Dawn Raids – Guidelines for Managing an Unannounced External Investigation

Enforcement authorities in the UK are increasingly using unannounced searches, known as "dawn raids", to seize evidence during investigations. These raids target both domestic and commercial premises and are meant to shift power in favour of the authorities.

Dawn raids often serve as the first public notice of an ongoing investigation, potentially causing significant harm to businesses if not handled properly. During these raids, key individuals may be interviewed, cautioned, or even arrested. Coordinated raids across jurisdictions are common, sometimes attracting media attention.

Businesses should be prepared for dawn raids and understand their implications. Fieldfisher, with specialist teams in London and Europe, offers tailored advice for businesses to prepare for and manage dawn raids, covering legal, regulatory, litigation, tax, employment, and reputation concerns.

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With thanks to trainee Annabel Twose for assisting in drafting this article.