At Reeds Solicitors, we have a specially selected and dedicated team of Solicitors and Barristers who have the skills needed to help our clients navigate regulatory law, investigations and prosecutions. Government agencies are taking an increasingly tough stance on businesses that fail to comply with the ever more complex rules and regulations for their specific industry. The fines for those who fall foul are on the rise, and the penalties given to individual for breaches can be life-changing and career-ending. The fines imposed are more often than not linked to a person’s income or the turnover of the company or partnership prosecuted.
Reeds Solicitors is an award winning and leading top-tier defence firm. For legal advice and representation from a regulatory solicitor, please contact us through our contact page here. Alternatively, you can phone 0333 240 7373, or email us at info@reeds.co.uk.
We can help businesses and individuals with advice and representation resulting from regulatory inquiries or prosecution from a range of Government agencies, including:-
- Local Authorities
- Environment Agency (EA)
- Natural Resources Wales
- The Shared Regulatory Services
- Companies House
- Trading Standards
- Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS)
- Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
- Food Standards Agency (FSA)
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
- His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Our Regulatory Law Solicitors and Barristers adopt a proactive and client-focused approach to all our cases. They understand the reputational and financial issues at stake, act swiftly and discreetly to protect your interests, and help you navigate this notoriously complex legal area.
Seeking the right legal advice is equally as important if you are a fellow professional who has been accused of failings within the workplace, where getting the right advice quickly can make a difference to your livelihood.
In professional discipline cases, our team of Solicitors can help with advice and representation at tribunals or in fitness to practice hearings or professional conduct panels, dealing with regulatory bodies, including:-
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
- General Medical Council (GMC)
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL)
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Financial Reporting Council (FRC)
Reeds’ Regulatory Solicitors
Our Solicitors are regularly mentioned in the Legal 500, and in 2023, we were named one of the UK’s top law firms by The Times, specially commended for criminal law.
“No solicitor in criminal work prepares their cases better for client or counsel. Shows full commitment to the cause in every case, giving sound, reliable and properly objective advice that clients need, even if it doesn’t make easy hearing.” – Mark Abbott
Once instructed, we will form a team of expert Regulatory Law Solicitors who will:
- Quickly discover the reason why you and your business are being investigated and obtain (in so far as possible) the evidence the regulatory body is relying on.
- Swiftly work to understand your business and the culture of the market sector in which you operate.
- Advise in-house counsel and the board on managing the investigation, what documents must be disclosed, and which are subject to legal professional privilege.
- Attend interviews under caution to provide advice and ensure the interviewer does not exceed their legislative or regulatory powers.
- Liaise directly with investigators on your behalf so you can concentrate on running your business.
- Gather evidence to defend your position and/or reduce the overall penalty. This includes expert evidence where applicable.
- Advise you at every investigation stage, ensuring your best interests and reputation are rigorously protected.
What is a regulatory body?
A regulatory body is an organisation or government agency responsible for overseeing and enforcing regulations and laws within a particular industry or sector. These bodies are established to ensure that businesses, organisations, and individuals comply with established rules and standards designed to protect the public interest, maintain fairness, and promote safety.
What can trigger a regulatory investigation?
Regulatory bodies conduct investigations based on various triggers and factors. The specific circumstances that prompt an investigation can vary depending on the industry or sector regulated. However, common factors that may lead to a regulatory body investigation include:
- Regulatory bodies often respond to complaints or reports from individuals, consumers, competitors, or other stakeholders. If someone raises concerns about potential violations or misconduct, the regulatory body may initiate an investigation to assess the validity of the claims.
- Regulatory bodies may conduct ongoing monitoring and surveillance of industries to identify potential issues or risks. This proactive approach helps ensure compliance with regulations and standards.
- Some regulatory bodies adopt a risk-based approach, focusing their resources on areas or entities with a higher likelihood of non-compliance or where public safety or welfare risks are more significant.
- In certain industries, such as the financial sector, entities are required to self-report any breaches or incidents that could impact regulatory compliance. Self-reporting is considered a responsible practice and may sometimes mitigate penalties.
- Individuals within an organisation or industry who witness wrongdoing may report such activities to the regulatory body. Whistleblower protections are often in place to encourage reporting without fear of retaliation.
- Regulatory bodies may conduct routine audits or inspections to ensure that businesses operate according to established regulations and standards. These audits can be scheduled or unannounced.
- Regulatory bodies may investigate emerging issues or events that have the potential to impact the industry. This could include new technologies, market developments, or changes in business practices.
- Information reported in the media, especially if it suggests regulatory violations or public harm, may prompt regulatory bodies to investigate and take appropriate actions.
It is important to note that the specific triggers for investigations can vary based on the regulatory framework of each industry. Regulatory bodies in the UK operate within the legal framework and statutes relevant to their specific domain, and their actions are guided by the need to protect the public interest and ensure compliance with established regulations.
How Reeds can help with Regulatory Law and Investigations
As one of the country’s most respected criminal law firms, we have an in-depth knowledge of both government and professional regulatory bodies. Furthermore, our Solicitors are highly respected by the investigators, who are fully aware that we will leave no stone unturned to protect the best interests of our clients.
Our team will tenaciously investigate your case and do everything possible to end your involvement in a regulatory investigation. If you are prosecuted or asked to attend a disciplinary hearing, we will work tirelessly to have the matter dropped before the hearing date. And if prosecution proves inevitable, we will advise you on entering your plea and tenaciously put forward relevant arguments to reduce the final penalty. Your case will be meticulously prepared, and if required, we can instruct the best Criminal Defence Barristers and King’s Council to represent you.
Our Regulatory Solicitors have the expertise and experience to advise and represent you in a regulatory investigation or professional discipline matter. Please get in touch with us through our contact page here. Alternatively, you can phone 0333 240 7373, or email us at info@reeds.co.uk.
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