Investigations and crisis management

Heightened levels of public scrutiny combined with declining levels of trust and confidence have led to increasing demands for greater transparency and accountability. The result has been a growing need for businesses and organisations to either conduct or respond to different types of investigation, whether internal or external, voluntary or involuntary.

We advise individuals, businesses and organisations from the private, public and third sectors to help them navigate the complexities of different types of investigation. We are experienced in advising those who find themselves subject to an investigation, providing comprehensive representation including advocacy at hearings. We also have a wealth of expertise both of advising on the establishment of investigations and undertaking a wide variety of investigations, from internal reviews through to high profile public inquiries.

We are sensitive to the individual environment in which each of our clients operates, and tailor our advice to take account of wider public or industry expectations and demands.

When a matter escalates, our leading legal advisors offer critical insight and leadership in dealing with complex and time-sensitive crises. Our team are adept in deploying effective crisis management expertise into the overall legal strategy, integrating rapid response advice on stakeholder management and media communications to help deescalate the issue and mitigate reputational risks.

We understand the impact and disruption an investigation can cause, including being a significant drain on resources, both financially and in terms of people time. We help our clients to minimise the impact on their day-to-day operations, relieving the burden and enabling key personnel to remain focused on their core objectives.

Whatever the size or scale of investigation required, we have the relevant experience and expertise to assist at all stages.

Commissioning, planning and scoping an investigation:

• Identification and appointment of the right person(s) or body to conduct the investigation;
• Preparing and settling the Terms of Reference; 

Conduct of the investigation:

• Running the investigation on our client’s behalf;
• Being appointed to conduct the investigation for our client;
• Managing timescales and budget;
• Evidence collation—including taking witness statements; document review and analysis; disclosure, including large scale e-disclosure and information sharing;
• Advising on issues of data privacy, commercial sensitivity and legal privilege;

Findings and recommendations:

• Drafting investigation reports;
• Dealing with and responding to potential criticisms of individuals and/or the organisation;
• Publication of investigation reports and summaries—including applying redactions;

Lessons learned:

• Responding to recommendations;
• Conduct of critical event reviews;
• Identification of lessons learned;
• Conduct of follow-up reviews and feedback loops;
• Development of play-books and procedures to mitigate the risks of reoccurrence.

Stakeholder management:

• Advice on engagement and communication with different stakeholder audiences throughout the entire investigation process including internal and external reporting to Boards, Committees, oversight authorities and regulators.

We can help you with:

• Independent outsourced investigations
• Managed investigations
• Desktop reviews
• Crisis management and risk mitigation
• Data leaks
• Cyber attacks
• Sexual harassment
• Governance issues—including director and officer duties and compliance with corporate governance codes
• Financial mismanagement
• Discrimination
• Human Rights abuses
• Disciplinary proceedings—including advice and representation
• PR strategy and communications

Our Investigations and Crisis management team are uniquely placed to provide a single point of contact for an agile, full investigation service, which can be adapted to meet individual client needs. We can quickly and effectively compile a specialist investigation team containing the requisite levels of skill and expertise to accommodate a range of budgets and timescales. We will combine Partners, senior and junior solicitors as well as dedicated administrative support to provide a cost effective and dynamic team. We are also able to incorporate the expertise of a leading King’s Counsel who is a consultant to our team—enabling us to offer a bespoke client service with an additional layer of independence which will stand up to the most robust scrutiny.

As part of a full-service law firm, our Investigations and Crisis management team also work seamlessly with subject matters experts across the firm, to deal with any related interactions and implications concerning criminal, regulatory, employment or civil liabilities issues. We also have strong relationships with specialist public relations agencies and advisors who we can collaborate with on the most high profile of matters.

Industry expertise 

• charities and non-profit organisations
• Regulatory bodies
• Public authorities
• Private members clubs
• Sports clubs
• Financial services

Our experts are all ranked in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 legal directories. Here are some comments made about us.