The Board’s Guide to Internal Investigations

Directors are increasingly expected to take personal responsibility for how a company responds to allegations of wrongdoing. This handbook explains the decisions a board must take, and the order in which to take them, when a credible concern comes to light.

It covers the appointment of an independent committee, the selection of counsel and forensic specialists, the preservation and review of documents, the conduct of interviews and the protection of legal privilege. Each chapter closes with a short checklist for board papers and minutes.

The guide ends with the questions that arise when an investigation concludes: whether and how to report to the authorities, how to remedy weaknesses in controls, and how to explain the outcome to employees, shareholders and others with a legitimate interest.