External counsel investigations
At Kromann Reumert, we have substantial experience in conducting external counsel investigations for both private companies and public organisations.
In any company or organisation, issues can arise – including suspicions of irregularities – that create a need for an external investigation. It may be the day-to-day management, the board of directors or the owners who need to have the issues clarified by someone other than the employees.
An external counsel investigation necessitates decisions on many questions of a diverse nature, and it is therefore crucial that the investigation is carried out by lawyers with investigative experience and expertise.
Our advice
At Kromann Reumert, we have many years of experience in conducting external counsel investigations, both ordinary and independent, and we are therefore in a position to gather a competent and resourceful team of experts who can ensure an effective and due process for everyone involved.
Our assistance covers all stages of the investigation process, including drafting of the mandate of the investigation, setting up of IT solutions for data collection purposes, reporting, publishing of the results of the investigation, and handling of GDPR-relevant issues, etc:
- Drafting of the mandate
- Collection, structuring and description of information, including setting up of a reporting system for that purpose
- Assessment of evidential value of the information received
- Analysis and assessment of facts in a legal context
- Preparation of a report containing process description, facts of the case, and – if agreed as part of the assignment – a legal assessment as well as conclusion/recommendation
- Reporting
- Considerations regarding full or partial disclosure
- Compliance with privacy rules
Download our insight on external counsel investigations, in which you can read more about the considerations that should be made when initiating an external counsel investigation, about the process, and about our advice and assistance when conducting external counsel investigations.
High-profile cases
While the majority of the external counsel investigations conducted by us remain confidential, there have been cases where our involvement has been disclosed to the public, including:
- In 2023, we conducted an external counsel investigation for the Danish Trade Union Confederation regarding allegations of abusive behaviour by a former chairman.
- In 2020-2021, we conducted an independent external counsel investigation for the City of Copenhagen regarding allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a former Lord Mayor.
- In 2020-2021, we conducted an external counsel investigation for a Danish municipality regarding alleged wrongful and possibly criminal offences committed in a social-housing organisation where the former executive officer was summarily dismissed and charged with embezzlement.
- In 2019, we conducted an external counsel investigation for a major Danish craftsman and industrial enterprise, which revealed that a small group of employees had purchased, among other things, mobile phones and had passed them on to non-executive employees of a government customer. The external counsel investigation resulted in summary dismissal of the employees involved. One of the dismissed employees challenged the dismissal in court, but without success.
- In 2017-2018, we conducted an external counsel investigation of Danish Homeowners' Insurance Agency, which had been mandated by the Danish Folketing in connection with the Agency's bankruptcy.
Our team
Do you have any questions regarding the process of an external counsel investigation? If you are considering whether it would be appropriate to initiate an investigation or if you need assistance in conducting an investigation, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Contact
Content from the practice area
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ArticleIn case of suspicion of serious irregularities in an organisation, it may be necessary to arrange a thorough investigation by external lawyers.
