Phil Southall

Head of Forensic Services

I have specialised in forensic services since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1999. I have a First Class Maths degree and was a university prize-winner.

I am a member of the ICAEW forensic and expert witness community advisory group, which helps shape the technical development of ICAEW forensic and expert witness faculty members.  I am also on the forensic accounting committee of the UK200Group, the UK’s leading association of quality-assured professionals.

I qualified with a Big 4 accountancy firm, before spending two and a half years as an “in-house” forensic accountant at a top 20 law firm, where I developed their then unique approach to dispute resolution, which included using “decision analysis” in litigation.

I established a forensic accounting boutique in Birmingham in 2006, prior to launching Ellacotts Forensic Services in 2023.

I am regularly instructed as an expert or advisor across a broad spectrum of cases, including:

• shareholder disputes, matrimonial disputes and other valuation matters
• breach of warranty claims and completion account disputes
• contractual or commercial disputes
• professional negligence claims
• business interruption claims
• fraud investigations

I have acted for a wide range of clients including corporate clients, individuals, insurers, local Government and a Government department.  I have attended numerous mediations and have also given oral evidence in court, including several ‘hot-tubbing’ experiences.

In reported cases, judges have said:

“I clearly prefer the evidence of Mr Southall…The three factors he identifies at paragraph 6.10 of the Joint Statement provide a compelling basis for [t]his opinion.”

“Since it is more in accordance with the evidence and the commercial realities, I prefer Mr Southall’s consistent, and common sense, analysis, reasoning and conclusion.”

“I found Mr Southall’s answers convincing and see no reason to depart from his opinion…”

To relax I enjoy watching sports, mainly football, especially Aston Villa, travelling and spending time with my children.