Financial experts are often involved in legal proceedings or out-of-court settlement of disputes with the aim of specifying the amount of lost profit, the value of the company/assets at a specific time in the past, insolvency, the value of intangible assets (e.g. trademarks) and other issues. Disputes are often related to competition issues, such as significant market forces, state aid, patent rights and the like. Competition issues may at first glance seem simple, but the economic analysis involved with these can often be rather complex.
In disputes, the assessor may be an expert appointed by the court or provide services to a claimant, defendant or their legal representative.