Investigations and Whistleblowing Compliance

At Morais Leitão, our dedicated team provides expert internal investigations for businesses across multiple industries, both nationally and internationally. We assist organisations in preventing, detecting, and responding to compliance breaches, criminal or regulatory offences, and internal misconduct.

Whether arising from internal or external complaints (whistleblowing) or initiated proactively by the company, we ensure a thorough, legally compliant investigative process that mitigates risks and protects corporate integrity by gathering and analysing the necessary evidence. In the context of whistleblowing, we ensure appropriate monitoring of the process, protection of the whistleblower and compliance with applicable and very specific legislation in force in the EU and in Portugal.

Expertise and specialist resources

Our highly skilled investigation team combines legal expertise with advanced forensic analysis, e-discovery, and artificial intelligence tools. This allows us to conduct efficient reviews of extensive documentation, including emails, messaging platforms, and financial records.

We are also experienced in conducting interviews — applying the best methods from our extensive practice in witness examinations and courtroom hearings — ensuring that evidence is gathered ethically and strategically.

Tailored investigative approaches

In addition to analysing evidence and facts, our team excels at producing detailed risk analyses that are calibrated to follow the best legal and business practices. Each internal investigation includes an analysis that provides a risk assessment and, in addition, offers companies - on a confidential and non-binding basis - concrete proposals for action to eliminate or mitigate existing risks.

We have developed our own methodologies for conducting investigations, which can be combined: investigations aimed at reconstructing past facts (fact-finding investigations); and investigations aimed at identifying evidence and lines of defence (hypothesis-testing investigations).

Depending on the needs of the companies, we adapt the internal investigation to different possibilities:

• Internal investigations to follow up on internal or external complaints (whistleblowing), ensuring confidentiality and appropriate protection for the whistleblower.
• Internal investigations to anticipate and mitigate potential criminal and regulatory risks before they occur.
• Internal investigations in the context of ongoing criminal and administrative proceedings to establish facts and evidence and build lines of defence.
• Internal investigations to verify compliance with internal regulations, including corporate policies, rules of conduct and codes of ethics.

Commitment to legal excellence and compliance

At Morais Leitão, we uphold the highest standards of legal integrity, confidentiality, and compliance. Our investigations strictly adhere to international best practices and fundamental rights protections, ensuring:

• Lawful collection and analysis of evidence
• Confidentiality and whistleblower protection
• Compliance with data protection regulations
• Risk mitigation strategies for corporate security

Trusted by leading national and international organisations, our team delivers discreet, effective, and strategic investigation solutions.

Contact us to learn how our investigation experts can support your business.