What happens if an expert refuses to attest?

The call doesn't happen. The network sources a replacement. The original expert is not penalised for refusing — refusal is the correct response when they cannot honestly attest.

Can attestations be falsified?

An expert who falsifies an attestation is permanently removed from the network and may face individual regulatory consequences. The 7-year audit trail makes it discoverable.

How does attestation differ from an NDA?

An NDA is a contract about what information can be shared post-engagement. An attestation is a pre-engagement confirmation that the expert is eligible to participate at all.

Expert Attestation

An expert attestation is a short pre-call confirmation by the expert that they: (a) hold no Material Non-Public Information on the topic; (b) are not bound by an NDA prohibiting the discussion; (c) have disclosed any current commercial relationships with the topic company; and (d) are not in a regulatory restriction period.

Term: Expert Attestation
Section: Glossary
Last refreshed: Q1 2026

01/In Depth3–5 paragraphs

Per-call attestation is the operational cornerstone of expert-network compliance. Every call generates an attestation record retained in the 7-year audit trail.

The attestation is presented to the expert before the call connects, usually as a short electronic form taking ~90 seconds. The expert signs digitally. The record links to the brief, the expert profile and (if consented) the call recording.

From the buyer's side, the attestation is what makes the call defensible if scrutinised later. Regulators and internal compliance can review the attestation chain to confirm the call met institutional standards.

The substance of the attestation has converged across major networks — MNPI, NDA, conflict, cooling-off — though the specific wording and the depth of follow-up questions vary. Reputable networks make their attestation language available to clients on request.

02/Examples4 concrete cases

+An expert attesting they have no MNPI before discussing their former employer's competitive position
+An expert disclosing they hold equity in a company adjacent to the topic, with the network deciding whether the call can proceed
+An expert declining to attest because they're in a quiet period imposed by their current employer — call doesn't happen
+An expert disclosing an active NDA on a specific aspect of the topic, with the brief modified to exclude that aspect

03/Frequently Asked3 questions

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04/See AlsoWhere this applies

04.2

INVESTMENT THESIS VALIDATION

Test the assumptions underlying your investment thesis before you commit capital.

05/Related Terms2 suggestions

COOLING-OFF

A cooling-off period is the mandatory waiting time between when an expert departs an employer and when they may be ma…

COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK

An expert-network compliance framework is the integrated set of controls a reputable network operates to ensure exper…

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