MANAGING COMPLIANCE
& RISK
GOOD
GOVERNANCE
HORIZON SCANNING FOR RISK
EMBEDDING
COMPLIANCE
ADVISORY
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
INVESTIGATIONS
DEFEND AND PROTECT
DEFEND AND PROTECT
INVESTIGATIONS
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY
EMBEDDING
COMPLIANCE
HORIZON SCANNING FOR RISK
GOOD
GOVERNANCE
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Good governance is crucial for every organisation to operate ethically, responsibly, and within the bounds of the law.
At Shoosmiths we advise our clients on governance processes and associated risk. We work with you to develop, implement and monitor an appropriate governance framework which includes (but is not limited to) board and committee structure and effectiveness, business strategy, risk appetite, risk assessments, policies and procedures, training and steps to embed a compliance culture.
Through our connected services offering, Shoosmiths EIGHT, we provide complementary compliance products such as FS Compliance and Automated Privacy compliance that can be built into your framework.
A holistic approach to compliance and managing risk in a rapidly changing business environment.
Shoosmiths' highly skilled and experienced compliance team provides a 360-degree service to help businesses navigate the increasingly complex regulatory environment. Our team has acted in some of the UK’s most complex matters and advises a wide range of clients.
Our services include tailored horizon scanning, developing and implementing a comprehensive compliance framework, crisis management, undertaking internal investigations, responding to regulatory investigations, and representing clients in legal and/or regulatory proceedings.
EXPLORE
HORIZON SCANNING TO MANAGE RISK
In a turbulent operating environment that is being impacted by economic, environmental, technological and geopolitical factors, there has never been a more important time to ensure that you assess the compliance risks to your business through horizon scanning.
Our compliance team advises a wide range of clients to assess and act upon risks associated with changes in law, regulations, industry standards, guidance and geopolitical factors.
In addition to providing tailored systems for gathering and monitoring information on your behalf, we can provide regulatory reviews, monitor news and trends through regular newsletters. In addition, we publish regular thought-leadership articles on critical topics across a wide range of legal practice and sectors. For our clients, we provide ‘Compendium’, which is a comprehensive quarterly legislation tracker that assesses the risk associated to the legal changes that impact your business.
We also have specialist teams working across key compliance agendas such as ESG, consumer duty, building safety, post-Brexit compliance and the Covid inquiry.
EMBEDDING COMPLIANCE
Embedding compliance is not just about rolling out policies. It’s about engaging hearts and minds to ensure there is a deep culture of compliance.
We work with leadership teams to build a compliance framework that not only implements policies and processes but takes the key stakeholders along the compliance journey to ensure that compliance becomes a natural part of doing business rather than being seen as a burden. We can establish a training programme, from face-to-face workshops to e-learning modules and advise on internal communications to ensure optimum adoption.
We can help you to audit and monitor compliance levels, including employee engagement, to ensure continuous improvement.
ADVISORY
In addition to having the right governance and compliance framework in place you will need ongoing advice when issues arise.
Shoosmiths can provide expert legal advice across all areas of your business including: reporting obligations, regulatory authorisations, regulatory thematic / supervisory reviews, corporate due diligence, change programmes and advice pre-litigation / regulatory enforcement.
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
A crisis can be challenging for lots of reasons. Responding to it in a calm and considered manner is paramount. We can help you put in place a crisis management strategy so that you can respond effectively if the unexpected does occur.
We can assist with:
Crisis management policies and procedures including (but not limited to) raid policies
Early identification of the immediate and material issues affecting the business including risk and liability
Engagement with key stakeholders including the media (where appropriate) and regulatory authorities
Effective communication both inside and outside of the business
Navigating issues arising from the crisis including implementing corrective and preventative measures
Conducting a post-crisis evaluation to identify any ‘lessons to be learnt’
In addition, we offer SHOC 24 a 24/7 crisis response solution, which provides a range of fully integrated non-legal services such as IT forensics, reputation management, and document hosting, management and review.
INVESTIGATIONS
Investigations can arise in many different forms. Some are instigated through internal reporting whereas others are instigated by external stakeholders or regulatory authorities. Being prepared is critical to protecting the business, its officers and employees, managing potential reputational damage and minimising financial and other losses.
We regularly undertake internal investigations on behalf of our clients into a range of conduct issues, including potential wrongdoing by members of staff.
We regularly represent clients in investigations and prosecutions commenced by regulators including (but not limited to) the Financial Conduct Authority, Serious Fraud Office, HM Revenue & Customs, Health & Safety Executive, Local Authorities, Information Commissioner, Environment Agency, and the Competition and Markets Authority.
DEFEND AND PROTECT
We regularly represent clients in:
Enforcement investigations commenced by regulatory authorities
Civil proceedings
Criminal proceedings
Employment tribunal proceedings
Coroners' court
Our priority is to work with you to find a solution. It is not to engage in unnecessary or protracted litigation. We recognise the wider commercial issues at play and work with you to ensure the correct strategic and tactical approach is taken to any potential litigation / dispute.
