Service 05 — Due Diligence
Due diligence that survives scrutiny.
Pre-transaction, counterparty, and integrity due diligence — for transactions, appointments, and relationships where a wrong call cannot be reversed later.
Capability
What we do
We help clients understand who they are dealing with before they commit money, reputation, access, or trust. The output of due diligence is not a long report — it is a decision that can stand up to review, supported by primary enquiry rather than packaged third-party data alone, and structured so the basis for the decision can be checked by counsel, a regulator, or a board.
We work across all standard levels of enquiry — from screening, to enhanced due diligence, to forensic-level investigation — and we are clear about which level a matter needs before scope is agreed.
Scope
Levels & types
Level 1 — Screening
Adverse media, sanctions, watchlists, politically exposed person (PEP) checks, and basic corporate registry checks. Suitable for low-risk counterparties at scale.
Level 2 — Enhanced due diligence
Beneficial ownership, source of wealth indicators, regulatory and litigation history, network mapping, and discreet local enquiries.
Level 3 — Forensic / investigative
Primary lawful enquiries, document checking, financial reconstruction, and testing for undisclosed relationships in jurisdictions of concern.
Pre-transaction (M&A, PE, JV)
Diligence on the people involved, target companies, beneficial owners, and counterparties — including post-deal integration risk.
Pre-appointment integrity
Diligence on prospective directors, senior hires, advisers, and trustees — including any undisclosed interests and past conduct.
AML, KYC & sanctions enhancement
Risk-based enhancement for financial institutions where standard onboarding raises serious questions.
Operating standard
Method
Risk-calibrated scope
Scope and depth are set against the specific risk of the transaction or appointment, not a fixed template.
Primary inquiry
Where matters need it, we carry out lawful primary enquiries in jurisdictions of concern. Database screening alone is not presented as due diligence.
Beneficial ownership focus
We trace ownership and control to the natural-person level wherever it is lawfully possible, including through nominee, trust, and offshore structures.
Defensible record
Every finding is sourced and dated. The diligence file can be reviewed later by counsel, a regulator, or an auditor.
Selected engagements
Anonymised examples
Pre-transaction — Private equity
Enhanced diligence on the people involved in the target, across four jurisdictions
Beneficial ownership, sanctions exposure, undisclosed interests, and adverse-media review on three of the principal people involved in the acquisition target. Outcome: the deal proceeded with significant repricing and revised governance terms.
Pre-appointment — Board
Integrity diligence on proposed non-executive director
A forensic-level review of the candidate’s past conduct, network, and undisclosed positions. Outcome: the appointment was withdrawn and an alternative candidate was appointed.
Counterparty — Financial institution
EDD on a high-net-worth onboarding case
A source-of-wealth reconstruction across two jurisdictions, with corroboration of declared business interests. Outcome: the institution declined onboarding because of unresolved source-of-wealth questions.
Who it is for
Typical clients
Private equity & M&A teams
Pre-transaction diligence on principals, targets, and counterparties.
Boards & nominations committees
Integrity diligence on appointments to positions of trust.
Financial institutions
AML, KYC, and sanctions enhancement at risk-based thresholds.
Family offices
Diligence on advisers, counterparties, investments, and intermediaries.