

Sanctions Investigations
Allen & Overy’s expert team advises on investigations relating to sanctions, international trade and investment compliance around the world.
Economic sanctions often evolve or are mandated at short notice, creating a challenge for companies wishing to ensure compliance. Violations can lead to substantial risks, including criminal liability, fines, penalties, loss of business and reputational harm. We support companies facing investigation or prosecution and those working to ensure adherence throughout their operations and in their transactions.
For companies facing sanctions investigation or prosecution, A&O’s experienced litigators, including many former government litigators, can defend and navigate proceedings in the EU, Asia, the Middle East and the U.S. We represent clients from a range of sectors, including advising:
- A global financial institution in relation to a criminal investigation conducted by the Belgian authorities into the alleged handling of Libyan assets in breach of UN, EU and US sanctions rules against Libya.
- A company active in the distribution of insulation materials on their compliance with anti-bribery, anti-corruption and international sanctions and embargoes from an EU and U.S. perspective.
- An international oil and gas major in relation to EU/U.S. sanctions litigation and investigation involving one of its Asian subsidiaries.
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Investigations Insight
News & insights

Publications: 06 JANUARY 2021
The EU adopts a new global human rights sanctions regime
In a much-anticipated move, on 7 December 2020, the Council of the European Union adopted a Council Decision and a Council Regulation establishing the EU’s global human rights sanctions regime (the…
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Publications: 30 DECEMBER 2020
Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) Enforcement Actions Trends and Tracker
The SFC's latest annual and quarterly reports highlight the SFC's regulatory work since April 2019 and illustrate some key trends in its enforcement agenda.
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Publications: 26 OCTOBER 2020
What can in-house legal, risk and compliance leaders learn from the Covid-19 pandemic and other notable crises of the past 20 years to strengthen the legal resilience of their organisations?
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Publications: 19 OCTOBER 2020
The FCA’s 5 conduct questions: Translating theory to practice
The FCA has published its “Five Conduct Questions” report for 2020, highlighting key observations and issues with respect to firms’ conduct and culture programmes
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