Eversheds Sutherland International is committed to maintaining the highest legal and ethical standards and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. We treat suspected wrongdoing very seriously and we encourage all colleagues, contractors, clients and third parties to speak up if they suspect any wrongdoing.
To this end Eversheds Sutherland International have introduced an independent whistleblowing reporting facility via Safecall which allows reports to be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via telephone or an online portal. This whistleblowing reporting facility provides a secure channel for reporting concerns. Reports can be made anonymously and in your chosen language.
Important Information
- The whistleblowing reporting facility applies to Eversheds Sutherland International only. Eversheds Sutherland International refers to Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and its respective controlled and managed entities. For more information about Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP’s controlled and managed entities, please see the Legal Notices page on our global website.
- The whistleblowing reporting facility is for reporting unlawful acts or omissions, danger, or wrongdoing which has occurred, or which is very likely to occur in Eversheds Sutherland International. There is a difference between whistleblowing, raising a grievance and making a complaint
- A grievance may be raised by an Eversheds Sutherland International colleague and usually relates to their work situation or individual circumstances. If you work for Eversheds Sutherland International and have any personal concerns regarding your situation or circumstances, please consult your local grievance policy (or equivalent) and/or speak to your local HR team.
- If you wish to make a complaint about the service you have received from Eversheds Sutherland International (e.g. as a client or other interested third party), please consider our complaints procedures which you can find on our complaints page here.
To make a whistleblowing report, please call 0800 915 1571 or choose your preferred language below to make an online report.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I be protected if I make a whistleblowing report?
- A whistleblower is entitled to protection if they have reasonable grounds to believe that an unlawful act or omission, or wrongdoing has occurred, is currently taking place or is likely to occur. Where this applies, Eversheds Sutherland International will provide protection to the whistleblower, as far as is reasonably possible, to ensure that there will not be any retaliatory action against the individual making the report and that the individual will not be treated less favourably as a result of the act of making the report. Where the individual is an Eversheds Sutherland International colleague or contractor, the act of making a report will not affect their internal prospects or career development.
- No Eversheds Sutherland International colleague may threaten or retaliate against an individual who has raised a concern and Eversheds Sutherland International will not tolerate any such harassment or victimisation. Any person involved in such conduct may be subject to disciplinary action. If a Whistleblower believes that they have been retaliated against for reporting or participating in an investigation, they should immediately report such perceived retaliation to the General Counsel & Chief Governance Officer of Eversheds Sutherland International. All such reports will also be investigated confidentially.
- Eversheds Sutherland International will treat all reports in a sensitive manner and ensure that the identity of any whistleblower remains confidential. The identity of the whistleblower will only be disclosed to the whistleblowing internal office and those persons responsible for investigating the concerns raised, unless required by law, by an order of a court or in order to report an offence to a law enforcement agency and/or misconduct to a regulatory body.
Can I make a report anonymously?
Eversheds Sutherland International encourage whistleblowers to put their name to any reports they make. However, anonymous allegations will not be ignored, particularly where they have credibility, raise serious issues and can be confirmed from reliable alternative sources.
What happens once a report has been made?
When a report is received the relevant Eversheds Sutherland International whistleblowing reporting office will check if it is a valid whistleblowing report and if it is, investigate the concerns raised and take any appropriate follow up measures required.
Where the whistleblower has provided their contact details, the Eversheds Sutherland International reporting office will:
1. Confirm receipt of the report to the whistleblower within 7 days;
2. Keep in contact with the whistleblower as to the progress of the investigation and request further information if and when required;
3. Provide feedback to the whistleblower on the progress of the investigation;
4. Report to the whistleblower on the outcome of the investigation.
Please note that we cannot provide any information which would infringe any duty of confidentiality owed to others, especially our clients. Please also note that external investigators may be instructed by Eversheds Sutherland International where appropriate.
For information on how Eversheds Sutherland International process your data, please see the Privacy Notice. For information on how Safecall process your data, please see the Safecall Privacy Notice. For Eversheds Sutherland International colleagues please see the relevant internal staff privacy notice for information on how your data is processed.