Political Affairs

We have significant experience advising politicians, senior professionals and others operating at the highest levels of political and public life.

Our work spans high-profile:

• Advice relating to political donations
• Criminal and regulatory investigations
• Defamation and privacy matters
• Select Committee appearances

We have particular recent expertise advising on matters concerning political donations, campaign finance and political funding, including the potential criminal, regulatory and reputational issues that can arise. We advise donors, recipients and other individuals and organisations involved in the political process on compliance and disclosure obligations and provide representation where donations or funding arrangements become the subject of regulatory scrutiny, police investigation or publicity.

We work with clients who appear before Select Committees. We regularly assist with evidence gathering before an appearance, communications with the Select Committee and generally advise the client to help protect their position.  We will also attend Select Committee hearings with the client.

Matters of this type related to political affairs can attract public or media attention, whether as a result of a high-profile person being involved or the subject matter of the investigation drawing an individual into the public eye. In these cases, our reputation and privacy specialists will support in managing risk from the outset, protect our clients’ interests and provide clear strategic advice throughout an investigation, hearing, inquest or inquiry and beyond. Where appropriate, we can obtain input on the related issues from external communication and strategy advisers.

If the circumstances require, our lawyers are supported by external consultants with experience at the centre of government and an intimate understanding of the workings of Westminster. This combination of legal expertise and political insight enables us to provide advice that considers not only the immediate legal issues, but also the wider political, reputational and communications implications.