Business, Financial and Environmental Criminal Law
Comprehensive Legal Support for Companies and Individuals – from Prevention to Defence
In the course of day-to-day business activities, companies, managing directors, shareholders and other decision-makers are often confronted with issues that may give rise to criminal liability and potentially jeopardise business operations. Our team advises and represents clients across the entire spectrum of business criminal law (white-collar crime), including financial criminal law, corruption-related offences and environmental criminal law, helping them navigate complex investigations and proceedings.
Competent criminal defence and representation for Individuals and Businesses
As criminal defence lawyers, we represent and advise our clients throughout every stage of criminal proceedings, from the initial assessment of suspected criminal conduct to the final resolution of the case. In addition to defending individuals, we represent companies in matters involving corporate criminal liability (Verbandsverantwortlichkeit) and advise businesses that have suffered losses as injured parties in criminal proceedings.
Contact our team of experts today!
Your benefits: Our Areas of Expertise:
| Business criminal Law | Advice and defence in relation to allegations of white-collar crime |
| Financial Criminal Law | Assessment and defence in financial criminal proceedings and tax-related offences |
| Environmental Criminal Law | Advice and legal representation in criminal proceedings concerning environmental offences |
| Anti-Corruption Law | Support in relation to corruption allegations and compliance measures |
Criminal law is closely linked to tax law, corporate law, accounting law, banking and financial markets law, as well as commercial administrative law. We therefore provide legally and tax-efficient solutions in close cooperation with the experts at LeitnerLeitner.
In addition to traditional white-collar crime matters, environmental criminal law has become increasingly important as a result of stricter European regulatory requirements. We assist our clients both in implementing preventive measures and in responding effectively when investigations or proceedings arise.
Our services and key areas at a glance
- Representation of individuals and organisations in matters involving corruption, fraud, breach of trust, bankruptcy offences, tax evasion and environmental offences at all stages of proceedings
- Legal assistance in connection with coercive measures such as seizures of data storage devices, bank account openings, searches, telephone surveillance or pre-trial detention
- Legal support and representation during interviews and examinations by authorities
- Training programmes for management and employees
- Preparation of criminal complaints and statements of facts to the public prosecutor’s office
- Representation of injured parties and private claimants within criminal proceedings
- Advice in mutual legal assistance proceedings
- Preparation of legal opinions
FAQ
White-collar, fiscal and environmental criminal law comprises criminal offences arising in connection with business and economic activities. It applies to both companies and individuals and covers a broad spectrum of offences, ranging from traditional white-collar crimes such as fraud, breach of trust and corruption, to financial offences (e.g. tax evasion) and environmental crimes involving violations of environmental protection laws.
White-collar criminal law typically concerns criminal offences committed in a business or corporate context, for example fraud, embezzlement or corruption. Financial criminal law primarily focuses on violations relating to taxes, customs duties and other fiscal obligations, including tax evasion and related offences.
White-collar and financial criminal law become relevant whenever criminal allegations arise in connection with business activities. This may involve accusations of fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, corruption, accounting irregularities or tax offences. Investigations and proceedings can affect companies, managing directors, board members, executives, employees and private individuals alike.
Tax assessment proceedings are aimed at determining the correct tax liability and may result in additional tax assessments or repayments. Financial criminal proceedings, by contrast, examine whether a person has engaged in conduct that constitutes a criminal tax offence, including whether the relevant actions were committed intentionally or negligently. Such proceedings can lead to penalties including substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment.
An environmental violation may give rise to criminal liability where the relevant elements of an environmental criminal offence are fulfilled under applicable law. This is typically the case when the conduct goes beyond a mere administrative infringement and involves significant environmental harm, a concrete risk to public health or the environment, or intentional or grossly negligent misconduct.
Environmental criminal law is gaining importance due to increasingly stringent European and national regulatory requirements. Companies are facing growing criminal liability risks in areas such as waste management and disposal, environmental reporting and documentation obligations, the storage and handling of hazardous substances, emissions compliance, water pollution prevention, permit and licensing requirements for industrial facilities and the management of environmental incidents and accidents.
Under Austrian law, organisations may be held liable for criminal offences committed by their decision-makers or employees (corporate criminal liability – Verbandsverantwortlichkeit). Such liability may result in significant financial penalties.
In the context of criminal investigations, authorities may order coercive measures such as searches, seizures or confiscations. These measures are primarily intended to locate and secure evidence and, depending on the circumstances of the case, to provisionally secure assets. In particular, business premises, private residences, data storage devices and documents may be searched or seized.
Glossary
- Compliance Measures
Internal policies, procedures and organisational measures implemented by organisations to prevent legal violations and economic crime
- Financial Criminal Code (FinStrG)
The Austrian statutory framework governing financial offences, such as tax evasion, smuggling and other violations of fiscal law.
- Financial Criminal Authority
The competent authority responsible for conducting financial criminal proceedings under Austrian law.
- Financial Criminal Proceedings
Criminal proceedings conducted against individuals or companies for alleged violations of the Austrian Financial Criminal Code (FinStrG).
- Criminal Defence
The legal representation of suspects or defendants in criminal proceedings to safeguard their rights.
- Environmental Offences
Criminal offences arising from breaches of environmental laws, such as the illegal disposal of waste or water pollution.
- White-collar crime (Business Criminal Law)
The area of criminal law dealing with business-related offences, including fraud, bribery, corruption and breach of trust.