Drawing from our expertise in closely related fields, Chambers has built an expert team adept at equipping companies with measures to prevent internal crisis and to assist to resolve issues, when they arise.
Overview
Barristers at QEB Hollis Whiteman have considerable experience of acting on behalf of multi-jurisdictional corporates as well as smaller UK based companies when they encounter internal crises which have the potential to turn into civil, criminal, regulatory and/or inquisitorial proceedings. Chambers can provide independent expertise; its members not only have vast experience of the allegations companies may face but they have a detailed understanding of the operation and dynamics of internal investigations, having represented both the organisers and subjects of such inquiries. We have knowledge and experience of Dawn Raids and are often instructed as independent Counsel to review material linked to them. We have knowledge of the mechanics of numerous professions due to our vast experience in professional regulation.
Our Experience
Compliance
Members of Chambers provide preventative advice, including guidance relating to enforcement action and assistance with compliance issues. We advise on setting up new policies and risk assessments of existing policies.
We have provided advice and assistance to the Global Financial Crime Division of various leading and smaller international financial institutions on anti-money laundering practices. This has involved advising on issues such as KYC and due diligence, secrecy jurisdiction complexities, cross-platform banking, bearer shares, corroboration regarding source of wealth and source of funds and mandatory regulatory requirements surrounding politically exposed persons.
Members can offer on-site advice and assistance on the application of guidance provided by the Financial Conduct Authority, both in this jurisdiction and abroad. For example, our Barristers have travelled within Europe and to the United States to train individuals on regulatory requirements and ways to ensure adherence to the 2007 money laundering regulations.
Separately we have provided professional institutions with advice on how to deal with an issue when something has gone wrong which has had the potential to lead to or has led to an investigation by a regulator or by the police. We have advised law firms and schools amongst others. Our involvement has been preventative as much as it has been to address an existing issue. Our work has dealt with regulatory procedure as well as criminal issues such as harassment and sexual assault.
Disclosure, LPP and RIPA
We are specialists in the application of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and advise a range of clients on this topic, including companies, professional regulatory bodies and public bodies.
We provide advice and assistance during searches, seizure and production of material and review material as appointed independent Counsel in large-scale multi-jurisdictional investigations.
Our Junior Barristers in particular are specialists in document reviews, advising on issues such as LPP and disclosure, whether acting for or against an individual, corporate or prosecution body such as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), FCA or HMRC. Members of Chambers have lead LPP review teams.
Chambers also advises financial institutions and others on making protected and authorised disclosures to regulatory bodies.
