White Collar Crime and Investigations

Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Our team advises clients who are concerned about their exposure to the legal risks associated with corruption or who find themselves confronted with evidence of corruption within their organisation, whether in Australia or overseas.

We have experience in conducting audits and in providing advice and assistance to minimise the risk of corruption by building a corporate culture which does not tolerate corrupt conduct, including:

• advice on the effect of Australia's Criminal Code and the management of risk arising from the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the new UK Bribery Act 2010;
• compliance program development and implementation;
• anti-corruption training;
• advice with respect to the scope and extent of due diligence, risk management and audits;
• advice and regulatory guidance on specific corporate transactions and third party arrangements; and
• advice on collateral regulatory regimes relating to marketing activities, sales commissions, anti-money laundering laws and regulation.

Where a company is confronted with evidence of actual corruption, our team of lawyers can advise about strategy, assist in the conduct of an investigation and the remediation process, and defend an Australian prosecution if one is commenced.

We have strong relationships with experienced lawyers in other jurisdictions. Where a company is threatened by investigation or prosecution in the United States or Europe, we can facilitate the selection and engagement of lawyers who will see that our client's interests are protected.

Fraud

Our team has a prominent and successful track record of advising on cases involving corporate fraud, public and private corruption, antitrust, money laundering and related investigations. We are used to working closely with regulatory authorities and enforcement agencies, including the New South Wales Fraud Squad.

We advise companies on the myriad of issues that need to be consider when fraud is discovered, including press affecting the brand, share price and directors' reputations; ASX disclosure rules; whistleblower provisions; and employment and industrial relations issues.

Our clients include Australian corporations, banks, subsidiaries of US and European multinationals, Australian public authorities as well as individuals prominent in business and legal affairs.