Businesses need to be very careful in their operation to observe the rules and regulations that are relevant to their industry. This can on occasion bring them into contact with regulators, either with a view to reporting on their progress in observing regulatory standards or, in more complex situations, facing an investigation by regulators on suspicion that the regulator’s code of practice has been breached. Regulatory investigations can be very taxing experiences for businesses and their staff: there is often a lack of understanding in the approach that regulators take, in what direction their investigation is going to go and how best to manage interaction with them.

We operate a highly successful investigations practice where our team act as advisers to business facing external investigation by regulators (HMRC, SFO, the FCA or indeed the police), or are pursuing internal investigations. We are able to provide detailed guidance and support to clients on any aspect of regulation. If you need to speak with a legal team that can provide cost-effective, pragmatic advice and guidance on regulatory investigations our team at Bright Line Law would be delighted to help.

Businesses operating in the financial sphere in the UK need to be conscious of the multitude of obligations that they owe to regulators in the course of their operation. These obligations can be a significant burden for businesses, but should not be treated lightly. The UK operates one of the most comprehensive and robust regulatory frameworks in the world, which has contributed to its global reputation as a financial hub. This reputation is supported and protected by a legal regime that can result in civil or criminal liability for businesses that are found to have conducted activities which threaten to undermine it.

At Bright Line Law, we understand what our clients face in discharging their regulatory obligations, and the challenges they may encounter when presented with the prospect of an investigation. We have experience of assisting clients in all regulatory investigations:

Commercial behaviour
Businesses undoubtedly operate in a competitive environment which puts tremendous pressure on them to secure new opportunities as quickly as possible to survive. This requirement, however, has to be treated seriously and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is responsible for ensuring that businesses conduct themselves properly and do not employ questionable tactics.

The SFO utilises similar tactics to that of its fellow regulators (including HMRC and the FCA). Its primary concern will be to follow a ‘paper trail’ to demonstrate illegal activity. This process needs to be managed carefully and demands for information need to be met by careful analysis by advisors who are able to challenge these with a view to ensuring only salient information is disclosed. Penalties for fraudulent or corrupt behaviour are varied and depend on the situation, but can result in either major fines being issued and even periods of imprisonment where individuals themselves are concerned.

Behaviour in the financial marketplace
Financial services as a sector is vitally important to the success of the UK economy. This fact is underlined by the responsibility attributed to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in ensuring that businesses conduct themselves properly in their daily activities. The FCA polices the behaviour of firms operating in the financial sphere, and is also charged with ensuring that they do not contribute to the commission of crimes which undermine market integrity, including money laundering and insider dealing.

The FCA is known to be very aggressive in investigating suspected illegal activity, and often does so in partnership with other regulatory investigations for fear that one potential infraction is part of a wider network of criminality. It regularly calls for detailed interviews with business staff to understand the facts surrounding a situation, and also makes use its ability to confiscate important business property and paperwork in the course of its investigation. Any evidence of a breach of business’ duties to the FCA not only threaten firm’s reputation in the market, but could also severely damage the continued ability of individuals to work in financial services.

Tax investigations
Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) acts as the principal regulatory body for ensuring that businesses comply with their tax payment obligations, and that no action is taken in an attempt to avoid these. To that end HMRC is endowed with significant powers to conduct a forensic examination of tax affairs through a variety of procedures, including: (i) detailed interviews with individuals; and (ii) court orders for the production of information and paperwork.

HMRC is empowered to conduct investigations which could require an examination of activities stretching back many years. Any evidence of a failure to pay taxes that are due, or attempts to reduce or mask tax liability could have major consequences. Sanctions from HMRC can include either financial sanctions or, in particularly severe instances of attempts to avoid tax, criminal penalties.

Most businesses take their regulatory responsibilities seriously and will eagerly conduct internal investigations if they suspect wrongdoing. This may involve detailed discussions with personnel or reviewing files over an extended period of time to establish the state of affairs. This too has to be managed carefully, and where questionable behaviour is uncovered, reporting and disclosure to regulators needs to be appropriately controlled.

Investigations of any kind need to be treated seriously. The difficulty is in understanding how to manage investigations appropriately, ensuring that regulatory concerns are addressed while focusing their attention and ensuring that the commercial position of the business is not undermined. It is paramount that investigations are entrusted to the care of experienced lawyers that appreciate the reality of the situation and can manage matters delicately.

Based in central London, Bright Line Law is experienced in engaging with regulators in their investigation of business affairs. Our experience of advising clients across the financial sector in their dealings with regulators grants us insight into how they work, and allows use this to our client’s advantage: we identify quickly what a regulator’s concern is and then plan how to address this, while safeguarding your position. We can also oversee an internal investigation, managing its completion and acting as the ‘gatekeeper’ in the event that external organisations need to become involved. We understand that investigations, whether internal or external, can be incredibly taxing on business resources and time. It is our role to control the process and allow the business to operate in the knowledge that a team of expert lawyers is taking charge of the situation.