Haavind has long experience in assisting private and public enterprises in their ventures and undertakings, including investigations and other examinations of potentially censurable circumstances. The Investigation area of expertise supplements all of Haavind’s areas of expertise. The lawyers in this area of expertise have substantial experience in investigation and examination assignments. The assignments range from extensive investigations to various preliminary examinations etc.
Investigations and examinations provide private and public clients with important knowledge, knowledge that will normally influence their choice of alternative courses of action. The Investigation area of expertise identifies and evaluates the various aspects of a case to ensure the best possible basis for making a decision. Often advice is also desired on how various types of cases should subsequently be handled.
Experience shows that reliable investigations and examinations often lead to internal and external improvements for the client, while whoever is investigated finds the process to be reassuring. Hearing both sides and thoroughness are prerequisites for our investigations, where the primary objective is to clarify matters rather than judge or please certain parties. Assignments are conducted with respect for the requirement of a satisfactory working environment, and the impact on any employees that are affected is reduced as much as possible. Properly conducted investigation and examination assignments are apt to protect and strengthen the client’s reputation.
There are few restrictions on what the topic of an investigation and examination assignment can be. In practice, however, the cases will typically concern censurable circumstances and/or censurable routines in an enterprise. Examples of circumstances where an investigation is desired include:
- legality of transactions and new issues, including whether the company’s guidelines have been followed;
- whether business secrets or inside information have been misused;
- an employee’s performance of duties, breach of loyalty or trust;
- whether there has been any misappropriation of funds etc.;
- whether the working environment is satisfactory, or whether harassment or bullying has taken place at the worksite;
- actions performed in connection with restructuring, insolvency or bankruptcy
- management, operational and economic issues generally, for co-operative housings and co-operative building societies; and
- factual matters where clarification is desired, prior to entering into an agreement or hiring personnel, for example.
Haavind has a network of partners who can assist and supplement our expertise in the area.