The criminal and regulatory environment imposed on UK corporates doing business domestically and internationally has changed significantly in recent years. Our business crime and regulatory investigations team work with corporates to ensure they do not unknowingly commit, or become the victim of, fraud or financial crime. We also help our clients unscramble the mess if they have the misfortune to become embroiled in a criminal or regulatory investigation in any aspect of their day-to-day operations.
Our team has an in-depth understanding of criminal and regulatory matters drawn from practice areas including financial crime, financial services regulation, tax, health and safety, food safety, environment, employment and competition. Our expertise at the coalface of criminal investigations means we understand how stressful these situations are and we are well equipped to help both corporate and individual clients navigate their way through the criminal process. In respect of individual clients, we have vast experience of representing company directors and other senior executives who have been caught up in criminal and regulatory investigations. We provide rapid, confidential advice on dealing with investigations as they arise, often in very sensitive and urgent situations.
Our business crime lawyers are frequently instructed on cross-border investigations as enforcement agencies across the globe are increasingly working together, sharing information and intelligence. In these multi-jurisdictional matters, we work alongside our network of independent firms across the world to provide clients with advice wherever they need it.
We also advise corporates on compliance and prevention measures, particularly in the areas of bribery and corruption, money laundering and tax evasion, to ensure they do not fall foul of the law. These measures are essential given the requirements placed on businesses by the ‘failure to prevent’ corporate crime offences.
We regularly receive excellent feedback in legal directories. In Chambers 2019, our clients stated 'They are very skilled and experienced' adding that 'their responses are always fast and reliable.'
Areas of focus
Our business crime and regulatory investigations expertise includes the following:
- Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority, National Crime Agency, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, Competition and Markets Authority, Health and Safety Executive and police investigations.
- Bribery and corruption.
- Fraud.
- Money laundering.
- Internal investigations.
- Market abuse and insider dealing.
- Sanctions.
- Cyber-crime.
- Tax and revenue investigations.
- External attacks on financial institutions.
- Cartels.
- Theft and misuse of proprietary industry information.
- Health and safety investigations.
- Environmental investigations.
- Private prosecutions.
- Civil recovery actions.
- Asset tracing and freezing.
- Reputational and public relations issues.