Compliance and Investigations

Regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, and expectations of transparency and accountability are rising rapidly. Authorities, investors, customers and business partners expect organisations to be in control – not merely on paper, but in practice. This requires robust frameworks, clear procedures and control mechanisms capable of withstanding both scrutiny and regulatory supervision. Failure to comply may result in lost contracts, challenges in supplier relationships, increased reputational risk, investigations and sanctions.

We assist in the design and ongoing development of comprehensive compliance programmes tailored to an organisation’s risk profile, culture and structure. Our work includes, among other things, the establishment and updating of internal policies, assessment and strengthening of control environments, implementation of risk assessments relating to anti-corruption, labour exploitation and work-related crime, sustainability and third-party risk, as well as the introduction of due diligence procedures. We also provide targeted training and education to ensure effective implementation, genuine compliance and alignment with the organisation’s strategic objectives.

When concerns, whistleblowing reports or potential breaches arise, we manage the situation swiftly, efficiently and with a high degree of discretion. We conduct independent and thorough fact-finding investigations, assess risk exposure and the need for immediate action, and provide strategic and operational support to boards and senior management. We handle dialogue with supervisory authorities and assist in complex situations where potential breaches must be clarified accurately, efficiently and in a legally sound manner.

Investigations and crisis management require well-structured processes and a high level of professional precision. We assist both private and public sector organisations in preventing, detecting and managing corruption, financial misconduct and other serious incidents – in Norway and internationally. Our work may include the establishment and leadership of crisis teams, project management of complex investigations, follow-up of whistleblowing cases, assessment of corporate criminal liability, handling of civil and criminal proceedings, and ensuring effective remediation following a crisis.

Through close cooperation with an organisation’s internal teams, we deliver solutions that reduce risk and build trust and confidence in the face of increasingly complex regulatory demands.

Our experience includes, among other things, advising:

• The Administrative Board of Optin Bank ASA in an extensive financial regulatory investigation concerning the circumstances that led to the bank being placed under public administration.
• The Norwegian Directorate of Taxes in an assessment of the Tax Administration’s handling of the Transocean case complex – one of Norway’s largest tax cases, involving alleged tax evasion exceeding NOK 11 billion.
• Oceanteam ASA throughout all phases of the company’s investigation, following its temporary suspension from trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
• The Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) in the commuter housing case, including investigations into the tax-related circumstances of Members of Parliament to ensure correct handling of tax obligations.