alex Bell
Alex Bell
Partner & National Head of Forensic Consulting
Darryn Hockley is a Partner in Forensic Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia. Based in Melbourne Darryn leads the Forensic Consulting offering across Southern Australia including Melbourne and Perth, and has conducted matters across all states of Australia.
Darryn Hockley
Darryn Hockley
Partner, Forensic Consulting

For all series enquiries please contact:

communications@au.gt.com


Stay up to date

Analysis of data and financial information within a legal dispute is regularly called upon as a key and reliable – and objective – piece of evidence when it comes to establishing true value, finding proof of issues, or spotting early warning signs requiring attention.

However, this financial information is often not always complete, crucial parts are overlooked and can be affected by a range of internal and external factors.

Finding this information and giving it a practical meaning and application requires specialist skills and technology.

Our Forensic Consulting team works with intermediaries and clients to independently find, understand and articulate the financial information of businesses, industry trends, and economic activity. This information is crucial to establishing the key issues of a dispute – be that commercial litigation or family law – and is critical evidence to issues you are investigating and can help you meet your regulatory obligations, like payroll assurance.

We stay across the latest developments affecting forensic accounting, from new technologies and industry trends to recent judgments impacting related matters and future investigations.

Thanks for subscribing!

We look forward to sharing our insights with you.