Law firm HFW has launched a team of experts to offer advice to businesses to navigate a range of urgent regulatory challenges.

The global regulatory response emergency service was launched in the wake of an increase in investigations and enforcement action taken by regulators in key business sectors, including shipping, commodities, insurance, aerospace, construction and energy.

As a part of the offering, the firm will have designated legal experts across its global network available for clients to contact both during and outside traditional business hours.

The service is available for businesses navigating critical regulatory challenges such as the immediate introduction of global sanctions amidst geopolitical conflicts, to economic crimes including bribery, money-laundering, fraud, tax evasion and sanctions offences, and to dawn raids connected to competition and antitrust matters.

It also offers advice on matters regarding investigations and enforcement action brought by market regulators and government authorities (including the FCA, PRA, OFGEM, HMRC, OFSI and SFO, as well as equivalent authorities in the US, EU, Australia, Switzerland and elsewhere).

The new initiative complements the firm’s pre-existing emergency response service for cyber-related crisis incidents, marine and offshore emergencies, and major incidents in hostile environments arising from casualties, war, terrorism, political risks and kidnappings.

Adam Topping, partner and global head of regulatory at HFW, said: “Many of our clients operate in highly regulated areas and are often required to meet urgent deadlines as a result of unexpected circumstances arising.

“In a regulatory landscape where we’re seeing an increase in enforcement action, investigations of individual firms and markets, alongside the swift implementation of sanctions, we’ve launched this service to ensure that clients feel supported and able to respond to sudden developments and inquiries.”