Investigations & Public Enforcement
Cases involving accusations of financial mismanagement, fraud, bribery, money laundering, corruption or violations of international sanctions seriously disrupt a client's operations and damage their reputation. Houthoff’s Investigations & Public Enforcement practice group assists clients with criminal matters, administrative supervision and enforcement cases, and internal and external investigations. At a client’s request, we can conduct internal investigations, advise, litigate and negotiate with regulators and the Public Prosecution Service. Houthoff delivers swift solutions that address the underlying problems for urgent matters.
Our clients include national and international companies, their directors and supervisory directors, bankruptcy trustees and government bodies. Sometimes, our clients are injured by non-compliant conduct; sometimes they find themselves accused of the same.
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"We appreciate Houthoff's hands-on experience in both managing the client and executing a proper investigation. The team is committed and very responsive."Chambers Europe, White-Collar Crime & Corporate Investigations (2025 Edition) -
Ranked in Tier 2Legal 500, Fraud And White-Collar Crime (2025 Edition)
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“One client mentioned that 'The team at Houthoff understand the specific commercial challenges of its clients very well'.”Chambers Europe, White-Collar Crime & Corporate Investigations (2024 Edition)
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"A client highlights that the team 'is easy to interact with and provides swift responses.'"
Chambers Europe, White-Collar Crime & Corporate Investigations (2023 Edition) -
"One client says: 'The team is knowledgeable and quick at responding to any query.'"
Chambers Europe, White-Collar Crime & Corporate Investigations (2023 Edition) -
"A client mentions: 'I think that all the lawyers working there are very nice, all are very practical and great to work with.'"
Chambers Europe, White-Collar Crime & Corporate Investigations (2023 Edition) -
RecommendedChambers Europe, White-Collar Crime & Corporate Investigations (2023 Edition)
At Houthoff, we have extensive experience handling commercially and politically sensitive cases. We know that a good solution requires not only thorough research and top-quality legal advice, but also superior strategic insight. Our excellent relationships with regulators enable us to minimise the impact of an investigation. Where necessary, we will enter constructive discussions on out-of-court settlements. Houthoff assembles multidisciplinary teams for such complex cases, whose respective areas of expertise are fully aligned to the nature and subject of the investigation.
As a full-service firm, we have specialists on criminal law, supervision and enforcement, international sanctions, compliance, corporate governance, privacy, employment law and procurement law at our immediate disposal. Thanks to Houthoff's strong network of foreign ‘friends’ firms, international specialists can easily be engaged for cross-border investigations. Our wide-ranging, high-quality litigation practice ensures that assistance of the very highest standard is always provided in all conceivable follow-up proceedings.
Houthoff has been involved in different high-profile investigations by national and international investigative bodies and regulators, and in all recent parliamentary inquiries. Although information on recent cases is often printed in the media, for example as part of an agreement with the regulator, we never disclose such information because of our belief that absolute confidentiality is essential.
