Global investigations support for businesses and individuals

Our international team supports our clients to carry out internal investigations on a wide range of compliance and ethical issues. We also help respond to investigations that are conducted by others. This includes investigations by regulatory authorities, criminal investigations, inquests and inquiries. We bring decades of legal experience and can support you across a wide range of criminal, civil and ethical investigations, in the UK and worldwide. 

We work on a huge range of issues that require investigation, from small, contained incidents to large, business or sector-wide problems that require significant resources. The subject matter of investigations we advise on varies significantly too. But whatever the subject matter and scale of the investigation, we know the importance of providing you with careful project management, scoping, analysis of documentary and witness evidence, clear reports and recommendations, and holistic strategic advice.

Our experience informs a practical and proportionate approach, whether that is managing a relatively small issue in one jurisdiction or advising on complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations. 

How we can help you

We advise on everything from full service to strategic input and guidance on investigations conducted in-house or bespoke elements of the investigation such as document review or adding resource to a client team.

Our team has a wide range of specialisms including:

  • Anti-bribery and corruption, fraud and sanctions
  • Health and safety
  • Environment
  • Competition and consumer
  • Disciplinary, whistleblower, grievances and ethical behaviour
  • Cyber security and data breaches
  • Data protection 
  • Tax 
  • Regulatory investigations, including financial and other sector regulation, engagement with regulators including the FCA, CMA, EA and ICO
  • Corporate criminal investigations, including the SFO and HSE including dawn raids
  • Reputation management

Legal tech to streamline the investigations process

Gone are the days when complex investigations justified the time and cost of large teams manually reviewing documents and managing investigations. We are at the forefront of practical tech that delivers tangible efficiencies, and our conduct of investigations is no different.  We use a variety of technology-enabled processes to streamline investigations to be faster, more focussed and more cost-efficient.

Who we work with

We have significant experience in acting both for businesses and individuals (often senior employees) carrying out (or subject to) investigations. 

We understand the nuances with investigations involving individuals and support required. We have the experience and knowledge to make sure individuals receive suitable advice and regularly receive referrals to provide employee support.

Why choose our global investigations lawyers?

Our lawyers apply a honed skill set to investigate and bring understanding to factual situations. The steps and actions that we recommend always take into account all of the angles, not just the legal. Our clients know us for our ability to make sure that an investigation seeks answers to the right questions, and that work is proportionate and efficient to achieve that goal.

We recognise that businesses will have their own requirements and experience when it comes to investigation support. When you work with us, we will put together a tailored team of specialists in investigations work, your industry sector and any additional legal areas required. This makes sure that you receive the highest quality of support and that the investigation is run efficiently and meet your needs.

We are flexible and will listen to your requirements. We recognise that sometimes you will want a full service, but sometimes will just need resource in key areas of an investigation, which we can discuss and agree at the beginning. 

Experience

Payments business

Advised on a complex competition investigation for a payments business facing significant regulatory scrutiny following the alleged acts of a number of employees.

Listed Financial Services company

Advised a major listed financial services company on its investigation of bribery and corruption issues arising following the acquisition of a (multi-jurisdictional) African business.

Big Four Accountancy business

Advised one of the 'big four' on an investigation into the misuse of sensitive confidential information by a number of senior employees.

Investment Bank

Advised a leading investment bank on a claim commenced by a senior female executive that the bank’s historical discretionary bonus awards were discriminatory.

Major Insurer

Advised the investigation strategy following a business critical data / cyber breach perpetrated by existing and former employees against a major insurance company.

RWE Generation

Supporting a complex internal investigation following the premature collapse of a boilerhouse during a demolition project that killed four people and acting for the client during a length police and HSE investigation.

Energy business

Advising an energy sector client on its investigation of potential bribery of an engineer.

Utility business

Carrying out a detailed investigation for a utility business following a fatality involving an employee who fell from height and supporting the business in dealing with an HSE investigation and disclosure requests.

Major corporate

Advising on a major corporate scandal, involving the handling of an internal investigation, arrests, parliamentary interest and hostile reporting.

International technology company

Advised an international technology company on a claim that it operated a glass ceiling by consistently dismissing senior female executives in its sales teams rather than comparable male colleagues.

International IT company

Conducted an anti-bribery and corruption investigation for a Swiss-headquartered IT company into its dealings with government agencies in North Africa and then acting on follow-on litigation relating to the client’s prime contractors.

Advertising business

Supported an advertising business to investigate allegations of bullying and workplace stress and provided representation at the inquest following the suicide of an employee.

Global telecoms business

Acted for a global telecoms company to investigate corruption concerns relating to employee business development activities in Eastern Europe.

Lifesciences business

Investigated potential management corruption and bribery allegations, identified by new management following an M&A purchase of a life sciences/ healthcare business. Supported a client in investigating an allegation of serious sexual assault between two colleagues following a work event.

UK Housebuilder

Advised a Real Estate client in relation to its response to and engagement with the Competition and Markets Authority as part of its "house building market study".

Real Estate

Advised three Real Estate clients in relation to their internal investigations and engagement with the CMA in connection with its Leasehold investigation.

Multinational engineering client

Advised a multinational engineering client on a bribery investigation involving a foreign subsidiary.

Global aviation

Undertook an investigation of senior management of a of a global aviation sector client subsidiary, in relation to allegations of bribery, corruption and breach of confidence.

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