Corporate Investigations
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+27 11 269 7600About
Provided by ENS
Fraud and corruption pose a very serious risk to your business. Our dedicated forensics team, consisting of forensic lawyers, accountants, investigators, digital forensic experts and specialist fraud prosecutors, is highly skilled in complex, large-scale investigations into white collar crime across Africa and beyond, enabling us to assist you no matter where you do business.
Our multidisciplinary team has an excellent track record in achieving criminal convictions and internal dismissals resulting from forensic investigations and internal disciplinary proceedings. The high confession rate often results in our cases going to plea bargains, which in turn facilitates faster access to justice, as well as far greater recoveries.
With our in-house digital forensic capacity, we specialise in forensic computer imaging and e-discovery techniques. Our highly skilled data analysts and forensic investigators are trained in the latest analytical processes and forensic tools which allow us to easily identify fraud patterns and new trends through reviewing electronic evidence.
In addition, we offer extensive expertise in terms of anti-bribery compliance across Africa and provide a full suite of anti-corruption compliance support, including compliance advice, fact-finding investigations, due diligence screening, risk assessments, remediation and control review, control enhancements, training and monitoring to help you to ensure compliance and prevent corporate crime.
Chambers Review
ENS' corporate investigations team is highly regarded for its ability to handle significant forensic investigations, with particular proficiency in commercial crime investigations and anti-corruption concerns. The team is sought out for its counsel on the development and implementation of anti-bribery and anti-corruption training programmes. It maintains a strong track record for its work on behalf of eminent domestic and international clients, with longstanding experience assisting financial services players and government entities. The firm remains a frequent choice of counsel to public sector and parastatal bodies to conduct internal audits.
Work Highlights
- ENS acted for Puma Energy on its multi-jurisdictional anti-bribery compliance review to analyse related risks in the company following asset disposals.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is world class and provides an exceptional service when involved in any corporate investigation we have undertaken."
"ENS has an absolutely fantastic team with excellent quality reports and responsiveness."
"ENS is able to help us through and identify where the problems are. The team are very meticulous, get to the bottom of what we want and give us recommendations on how to strengthen the forensic investigations."
"ENS sets the benchmark."
"The team is world class and provides an exceptional service when involved in any corporate investigation we have undertaken."
"ENS has an absolutely fantastic team with excellent quality reports and responsiveness."
"ENS is able to help us through and identify where the problems are. The team are very meticulous, get to the bottom of what we want and give us recommendations on how to strengthen the forensic investigations."
"ENS sets the benchmark."
Notable Practitioners
Steven Powell is a leading lawyer in the field who is often instructed by clients to conduct forensic investigations into allegations of white-collar crime and fraud issues, as well as assisting with anti-corruption compliance. Based in Cape Town, his experience encompasses the representation of both public and private sector institutions.
"Steven Powell is world class and we would not do a corporate investigation without him."
"Steven Powell is the top forensic person in the country."
Suad Jacobs is a high-profile lawyer who possesses comprehensive expertise in the space, spanning issues such as procurement fraud, tender rigging and numerous other financial crimes and irregular practices. She has experience working for international companies operating in South Africa as well as public bodies.
"She always puts the customer first and she can tell you if something will not work."
"Suad Jacobs demonstrates a high service level and she is knowledgeable on the task at hand. She has a good understanding of commercial awareness and her work is on time."
Ranked Lawyers at
ENS
South Africa