HORAK RECHTSANWÄLTE · COMPLIANCE & LAW
Responsibility needs clear rules.
Compliance advice for businesses: understand legal risks, make informed decisions and respond effectively when problems arise.
PREVENTION · INVESTIGATION · REPRESENTATION
Legal certainty starts in everyday business.
A new distributor, an AI application, an employee report or an enquiry from a regulator: compliance matters wherever business decisions are made. horak Rechtsanwälte helps management and responsible teams understand the requirements and implement reliable procedures.
We combine commercial law with IT, technology and intellectual property protection. An engagement may cover a specific legal question, an internal investigation or support for your compliance organisation. The topics below lead directly to detailed guidance and practical examples.
LEGAL TOPICS
24 topics. Advice for your business.
01
Compliance management systems
Establish an appropriate system, clarify responsibilities and check the implementation in operation.
02
Compliance for SMEs
Practical rules for growing companies, manageable teams and concrete business risks.
03
Liability of responsible officers
Responsibility of management and board, delegation, control and possible compensation claims.
04
Whistleblower protection and reporting channels
Make reporting bodies legally, secure confidentiality and process reports in an orderly manner.
05
Internal investigations
Enlighten suspected cases, secure evidence lawfully and assess follow-up measures objectively.
06
Searches and regulatory authorities
Be prepared for unannounced measures and uphold the rights of the company.
07
Competition law
Check competitors' contacts, cooperations and distribution rules for antitrust risks.
08
Corruption and conflicts of interest
Treat invitations, commissions and conflicts of interest with clear clearances and controls.
09
Anti-money laundering and beneficial ownership
Clear mandatory status, business partners, economic beneficiaries and register details.
10
Sanctions and export controls
Check business partners, goods, technology and end-use prior to foreign business.
11
Supply chains and business partners
Distinguishing legal obligations and customer requirements; This is a risk-based assessment of partners.
12
Public procurement and self-cleaning
Detect exclusion risks and demonstrate the necessary remedy to clients in a comprehensible manner.
13
Data protection and IT security
Organise data processing, service providers and legal responses to security incidents.
14
AI compliance and the AI Act
Classify AI applications, review contracts and design responsible release processes.
15
Cyber Resilience Act
Legally classify digital products, vulnerability processes and manufacturer obligations.
17
Product compliance
Check product rolls, CE requirements and measures in the event of safety problems or recalls.
18
Trade secrets and know-how
Protect know-how through coordinated contractual, technical and organisational measures.
19
Software, licences and open source
Clear rights of use, components and licensing obligations before development, distribution or audit.
20
Employment law compliance
In this context, it is important to note that in order to achieve the objectives set out in the Directive, it is necessary to take account of the needs of the workers concerned.
21
Contracts and distribution
Match powers, partner contracts, clearances and control rights with the actual processes.
22
Environmental claims and sustainability
Legally check sustainability statements, evidence and seals prior to publication.
23
Acquisitions and investments
Consider compliance risks in due diligence, purchase contract and subsequent integration.
24
Corporate groups and international business
To coordinate group-wide rules, local responsibility and cross-border situations.
WORKING TOGETHER
From the first conversation to a reliable decision.
01 · clarifies concerns
We record facts, companies involved and deadlines. This enables the necessary scope of examination to be determined in a targeted manner.
02 · Vote
You will receive clarity about the order, documents, work results and remuneration. If necessary, we coordinate interfaces with internal experts.
03 · Follow implementation
Legal evaluation, draft contract or action plan will be useful for your decision. The follow-up will be based on the agreed mandate.
FROM BUSINESS PRACTICE
Four situations in which we start.
A reference to unclear payments
A company detects conspicuous broker bills. First, evidence and responsibilities are clarified and the scope of a legal investigation can then be determined.
A new AI system
A HR department wants to automatically evaluate applications. Function, data, participation rights and responsibility are examined together before introduction.
An important public mission
An earlier breach of the rules endangers the participation of tenderers. Exclusion grounds and conditions for self-cleaning are examined and possible measures are demonstrated in a comprehensible manner.
A product with a lack of safety
Several customers report the same technical error. Technical risk assessment, possible reporting obligations and customer information are coordinated.
Fictitious case constellations to illustrate our consulting topics.
NEWS
Compliance in 2026.
Our specialist contributions take up recurring decisions in the company: from annual planning to the use of AI to dealing with authorities. They explain examination questions, possible work steps and typical cases.
Searches 2026: Preparing reception, IT and management
On an unannounced official visit, employees need a short, achievable action plan. Clear contacts, factual documentation and the respect of the respective rights are crucial.
Cyber Resilience Act 2026: Organize Product Incidents and Notifications
Manufacturers of digital products need to work together on security incidents in both legal and technical terms. A prepared reporting process combines product knowledge, incident response and clear decisions.
AI-Compliance 2026: Controlled release of operational applications
An AI application can affect several legal areas at the same time. A release process must therefore consider the role, function, data and actual use.
CASE LAW
Decisions with meaning for your organization.
Judicial decisions show what is important for contracts, controls and operational procedures. Our classifications explain the respective case and its limits; the decision date remains explicitly recognisable.
BGH, 27.06.2024 · I ZR 98/23
Environmental advertising needs clear statements
The decision deals with the ambiguity of "climate neutral" and the necessary education in advertising. For today's campaigns, the UWG now in force must also be examined.
BAG, 17.10.2024 · 8 AZR 172/23
Targeting confidentiality clauses
Flat-rate confidentiality over all operational operations may go too far in the employment contract. Effective clauses and effective safeguards are important for companies.
BAG, 13.09.2022 · 1 ABR 22/21
Detect working time in a comprehensible way
The BAG deals with the recording of working hours and the right of initiative of the works council. The classification helps to distinguish between legal obligation and concrete operational design.
OUR FIRM
Economic law. Technology. Entrepreneurial view.
horak Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbH advises companies and organizations starting from its headquarters in Hanover. The combination of legal work and technical understanding is particularly relevant for data-driven business models, industrial products and valuable know-how.
We attach importance to clearly defined orders, understandable results and coordination with those responsible in the company. For cross-border issues, it is clarified which other legal systems and consultants should be involved.
Get to know the law firm → · Contact persons and working methods · Sectors and labour aids
Personal contacts for your business
Our team combines legal and patent experience with technical understanding. We shall coordinate the responsibility according to your request and the required field of expertise.
Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M.
Attorney Specialist in industrial property law Specialist in copyright and media law Adviser engineer
Julia Ziegeler
Attorney-at-law Specialist in intellectual property law Specialist in copyright and media law
Dipl.-Phys. Andree Eckhard
Patent Attorney European Trademark Attorney and Design Attorney
CONTACT
How can we help you?
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Information on the processing of your information can be found in our Data protection declaration. The question alone does not create a mandate. For current deadlines, please contact us by phone.