Dawn raids, searches and seizures, information requests and inspection visits: whatever the authorities choose to call it, an unannounced visit is intrusive and requires an immediate response.
Why early legal support matters
A controlled, well-informed response from the outset protects your business, your employees and your legal position. Companies are expected to cooperate with the authorities but must equally ensure that their rights are respected and that employees respond appropriately to requests for information. Having experienced legal counsel on site from the start makes the difference: it helps you navigate the situation with clarity and confidence, turning insight into timely, decisive action, and ensures guidance is available immediately and throughout the inspection.
Different authorities, different rules
Companies across all sectors may face inspections, searches or information requests from different authorities, each operating under its own legal framework. Depending on your business activities, you may be dealing with competition, sector-specific regulatory or criminal enforcement authorities at national or European level, each exercising different powers and pursuing different enforcement objectives. That requires a tailored legal response, grounded in the specific regulatory context in which your business operates.
Immediate support across the Benelux
Our team has extensive, hands-on experience supporting companies across the Benelux and beyond, providing immediate on-site assistance in all types of inspections, including investigations by the Authority for Consumers and Markets and the European Commission. As one integrated Benelux team, with offices in Amsterdam, Brussels and Luxembourg, we deploy the right experts at short notice and provide coordinated support wherever your company needs it, in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg or across borders.
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Work highlights
- Assisting a company in the Port of Rotterdam during a search by the ACM and during the follow-up process (including assisting senior management during the initial interviews, monitoring the disclosure of information to the ACM, and coordinating contacts with the ACM);
- Assisting an international oil company during a search conducted as part of a multi-jurisdictional investigation into foreign bribery allegations. We supervised the search, including protecting privileged materials originating from in-house lawyers and others, and provided support during the follow-up process.
- Assisting a German-based biscuit manufacturer during a search by the Luxembourg competition authority, and during the follow-up process. The follow-up process led to internal audits being carried out at the Belgian and Luxembourg business units and a request for leniency being filed with the Luxembourg authority.
- Drafting tailormade dawn raid protocols and safeguards for various companies across the Benelux.
- Customised practical and onsite dawn raid training courses for various companies across the Benelux in preparation for searches or inspections, including tailormade mock dawn raid sessions.
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What others say
- "The lawyers take a thoughtful and big-picture approach, are highly skilled and are a pleasure to work with.” Chambers, 2026
- "The team provides an exceptional level of service. It is highly recommended for its ability to flawlessly execute and for its pragmatic matter management.” Chambers, 2026
- "A strong team that is pleasant to work with. I felt in very safe hands.” Legal 500, 2025
- “During the whole process the team has done an excellent job. The team has helped us all, in particularly to defending multiple interrogations.”
Specific services
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One team for all your needs
Our integrated team is what makes us the right partner for the full course of an investigation. Investigations rarely follow a predictable path: what starts as a competition law matter may develop into a broader regulatory or criminal investigation, and vice versa. Because our team combines expertise in competition law, corporate investigations and criminal enforcement, we help clients anticipate how a matter may evolve and adapt their approach accordingly, without needing to bring in a different adviser along the way. We provide coordinated advice throughout the entire lifecycle of an investigation, regardless of how it develops or which authority is involved.
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Preparing for a dawn raid
No company wants to be confronted with a dawn raid. However, investigations and inspections cannot always be avoided. The most effective dawn raid response, therefore, starts long before the authorities arrive. We help clients prepare through training, practical response protocols and tailored guidance for key personnel.
In the event of an inspection, clients can rely on a dedicated dawn raid hotline, providing immediate access to experienced legal counsel.
