Regulatory & Confidential Investigations

Collins Chambers represents individuals and organisations under investigation by ASIC, AUSTRAC, the Australian Taxation Office, the ACCC, IBAC, and other Commonwealth and Victorian regulatory and integrity agencies.

Much of this work is conducted before any charge is laid — and much of it concludes without charge, which is frequently the objective.

Regulatory investigation places its subject in an unfamiliar position: compelled to answer, constrained in what may be disclosed, and uncertain of the investigation’s direction or scope. The legal framework governing compulsory examination, derivative use of compelled evidence, and secrecy obligations is technical and unforgiving. Errors made early — an ill-judged answer in examination, a document produced without privilege review, a public statement made under pressure — are difficult to repair.

The firm’s work in this area includes advising and appearing at compulsory examinations, responding to notices to produce and search warrants, managing legal professional privilege across large document productions, advising on secrecy and disclosure obligations (including what may be said to employers, boards, insurers, and family), and negotiating with investigating agencies on scope, timing, and resolution.

Discretion is a condition of this work, not a feature of it. Engagements are conducted with strict confidentiality from the first contact. Where a client’s professional position requires that an investigation remain unknown to others, the firm’s processes are built to that requirement.

The firm acts for individuals in their personal capacity, including where their interests diverge from those of their employer — a common and consequential circumstance in regulatory matters. Advisers referring clients in this position are encouraged to make contact before the client’s first scheduled interaction with the agency.