Chris Makin began his career in Leeds in general practice before specialising in forensic accounting, mediation and expert determination. He grew his own practice, became a partner in a regional practice and then an international practice, gaining vast knowledge and experience over the past five decades.
Now practising from his home in West Yorkshire and rooms in London, Chris works on legal cases that require his extensive expertise.
I was very impressed by the way this case was resolved.
“The opportunity to work as the forensic accountant and expert witness on a high profile case in the late 80s sparked my passion for forensic accounting. I went on to qualify as a mediator, and I was one of the first five in the country to be accredited as an expert determiner.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve given lectures, written books and articles for publication, and mentored the forensic accountants of tomorrow. I spent 14 years on the forensic committee at the Institute of Chartered Accountants, helping to introduce regulation in the industry.”
“I’ve worked on a wide variety of challenging legal cases, given expert evidence in court more than 100 times, and my settlement rate in mediation runs at around 80%. I love helping people, which is where I believe my passion for mediation comes from. I enjoy solving problems and working with clients to support them in achieving the best outcome.”
Starting his chartered accountancy career working for a two-partner practice, Chris eventually took over as a sole practitioner and grew to 18 staff. He then merged the practice with a West Yorkshire practice which in turn merged with an international practice with 250 partners.
Here, he developed his team of forensic accountants, which he took with him when starting the Leeds office of another national firm, growing that into a full service office as managing partner and then national litigation head.
Chris has been actively involved as a forensic accountant and expert witness since 1989, in a vast range of cases in the civil, criminal and family courts, and at public enquiries and professional standards tribunals.
Cases handled include loss of profits and consequential loss, business and share valuations, matrimonial valuations, partnership disputes, professional negligence, criminal and civil fraud investigations, personal injury, clinical negligence and fatal accidents, intellectual property, director disqualification, drug trafficking and proceeds of crime cases – the list goes on.
Disputes can be tough, resolving them can be even tougher. Chris helps by liaising with both parties to really understand them, and make sure an agreement is met. Chris has experience as a civil and commercial mediator in many industries and activities. Using his extensive experience Chris helps parties reach a solution they can live with.
As an expert determiner, Chris was one of the first 5 to be accredited by The Academy of Experts, the only body in the world to offer this accreditation for expert determination. With over 20 years of experience, he is on the panel of expert determiners for the president of ICAEW, of whom there are only about 100. He also acts as an examiner in expert determination for The Academy of Experts, where he is a fellow, one of only some 60 worldwide.
