When an allegation, whistleblowing report or regulatory concern arises in a Saudi operation, the first decisions affect evidence, employment measures, reporting and the positions of both the company and individuals. Nasser Fahed Al-Shahrani provides Saudi-law advice and representation for sensitive corporate crime and internal investigation matters.
Legal analysis and representation in corporate crime matters
When a company receives a misconduct report or an individual faces an allegation, the engagement defines the legal questions, work required and deliverables.
Assessing the facts and responsibility
We review the available records, transactions and decision-making authority in light of the client’s role. You receive an initial legal assessment identifying the key issues, evidence gaps and available options, within the agreed scope.
Internal investigations
For companies seeking to understand suspected misconduct, we conduct or review a defined internal investigation. You receive a report distinguishing supported findings from unresolved questions, with legal options to inform the next decision.
Recovery of rights and defence
We represent affected companies in pursuing their rights, or defend individuals facing allegations, subject to a separate engagement and conflict checks. The agreed work may include legal submissions and representation through the relevant stages of proceedings and enforcement.
Who this service is for
Saudi-law support across the investigation
- Immediate response. Define the allegation, contain continuing risk and preserve relevant paper and digital evidence.
- Investigation design. Set a proportionate mandate, governance structure, reporting line, interview plan and evidence protocol.
- Legal characterisation. Assess whether the facts may engage fraud, breach of trust, forgery, bribery, money laundering, capital market or other Saudi laws.
- Decision support. Advise on employment measures, reporting, cooperation, private-right claims, remediation and communications.
- Representation. Act before competent Saudi authorities and courts where the matter proceeds beyond the internal investigation.
Company and individual representation require clear separation
The interests of the company, directors, executives and employees may diverge. Each proposed engagement is assessed for conflicts before representation begins. Acting for the company does not automatically mean acting for an individual witness or subject, and coordinated defence does not remove the need for independent judgment.
Working with international counsel
Saudi local-counsel support can be integrated into a wider investigation led by a global legal or compliance team. The workstream can include Saudi-law scoping, review of locally held evidence, interview support, bilingual legal analysis, procedural strategy and coordination with forensic, audit and technology specialists. Roles, confidentiality expectations and deliverables should be recorded at the outset.
Request a paid consultation from outside Saudi Arabia
An English-language consultation can begin with a preliminary review of agreed documents, a meeting and a concise written summary of options, missing information and the next step. We first identify the client and other parties, check conflicts and agree scope, fees and meeting arrangements. Internal investigations, settlements, complaints and representation are separate engagements where needed.
Begin with a controlled factual brief
For an initial assessment, identify the Saudi entity and your role, the allegation, when it was discovered, the people and systems involved, current preservation steps, any contact from an authority and the next procedural deadline. Avoid sending unnecessary personal or confidential data before the engagement and secure channel are confirmed.
Official Saudi sources
Request a defined engagement
An engagement may cover a targeted file review, an internal investigation, company representation or an individual defence. The proposal identifies the client, work stages, deliverables, fees and payment schedule.
Can you review an existing investigation?
A separate review can examine the mandate, evidence, interviews and findings, and identify work that needs to be completed before the next decision.
Which matters can you discuss with the office?
Corporate fraud, employee embezzlement, internal investigations, money laundering, bribery, forgery and related criminal proceedings. Identify your role, the current stage and the next deadline in your initial enquiry.