ABOUT ME
I AM78 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE 28 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE FINANCIAL AND LEGAL SERVICES INDUSTRY. I WAS AMIDDDLE GRADE MANAGER IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND CIVIL SRVICE UNTIL 1986 WHEN I RESIGNED TO START MY OWN CONSULTANCY. OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS I OPERATED ON BOTH A LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL BASIS. I HAD CLIENTS IN GREECE, FRANCE,ITALY AND SWITZERLAND. LOCALLY, I OPERATED A FINANCE BROKERAGE CONSULTANCY AND PERFORMED A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING BANK NEGOTIATIONS, HELPING DISTRESSED BORROWERS FACING REPOSSESSION, ADVISING SOLICITORS ON POSSIBLE DEFENCES TO LENDER LITIGATION AND SHORTFALL AGREEMENTS.
MY PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ARE THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN MANAGEMENT, A POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA AND A MASTERS DEGREE IN LAW.
WITH 38 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE I BRING A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND KNOW HOW TO HELP CLIENTS
Some career landmarks
Protection money allowed as busness expense
I was the first accountant in Northern Ireland to have protection money paid to paramilitary organisations allowed as a legitimate business expense. The Government subsequently passed legislation prohibiting such claims. The winning argument was based on the fact that HMRC already accepted and taxed claims of an illegal activity. Specifically, earnings of prostitutes were taxable and expenses allowed.
Unfair relationship law introduced in to NI legal system
As I researched for defences against bad bank lending, I came across s140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 which dealt with unfair relationships. When I first drew attention to this prvision, members of the legal profession agued (incorrectly) that it only applied to Consumer Ctedit agreements. Although it is a potent tool it is rarely used in NI unlike England and Wal
$32million loan offer to client
I procured through Credit Lyonnais Securities an offer of $32 million for a Swiss based client to fund a project. The bank stated it was the best business plan they had seen for several years.
First hidden commission case in NI
My client was subject to possession proceedings by Melbourne Finance, seeking to get a possession order. I investigated what commission was paid to the broker and discovered that he had been paid a substantial commission which was not dexlared to the clint by either Melbourne or the broker. The Chancery Master refused to grant a possession order im what je said it was the first case of its kind which had come before him. His decision can be read online. See Melbourne v Berry
My published
book
available from Amazon
