Internal Investigation Solicitors

JMW’s specialist internal investigation solicitors assist businesses and organisations to conduct robust internal investigations into a range of potential misconduct, regulatory or criminal concerns. Any kind of internal investigation demands expert legal advice from experienced lawyers, and JMW's internal investigation solicitors can support you to achieve your goals through this process.

JMW’s objective throughout is the protection of the business and its employees from risk and to advise and assist in the case of crisis management.  Our approach enables us to get ahead of the issues and preserve the business’ position if future regulatory or criminal proceedings ever arise.

For support in conducting internal investigations and implementing effective risk management strategies in response to your problem, speak to the corporate compliance and investigation lawyers at JMW today. Call us on 0345 872 6666 or use our online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.

How Can JMW Help?

If you need to carry out an internal investigation, the team at JMW can support you throughout the entire process. We have dedicated members of the team who can respond urgently and ensure representation is available as soon as any issues arise.  We will assist you with gathering evidence (from witnesses to digital devices), reputational management, data protection, legal professional privilege and employment law. This enables you to make swift and effective decisions in the knowledge that an independent robust investigation is underpinning your management of risk.

During the investigation process, we will plan and conduct interviews and manage any relationship with enforcement authorities if there are parallel legal or regulatory proceedings underway. We will ensure evidence is gathered in the correct way, suitable experts are instructed where required and the continuity and integrity of any material recovered is preserved.

Our team also helps you to manage the aftermath of an internal investigation, including:

• Reporting to the board so they can satisfy their statutory obligations; 
• Advising on reporting to regulators (whether the Financial Conduct Authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office or others);
• Dealing with any regulatory investigation that follows;
• Using the investigation and its findings as a means to implement remedial policies, procedures and training; 
• Acting for you in subsequent employment, civil or criminal proceedings or investigations;
• Preparing files for the police on your behalf; and
• Conducting a private prosecution on your behalf, should the need arise.

If your business or organisation wishes to carry out an internal investigation for any of the reasons listed above, and you need support in conducting the investigation or coordinating with external agencies, contact JMW's experts today.

Why Do Companies Carry Out Internal Investigations?

There are many reasons why businesses and organisations might need to commission an internal investigation. These investigations might arise:

• in response to a whistle blower;
• as a specific response to a concern regarding statutory and/or regulatory obligations under the Bribery Act, Financial Services and Markets Act, Modern Slavery Act, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act and the many other positive obligations placed on businesses;
• as a due diligence exercise and subsequent report with recommendations tailored to a specific problem (such as adverse media coverage, a data breach or employee misconduct) for the Executive Board’s review and ratification; or
• to gather, analyse and present expert evidence to support a criminal prosecution, civil action, misconduct or regulatory proceedings. 

Ultimately, no matter how the internal investigation is commenced, it must be tailored to the scope of the problem while causing as little disruption as possible to your business. JMW will give careful consideration to the objectives you want to achieve and help you to coordinate an investigation that meets your requirements.

What Is the Internal Investigation Process?

When you decide to carry out an internal investigation, we start by providing advice on the scope of the work that needs to be conducted, and the way that the investigation should be structured in an agreed Terms of Reference to meet your objectives.

With our extensive experience in dealing with external regulators and agencies, we can ensure that focus is always maintained on the parallel process, nothing is done to prejudice this, and any actions you take look to enhance your position. We will start by responding quickly to any allegations that arise and managing interactions with any external agencies involved, particularly if a law enforcement agency is engaged. Our experience in dealing with the Serious Fraud Office, National Crime Agency and other authorities means we can handle communications efficiently and effectively.

During the investigation, we can support you by conducting interviews in a legally compliant way and overseeing the collection of evidence and data, whether in hard or digital form. Throughout the process, we will work to protect your legal professional privilege and safeguard confidential information. Our relationships with digital forensic providers and overseas lawyers mean we can conduct this exercise with an integrity that will stand up to the scrutiny of the judicial system.

Why Choose JMW?

Throughout the process of an internal investigation, JMW is sensitive to the context in which your company operates. As a full-service law firm with experience in large-scale, multi-jurisdictional investigations, we are quick to identify any wider issues that arise during the process.

When external investigations are already underway, JMW will help you to assemble a multi-disciplinary team to investigate and respond to allegations with the appropriate sensitivity and urgency. Owing to our experience of such situations, we can identify and appoint third party expertise wherever it is needed. Our compliance and regulatory investigation solicitors can draw on other areas of expertise within JMW, such as our employment, reputational management and corporate departments, to make sure your investigation is comprehensive and thorough. We are ranked in both the Legal 500 and the Chambers and Partners guides in recognition of our high quality of service. Call us today to discuss your needs and learn how we can help.