We conduct corporate investigations for both companies and public authorities

A corporate investigation may be relevant in a wide range of situations where there is suspicion of serious irregularities, both internally and externally within an organisation. The incidents may include a wide range of matters, ranging from violations of criminal law and competition law to violations of employee rights and workplace bullying.
 
Examples of incidents that may justify a corporate investigation include:

• Violations of criminal law: This may include acts such as fraud, deception, theft, bribery, or other criminal acts committed by individuals within or outside the organisation.
  
• Violations of competition law: Situations where there is suspicion of anti-competitive behavior such as price fixing, market sharing, or abuse of a dominant market position may require a corporate investigation to uncover and address potential violations of the law.
  
• Violation of employee rights: Any form of sexual harassment, unwanted attention, or other offensive behavior directed at employees may not only constitute a serious breach of ethical standards and company guidelines, but also result in legal consequences and litigation.
  
• Workplace bullying: Bullying or intimidating behavior in the workplace can have serious consequences for the employees involved and the organisation’s working environment. A corporate investigation may be necessary to identify, address, and prevent such behavioral issues.

In addition to these examples, there may be other incidents or situations that warrant a corporate investigation, particularly when there is doubt about the legality of an action or behavior that could potentially harm the organisation or its employees. It is important to act proactively and professionally in such cases to ensure that fairness and integrity are maintained within the organisation.

We have extensive experience with corporate investigations in both private commercial enterprises and the public sector. Our investigations have covered (among other things) competition law violations, fraud, bribery, embezzlement and violations.

If your organisation becomes involved in criminal offences or serious irregularities, this can have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the purely legal and may affect the commercial viability and reputation of the organisation.

In such situations, it is crucial to gain a deep understanding of the course of events quickly and thoroughly. We approach every corporate investigation with this in mind and tailor our approach to ensure legally sound handling, efficiency, and discretion. By structuring and conducting the investigation with care, we ensure that the organisation can address the challenges it faces in a manner that protects the rights of all involved and the interests of the organisation.
 
Some of the benefits of involving attorneys in a corporate investigation include:

• Legal expertise: With our legal expertise, we can analyse the situation from a legal perspective and advise on the legal consequences of the findings.
• Responsible handling: We ensure that the investigation is conducted in accordance with legal principles and relevant legislative requirements, minimising the risk of legal complications later on.
• Efficient execution: By streamlining the investigation process and applying our experience, we can ensure that the necessary knowledge is obtained quickly and accurately, enabling the organisation to make informed decisions.
• Discretion: We treat all information as confidential and ensure that the investigation is conducted with the utmost discretion, which is crucial for the organisation’s reputation and relationships.

A corporate investigation is a comprehensive and structured process. Initiating one therefore requires careful consideration.

The corporate investigation is carried out by legal experts with the aim of investigating and analysing events or situations where there is suspicion of legal violations, irregularities, or other serious matters within an organisation. This process is crucial to achieving clarity, identifying responsible parties, and making informed decisions to protect the organisation’s interests and rights.
 
The process of a corporate investigation can be divided into the following stages:

• Planning and preparation: Before the investigation begins, we carefully plan the investigation process. This includes determining the scope of the investigation, identifying the necessary resources, and developing an investigation strategy. In addition, we ensure that we have the necessary permissions and consents (or other legal basis for processing) to conduct the investigation.
  
• Gathering evidence and documentation: In this phase, we collect relevant documents, electronic data, and other evidence that may shed light on the matter we are investigating. This may include internal and external communications, financial transactions, contracts and personal records.
  
• Interviews and witness statements: We conduct interviews and witness statements with relevant individuals to gain further insight into the events or situations in question. These interviews may include employees, managers, suppliers or other relevant parties. The purpose is to verify information, identify possible motives and responsible parties, and uncover any additional information.
  
• Analysis and assessment: Based on the evidence gathered and interviews conducted, we analyse the available information to assess the scope, complexity, and potential legal implications of the situation. This also involves identifying any legal risks and developing strategies to address them.
  
• Reporting and recommendations: Finally, we prepare a report summarising our findings, analyses, and recommendations. The report presents clear and concise information about the issues identified, the parties responsible, and suggests relevant actions to be taken by the organisation’s management.
  
• Implementation of recommendations: Your organisation can use our report to make informed decisions about implementing our recommendations and addressing any consequences of the incidents investigated. Our recommendations may include legal action, including recommendations to initiate legal proceedings, disciplinary measures, dismissal or expulsion, changes to policies and procedures etc.

The corporate investigation can thus be used to obtain clarity about the course of events and to obtain clear, structured recommendations for handling the course of events.