On 10 April, Karanović & Partners hosted a panel discussion, welcoming in-house counsel, HR and compliance professionals, and company executives for an in-depth look at internal investigations—from launch to resolution.
The event was moderated by our Partner Goran Radošević, who opened the session by reflecting on the transformative nature of internal investigations, especially under the influence of global compliance regimes like the FCPA and UK Bribery Act. He introduced our team’s multidisciplinary approach and welcomed the expert panel, which consisted of Partners Milica Filipović (Anti-corruption & Data Protection), Bojan Vučković (Competition), and Andrej Jelenković (Litigation & White Collar Crime), and Senior Associate Milijana Tomić (Employment).
Setting the stage for the discussion, Milijana Tomić spoke about how investigations usually begin: often with an internal report or whistleblower complaint. She shed light on how companies identify potential issues and what challenges arise when employment law is involved.
Milica Filipović followed with a look at the boundaries of privacy compliance during investigations. She addressed when and how companies can lawfully access employee emails or analyse GPS data while staying compliant with GDPR and local privacy laws.
As investigations often bring unexpected reputational exposure, Andrej Jelenković reflected on the ways companies react. He highlighted how legal and business interests can collide and how an experienced counsel can help companies resolve that dichotomy strategically.
Adding to this, Bojan Vučković noted that investigations often uncover more than expected, especially competition law violations. He described typical patterns seen in practice, such as unlawful coordination between competitors or inappropriate information sharing.
As the discussion shifted toward methodology, the panellists examined how companies gather and analyse information. Labour-related investigations often face skepticism from local courts and labour inspections, requiring even greater diligence in evidence collection. Digital tools are commonly used to process large volumes of employee data while maintaining legal integrity throughout the process.
The panel concluded with a forward-looking discussion on company liability and the potential pros and cons of voluntary self-reporting to different authorities. The speakers explored both the legal and strategic impact of these decisions while addressing the competition law perspective and cooperation with Serbia’s Commission for the Protection of Competition. They closed the session by highlighting how to structure investigation outcomes so they can be used effectively in employment decisions, particularly in disciplinary procedures.
After the discussion, guests stayed to enjoy other experts’ company, making the most of the opportunity to connect and exchange experiences.
We thank all participants for their engagement and thoughtful questions. Internal investigations are a complex but essential part of corporate risk management, and we are glad to have created a space for open conversation, practical insights, and shared learning.
Partner and Senior Associate refer to Independent Attorney at Law in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners.
The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any particular matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.
