GLOBAL INVESTIGATIONS
LAWYERS

We help organisations respond to and manage regulatory and criminal investigations, internal misconduct issues and other events that can trigger intense external scrutiny.

Against a backdrop of heightened enforcement, active whistleblowing and growing expectations of corporate accountability, businesses across all sectors face significant legal, operational and reputational risk when allegations arise.

Working seamlessly across our international offices and trusted local counsel, we deliver coordinated cross border support that reflects the latest enforcement priorities and regulatory expectations, helping clients address issues quickly while protecting business critical relationships and value. We are trusted by clients with their most sensitive investigations, including those relating to business-critical relationships, vulnerable third parties or involving allegations against senior personnel.

Our specialist team advises throughout the full lifecycle of investigations – from early risk assessments and internal fact-finding, independent evidence gathering and assessment, through to engagement with authorities, defence of enforcement action, follow on litigation and remediation.

We handle complex, multi jurisdictional matters involving whistleblowing, allegations of bribery and corruption, fraud, money laundering, sanctions, export controls, conflicts of interest, ESG and human rights obligations.

Drawing on our market leading expertise and supported by advanced investigation technologies, we provide clear, commercially focused advice that helps clients understand and manage their risk profile, design and enhance robust governance and compliance frameworks, and respond confidently and strategically when things go wrong.

We advise on the full spectrum of tax disputes and investigations, from HMRC enquiries and complex investigations through to statutory appeals, judicial review challenges, litigation, alternative dispute resolution and negotiated settlements.

Covering all taxes, including direct tax, VAT and duties, we combine deep insight into HMRC’s processes and decision-making with a genuinely multidisciplinary team of specialist tax disputes solicitors, tax advisers and CTA/ATT-qualified professionals. This enables us to guide clients through some of the most significant, complex and commercially sensitive tax controversies in the UK market.

Visit our Tax and Structuring page

We help organisations navigate sensitive conduct, ethics and culture investigations. In a climate of intense scrutiny, issues involving senior individuals, complex interpersonal behaviour or wider cultural concerns (including patterns of inappropriate or bullying behaviour with boardroom implications) can create acute legal, governance and reputational risk. 

Our expertise spans investigations, professional regulation, employment, corporate governance and reputation management, allowing us to bring the right blend of expertise to each matter. We support clients through the full lifecycle of sensitive investigations, including: 

• assessing and investigating allegations with a respectful and procedurally fair approach,
• taking proper account of vulnerable participants,
• managing business disruption and stakeholder expectations,
• navigating legal, regulatory, employment and reputational risk,
• handling any HR, exit or litigation consequences,
• designing and implementing practical remediation to improve culture and morale, including targeted policy and process changes, governance enhancements and culture initiatives and training.

We help organisations navigate the increasingly complex and evolving landscape of sanctions, export controls and trade restrictions. As governments rely more heavily on these tools in response to geopolitical events, businesses operating across borders face heightened regulatory, commercial and reputational risk.

Working closely with our international offices and network of trusted local counsel where required, we deliver coordinated cross-border advice that is aligned with the latest regulatory expectations and enforcement developments, enabling clients to manage risk and continue trading lawfully in a challenging global environment.

Our specialist team advises on sanctions, export controls and international trade compliance across multiple jurisdictions. We combine technical expertise with clear, practical guidance to help clients understand their risk profile; help design and implement robust compliance frameworks; and respond confidently to evolving requirements to ensure our clients are getting compliance right. 

We also have strong defence capabilities to support and protect clients when things go wrong, drawing on our deep experience in internal investigations, dealing with regulatory enquiries or threats of enforcement and responding to regulatory enquiries or enforcement actions and interacting with regulators to protect our clients’ rights and interests.

We have deep, practical experience in helping clients build effective and proportionate compliance frameworks and systems to support ethical business and long-term growth.   Our team advises on all aspects of financial crime compliance. We work with clients to design, implement, test and enhance risk-based policies, training, procedures and controls.  We undertake governance and risk assessments, support regulatory engagement and investigations, and deliver pragmatic remediation programmes that strengthen organisational resilience while enabling commercial objectives.

We are trusted by boards and senior management to provide clear visibility and data-led assurance around levels of compliance and regulatory risk and we have developed innovative tools to help clients develop and improve their compliance culture, supporting long-term business growth, acquisitions and entry into new markets.  Recognising that effective compliance is ultimately driven by people, we work with clients to foster a culture of engagement and accountability.

We advise law firms, accountants, estate agents, high value dealers, trust and company service providers, art market participants and other businesses subject to a range of international anti-money laundering and financial crime regimes.

Our team provides practical advice on obligations under money laundering, sanctions legislation and related regulatory requirements, helping clients manage their financial crime risks, develop proportionate compliance frameworks, respond to investigations and supervisory engagement.