RESOLVING HISTORIC CORRUPTION ISSUES
Members of our Chambers understand how easy it is for a company or investor to become ensnared by the activities of corrupt public officials operating in States where soliciting bribes is the norm and not the exception. Whether we like it or not, the commercial reality is that many states adopt and apply a ‘pay to play’ mentality and scheme, which lures otherwise innocent companies into criminal activity. Of course, most companies do not want to pay bribes, but to stay in business they feel that they have no other alternative than to do so. Our counsel know and appreciate that, as often as not, the playing field in certain troubled jurisdictions is simply not level.
The consequences, however, of giving way to bribe solicitations can be dire. Companies who discover that their employees, consultants or agents have put them at risk by paying bribes need to take action to avoid potential criminal investigations, prosecutions, national and/or international sanctions and inevitable reputational damage. By engaging barristers with extensive experience in the field, companies can deal confidently with historical and contemporary instances of corruption.
A company that regrets engaging in a corrupt practice or discovers that it has done so, can rely upon the services of barristers at Pavocat Chambers to assist them in getting out of trouble altogether or to reduce its exposure to law enforcement activities, as well as the sanctioning activities of international organisations, such as the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank Group.
Our expert team of counter-corruption professionals will discreetly investigate the corruption issue for the client company to determine its scope and application, and then, if necessary, seek to resolve the case in the most beneficial manner available. This may include, for example, brokering settlement or co-operating arrangements or seeking entry into voluntary disclosure programmes.
