Internal investigations solicitors

The triggers for an internal investigation

An internal investigation is usually (but not always) triggered following a concern raised within an organisation. This can include risks or concerns relating to:

1. Health and safety regulatory, including a fatality, RIDDOR reportable incidents, near-misses, external regulatory investigation and enforcement (including notice of contravention, prohibition or improvement notices);
2. Transport regulatory, including bridge strike events, fleet maintenance, roadside stops, DVSA intervention including desk based assessments, maintenance investigations and intervention by the Office of the Traffic Commissioner.
3. Environmental regulatory, including environmental incidents, near-misses, external regulatory investigation and enforcement;
4. Financial crime, including fraud, bribery, theft, tax evasion, money laundering within the organisation or within the supply chain.
5. Employee misconduct, including violence, sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying.
6. Competition/antitrust, including abuse of dominance, anti-competitive cartel behaviour, or external regulatory intervention.
7. Whistleblowing concerns raised by employees, or others within an organisation.

Why choose our internal investigations solicitors?

Unrivalled experience

The Weightmans Regulatory Team have extensive experience of conducting internal investigations, often in the context of sensitive regulatory concerns that have been identified by an organisation.

Led by Elliott Kenton, the team has conducted major internal investigations for leading organisations across transport and logistics, manufacturing, financial services, energy and utilities , built environment and owner managed businesses.

Comprehensive service

We handle all aspects of legally privileged internal investigations, from financial crime (fraud, bribery, money laundering, tax evasion) to health and safety, environmental, and competition issues. Our approach is industry-agnostic, supporting clients across all sectors.

Investigatory lifecycle support

We offer support for organisations from the discovery of wrongdoing with 24-hour incident response support to the completion of an internal investigation, and assistance with the implementation of remedial steps if necessary.

As a full-service law firm, we can support organisations not just with their internal investigation, but with any criminal, regulatory, civil or employment issues that arise. We can advise, and work with leading reputation management firms who can assist organisations at times of crisis.

International reach

Internal investigations often cross borders. Our team is equipped to manage investigations with an international dimension, supporting your business wherever it operates, through international best friend relationships with leading international firms that also specialise in internal investigations.

Our approach

Investigation Mobilisation

We are able to mobilise a core investigatory team quickly to assist an organisation at a time of crisis. We can advise on the scope of the investigation quickly and seamlessly, and engage with other members of core teams and third parties to support the investigation.

Independence and Privilege

Many organisations elect for Weightmans to conduct their internal investigations as we can provide unravelled and independent expertise. The involvement of external lawyers may enable the investigation to be undertaken under legal professional privilege which can protect the investigation and the materials produced as part of the investigation from disclosure to third parties.

Commercially Pragmatic

We understand that when a crisis begins to dissipate, organisations want to ensure that business is disrupted to a minimum. We work with and structure internal investigations in such a way that we conduct investigations discreetly, advise organisations pragmatically throughout the investigation, and produce clear findings and recommendations to instigate positive change within an organisation, whilst allowing an organisation to return to business as usual.

Clients often turn to us to review their operations after a period of time has elapsed to consider whether improvements have been properly and sustainably implemented.

Managing relationships with law enforcement/regulatory agencies

For some internal investigations, a parallel law enforcement/regulatory agency investigation will be taking place simultaneously. We have expertise in managing the relationship with the appropriate authorities given our wide-ranging expertise, with the primary objective of protecting an organisation’s best interests.