In this case Graham Garbett was instructed, as joint expert, to prepare a business valuation in divorce proceedings between two of the three owners of a chain of restaurants.

The business had grown from a one unit sole trader to a multi-site partnership, but lacked a clear partnership structure and rewards system.

The business valuation was accepted by the parties involved. However, complications in this case arose in the allocation of that valuation to the partners. In the absence of any form of written agreement, Graham produced a number of different calculations which reflected the input by the partners, measured in terms of years in the business, hours worked and previous history of profit sharing. The calculations were presented as a report to the parties who were charged with agreeing a number of assumptions, narrowing the range of results and ultimately agreeing value share.