Corporate legal teams across all sectors face greater challenges than ever, including increased regulation, data protection and cybersecurity-related risk, and enhanced obligations in relation to employee and senior leadership misconduct. Several of these issues are compounded by technological developments, particularly as companies grapple with the advantages and risks posed by generative artificial intelligence. Equally, geopolitical and societal shifts now have the potential to quickly impact workplace standards and culture, resulting in higher expectations when it comes to responding to adverse events.
The potential for internal and reputational harm by failing to act quickly and decisively can be significant. Our expert lawyers are experienced in managing crises for our clients, as well as helping avoid them in the first place.
Our Expertise
Financial Crime, Sanctions, Proceeds of Crime & Anti-Money Laundering
With one of the largest specialist financial crime teams in the UK, BCL has been instructed in most of the significant investigations conducted by the SFO, HMRC, the FCA and the CMA. As well as responding to investigations on behalf of individuals and corporations, our significant experience in dealing with investigating authorities means we are often asked to conduct internal investigations into suspected financial crime and misconduct. Against a backdrop of increasingly harsh penalties for failing to comply with sanctions laws, we are experienced in dealing with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation. Our expert lawyers are top-ranked in proceeds of crime laws, regulation, sanctions, and tax investigations.
Related Services
- Advising on all aspects of financial and business crime
- Responsibilities of the regulated sector, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and money laundering regulations
- Anti-bribery and corruption
- When and how to seek consent by making a Suspicious Activity Report to the National Crime Agency
- Responding to Account Freezing and Forfeiture Orders
- Compliance with sanctions laws, including reporting obligations
- Obtaining licences in the UK to deal with frozen assets
- Responding to investigations and other risks arising from suspected fraud
- Bringing challenges in the domestic and international courts
Recent Highlights
- Advising a UK-based company in relation to POCA impacts of suspected modern slavery in its supply chains
- Conducting an internal investigation for a holding company into historic suspected wrongdoing within its subsidiaries and the need for consent/DAML SARs
- Advising a corporate client on revisions and updates to its anti-money laundering policy
- Advising on a suspected high-value breach of sanctions, including potential internal investigation and self-reporting
Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity
BCL’s work in the fields of data, privacy, and cybersecurity focuses on the laws which govern access to information and those which protect it. Our expertise encompasses laws relating to investigatory powers, data protection, computer misuse, and data sharing. Many of our engagements arise from demands for information by state authorities, the use of new technologies for investigative purposes, and the enforcement of data rights and obligations. We are routinely engaged in some of the most high-profile and legally significant data cases.
Related Services
- Advising corporates in relation to data policies and compliance
- Acting in regulatory investigations into data incidents
- Cybersecurity, cyber-attacks and preventative measures
- Breaches of data protection, and investigatory powers legislation
- Investigating computer misuse and misuse of communications networks
- Creating bespoke data and privacy policies
- Online Safety Act policies and enforcement
- Applications for Norwich Pharmacal Orders
Recent Highlights
- Advising leading US tech companies on their obligations under the Data Access Agreement and Crime (Overseas Production Order) Act 2019
- Advising tech companies and other institutions on their obligations when receiving an information request from UK law enforcement under the IPA or other legislation
- Developing compliance handbooks for technology companies on law enforcement requests and IPA obligations
- Advising football club on UK GDPR obligations arising from data subject access request
Regulatory, Safety & Environment
Our highly experienced team defends serious and high-profile regulatory investigations and prosecutions, with particular expertise in corporate manslaughter, health and safety, fire safety, building safety, food safety and hygiene, environmental protection, ESG regulation, consumer protection and trading standards. Our engagements include work across all sectors, involving agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive, Fire and Rescue Authorities, the Food Standards Agency, and the Environment Agency. From dawn raids to representation at court, our lawyers will support your business and secure the best possible result.
Related Services
- Corporate and director liability
- Responding to investigations and remedial action
- Regulators’ powers, including compelled requests for documentation and witness interviews
- Conducting legally privileged internal investigations
- Challenging enforcement notices
- Proactively engaging with regulators to minimize the risk of enforcement action
- Requests to attend PACE interviews under caution
- Defending prosecutions, and representation in coroners’ inquests and inquiries
Recent Highlights
- Representing a Core Participant in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
- Advising a global steel producer regarding a joint police and HSE corporate manslaughter and health and safety investigation following a double fatality caused by a major explosion at a steelworks
- Fire Authority prosecution of a corporate client for alleged fire safety offences dropped in advance of a two-week crown court trial. Defence costs were awarded following the establishment of clear and stark errors by the Fire and Rescue Authorities
- Successfully defending a restaurant group operated by a Michelin-starred chef following an allergen incident
Criminal & Misconduct Advice
The Serious & General Crime Team at BCL provides specialist and discreet advice across the whole spectrum of criminal and misconduct matters. We have a long-established reputation as a market leader in the largest and most high-profile serious criminal cases. We advise individuals and corporate clients in relation to all aspects of criminal liability, through engagement with the police, Crown Prosecution Service and other prosecuting agencies, and offer expert representation in the magistrates’ court, the crown court and at the Court of Appeal. Many of our clients are high-profile individuals and businesses in the fields of commerce, industry, entertainment, sport and the media, where discretion and reputation management are crucial.
Related Services
- Advising corporates in relation to all aspects of criminal liability
- Representing executives and senior leadership in criminal investigations
- Leading internal investigations into suspected criminality and misconduct
- Managing allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace
- Reporting crime and liaising with the police and prosecuting agencies
- Case building, investigations, and the preservation of evidence
- Advising on internal policies and procedures
Recent Highlights
- Providing criminal advice to a UK heritage establishment as part of an ongoing internal investigation into allegations of serious sexual misconduct
- Supporting a FTSE-50 company in reporting a high-value fraud perpetrated against the company by an employee, including liaising with the police and assisting with evidence gathering and presentation
- Representing the chief executive of a prominent UK regulator experiencing online harassment perpetrated by an organised criminal gang. This unusual case culminated in the conviction and imprisonment of two members of the gang
- Advising broadcasters and production companies in relation to all aspects of criminal law and procedure
