REPUTATION AND REGULATORY DISPUTES

PROTECTED DISCLOSURES

Strategic advice for individuals, senior employees, office-holders and organisations dealing with protected disclosures, whistleblowing concerns and related employment, governance or reputational issues.

WHEN SHOULD LEGAL ADVICE BE SOUGHT?

Legal advice should be sought where a protected disclosure has been made, is being considered, or has triggered concerns about retaliation, disciplinary action, internal investigation, governance or reputational consequences.


These matters can involve overlapping employment, regulatory, data protection and reputational issues. Early advice can help clarify rights, obligations, procedure and strategy before positions become entrenched.

KEY ISSUES IN PROTECTED DISCLOSURES

  • Whether a disclosure qualifies for legal protection
  • Internal and external reporting channels
  • Retaliation or penalisation concerns
  • Disciplinary or performance processes following a disclosure
  • Internal investigations
  • Confidentiality and data protection
  • Governance and board-level issues
  • Regulatory reporting
  • Reputational risk
  • Settlement and dispute resolution

How o'Regan little solicitors llp can help

Our solicitors advise individuals, employees, office-holders and organisations on the legal and strategic issues arising from protected disclosures.


We assist with assessing whether a disclosure is protected, advising on reporting routes, responding to alleged retaliation or penalisation, managing internal investigations and dealing with overlapping employment, governance, regulatory and reputational issues.


Our focus is on protecting the client’s legal position while managing the wider practical and reputational consequences of the matter.

Representative experience

Our solicitors' experience includes:


  • Advising individuals on protected disclosure and whistleblowing issues.
  • Advising on alleged retaliation or penalisation following a disclosure.
  • Advising senior office-holders on governance and internal complaint processes.
  • Advising on protected disclosures involving regulatory concerns.
  • Advising on related employment, data protection and reputational issues.
  • Advising on strategy where multiple complaints or proceedings overlap.

frequently asked questions

What is a protected disclosure?

A protected disclosure is a disclosure of information that may qualify for legal protection where the relevant statutory requirements are met.


Can an employee be penalised for making a protected disclosure?

Legal protections may apply against certain forms of penalisation where a qualifying protected disclosure has been made.


Can protected disclosures involve regulators?

Yes. Depending on the circumstances and subject matter, disclosures may be made through internal channels or to appropriate external bodies.


Can data protection issues arise?

Yes. Protected disclosure matters often involve personal data, investigation records, access requests and confidentiality issues.


Should an organisation investigate a protected disclosure?

Appropriate procedures should be followed, taking account of the nature of the disclosure, the applicable legal framework and the rights of those involved.

discuss PROTECTED DISCLOSURE MATTER

If you require advice on a protected disclosure, whistleblowing concern, alleged retaliation or related governance or employment issue, speak with O’Regan Little Solicitors LLP.

relevant contacts and practice areas

Darragh O'Doherty - Fergus O'Regan


Reputation, Governance and Regulatory Disputes - Employment Law 

Data Protection Disputes - Senior Executive and Office-Holder Disputes

Regulatory and Reputational Risk - Litigation and Dispute Resolution