HFW introduces Global Regulatory Response service amidst businesses facing heightened fraud enforcement

Global law firm HFW launches its Global Regulatory Response service for businesses in need of urgent advice on anti-fraud regulatory action, following the introduction of the corporate offence of “failure to prevent fraud”.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act has also broadened of the scope of individuals whose actions for a wide range of economic crimes (which include the substantive bribery, money-laundering, fraud, tax evasion and sanctions offences) can be attributed to a corporate.

With businesses facing the threat of regulatory investigations and dawn raids connected to these offences, HFW has launched its Global Regulatory Response service to ensure clients can access emergency legal advice from the firm’s global network if they find themselves facing new market regulations, unexpected investigations and enforcement action taken by regulators in key business sectors – shipping, commodities, insurance, aerospace, construction and energy.

As a part of the offering, the firm will have designated legal experts available for clients to contact both during and outside traditional business hours.

The service is available for businesses navigating a broad range of urgent regulatory challenges alongside heightened fraud risks, including:

investigations and enforcement action brought by market regulators and government authorities (including the FCA, PRA, OFGEM, HMRC, OFSI and SFO, as well as equivalent authorities in the US, EU, Australia, Switzerland and elsewhere).

the immediate introduction of global sanctions amidst geopolitical conflicts.

The Global Regulatory Response emergency service complements the firm’s pre-existing emergency response service for cyber-related crisis incidents, marine and offshore emergencies, and major incidents in hostile environments arising from casualties, war, terrorism, political risks and kidnappings.

Anne-Marie Ottaway, Partner, HFW:

“The introduction of the ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence marks a significant shift in corporate liability, with businesses now facing heightened scrutiny and potential exposure for the actions of individuals within their organisation.

Our Global Regulatory Response service ensures that clients have immediate access to specialist advice when it matters most – helping them navigate investigations, mitigate risk and protect their reputation in an increasingly complex enforcement landscape.”