Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Governance

Our dedicated Corporate Governance and Regulatory Investigations group advises on all areas of corporate governance and compliance. 

Regulatory investigations and tribunals

We have significant experience in advising on the conduct of both internal corporate inquiries and external regulatory investigations and proceedings. Our lawyers are drawn from a wide range of practice areas such as public and administrative law, financial services regulation, company law, litigation and employment law. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that we are equipped to rapidly and comprehensively advise clients through all stages of an external regulatory investigation. From advising on “dawn raids” by the Gardai, the Competition Authority, Director of Corporate Enforcement or Financial Regulator, to defending proceedings brought by those bodies, our lawyers can advise on all aspects of the regulatory investigation process.

We have been involved in some of the most sensitive public tribunals and inquiries in the history of the State including:

• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Monaghan Hospital
• Dublin Diocesan Commission
• Beaumont
• Lindsay Tribunal
• Mahon Tribunal
• Medical Council Inquiries
• Investigation into the affairs of National Irish Bank
• Advised the Courts Service in relation to an inquiry into the conduct of a member of the judiciary
  

Internal inquiries

With an increasing number of investigations being conducted by regulatory authorities, organisations need to place extra emphasis on compliance and may need to carry out internal investigations to establish wrongdoing. Our extensive expertise in employment and administrative law will ensure that any internal investigation is carried out in a manner that accords with fair procedures and natural justice. We also provide litigation support to defend any challenges by employees and others to the internal investigation process. 

Our experience in this area includes advising numerous public and private entities on internal inquiries and investigations.

Compliance and corporate governance

Prevention is better than cure. Obtaining the best external advice from experienced professionals is a key way of ensuring that your organisation adopts best practices. Our lawyers have broad experience in advising companies on everyday corporate governance issues such as: 

• Directors' Duties
• Statutory Offences under the Companies Acts
• The Market Abuse Regime
• The Listing Rules and Combined Code on Corporate Governance
• Company Secretarial compliance
• Financial Services and MiFiD compliance