Support during searches and investigative actions
Lawyers travel to a search without delay, monitor the lawfulness of the investigators' actions, record breaches and protect documents and equipment from unjustified seizure. Afterwards we challenge search warrants and recover the seized property.
Why PROCTOR
A search is one of the most critical stages of criminal proceedings, because it is at that moment that the law enforcement authorities gain access to documents, servers, electronic media, trade secrets and the internal business processes of the company.
The PROCTOR team treats a search as a crisis that requires immediate legal management.
We do not merely ensure that a lawyer is present during the investigative action. At the same time we coordinate the work of the management of the company, the responsible employees, the IT specialists, the security service and other departments.
Once the search is over we immediately assess whether the seizure of property was lawful, the prospects of recovering it, the risk of assets being frozen, of further investigative actions and of a possible notice of suspicion.
This approach minimises the consequences of the search for the day to day operations of the company.
How support during a search runs
From the call at the reception desk to the return of the seized documents and equipment, with every breach recorded.
01
The call and the trip
We take the call around the clock and travel to the address. Until counsel arrives we instruct the staff by phone: who may enter, what to sign and how to behave.
02
Checking the grounds
On site we study the investigating judge ruling: the deadline, the address and the list of items that may be searched for. If the investigators go beyond it, we record that.
03
Control over the search
We are present at every step: we watch the inspection of the premises, prevent the unjustified seizure of equipment and documents and require a detailed list of what is taken.
04
Remarks in the protocol
We enter written remarks about breaches: no attesting witnesses, pressure on staff, seizure outside the list. This is the ground for having the evidence ruled inadmissible.
05
Appeal and return of property
We prepare a complaint against the search ruling and a motion for the return of what was taken. We recover original documents, servers and equipment the business needs to work.
Formats of support for investigative actions
The format depends on whether counsel is needed once, or the company wants to be ready in advance.
Attendance at a search
Counsel arrives for a specific investigative action, monitors its lawfulness and enters remarks in the protocol. You receive copies of the procedural documents and a written debrief.
The search and its aftermath
Attendance plus the work that follows: a complaint against the ruling, a motion for the return of seized items and support during the questioning of staff that comes next.
Standing readiness for a search
A protocol of action for the staff, training, a duty line to a lawyer around the clock and attendance at any investigative action for the whole term of the retainer.
