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Liability for compliance violations?
Liability for violations of compliance is a complex and constantly evolving area of law, which is of great importance both in the national and international context. In recent years, the case law in Germany and the EU has identified liability risks for companies and their bodies (e.g. Managing Director, Executive Board members) in connection with compliance violations significantly intensified. Here's...
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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Compliance
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in compliance offers many advantages, but requires legal protection and strategic measures to address challenges. With concrete examples and the role of lawyers, the following picture emerges: 1. Data protection 2. Bias and discrimination 3. Transparency 4. Liability 5. Regulatory requirements 6. Whistleblowning 7. Ethics Summary of legal services...
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Risk in compliance law
By identifying and managing compliance risks appropriately, companies can not only avoid legal problems, but also strengthen stakeholder confidence and ensure long-term sustainability. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. The risk in compliance law relates to the possibility that a company or organisation violates applicable laws, regulations or internal guidelines. The...
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The Federal Cartel Office monitors and regulates competition
The Bundeskartellamt is an independent competition authority in Germany, which is responsible for enforcing antitrust law and monitoring competition. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. In the context of compliance rights, the Federal Cartel Office plays an important role as it obliges companies to comply with the applicable competition rules and not to commit antitrust infringements. Company...
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Excluding third-party risk
One way to identify, prevent, and ultimately reduce risks is to conduct risk-based due diligence audits on business partners. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. We're professionals. Use a first consultation with us. Systematic investigations and evaluations of Group companies are part of the prophylaxis of a company against compliance risks. Based on the results, risk management can be carried out....
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Can artificial intelligence (AI) help with compliance?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can effectively support compliance policies and regulations. Compliance refers to compliance with laws, regulations and company guidelines, and AI can help in various areas: Risk assessment: AI can analyze data and identify patterns to identify risks and breaches of compliance rules at an early stage. This allows companies to proactively take action...
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The IT compliance is legal
Just call us. We are happy to advise you. Legal, internal and contractual regulations prevail in the area of IT landscape. With the term IT compliance, we can describe compliance with the regulations in corporate management. Compliance in itself simply means that the applicable legal rules and recognized social values and norms within the framework of all corporate...
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External rules and one's own morality
If a misconduct generally contradicts one's own morality and that of the environment, this can prevent wrong conduct. Values and rules that are commonly used in a society form morality. People see moral action as just and agree with it. Purpose of morality In a society, ethical and moral values control the conduct of people's lives. Morality...
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Compliance Officer with Liability and Responsibility
With directors-and-officers insurance (directors-and-officers insurance, organ or manager liability insurance), a company can protect its compliance officer in the civil context. After all, the compliance officer is liable and responsible. A D&O insurance is a property liability insurance and belongs to professional liability insurance. The Chief Compliance Officer bears the highest liability risk. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. Insurance A D&O insurance includes a company for its institutions...
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First Compliance Steps of a Compliance Officer
The first compliance steps of a compliance officer include the establishment of a compliance management system. For some companies, compliance is something completely new and they are just familiar with taking first compliance steps. Other companies have already established a fully-fledged compliance management system. We're professionals. Use a first compliance consultation. Compliance Analysis The compliance officer first deals with...
One way to identify, prevent, and ultimately reduce risks is to conduct risk-based due diligence audits on business partners.
Rechtsanwalt Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M.
We're professionals. Use a first consultation with us.
Systematic investigations and evaluations of Group companies are part of the prophylaxis of a company against compliance risks. Risk management can be carried out on the basis of the results.
A company is not only liable for the behaviour of its own employees, but also for the behaviour of subsidiaries or business partners and suppliers. The limits of a company are softened by these connections. The expert speaks of a third-party risk arising from group companies, suppliers, subcontractors or joint venture companies.
We advise and support you on all compliance issues.
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First German EPPO convictions for participation in organized VAT crime
On 23 October 2026, the Düsseldorf Regional Court sentenced two parties to several years of imprisonment in the international tax fraud complex "Operation Goliath". According to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), these are the first convictions in a German EPPO case, in which a court found that the accused had participated in a criminal organisation. The case shows how tight...
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Antitrust proceedings: ECJ confirms acquisition by the EU Commission in respect of corporate restructuring
ECJ, Judgments of 1 October 2026, C-855/24 P (Crown Holdings) and C-845/24 P (Silgan Holdings) When the cartel investigation changes to the EU Commission Companies cannot rely on a trial that has been started at the Federal Cartel Office to be completed there. On 1 October 2026, the European Court of Justice confirmed that the European Commission had initiated antitrust proceedings under certain...
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Compliance 2026 – What you need to know today
Compliance law covers many areas. In 2026, compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a competitive factor. Key topics include: Data protection and IT compliance: As digitalisation progresses, companies must ensure that the processing of personal data is lawful. DSGVO obligations include, as well as secure data transmission, access rights, data retention and reporting requirements for data protection violations. Antitrust and competition law: companies...
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Common sense and compliance manual
Mr Weber holds the new compliance manual in his hands. Two centimeters thick, cleanly bound, full of references to guidelines, processes and responsibilities. He leaves, nods, sighs. "Actually logical, he thinks. And that's exactly where the story of common sense begins in everyday business. If rules explain everything, but don't prevent anything On Monday morning, Mr Weber is facing a decision...
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Overview of developments in compliance law 2025
2025 is characterized by accompanying regulations: Sustainability, digital security, AI governance and data protection are the focus. Those who create risk-oriented structures in good time and digitally anchored compliance minimize sanctions and increase reputation. Supply chain compliance & sustainability reporting The EU Deforestation Regulation will apply from 30 December 2025 – strict rules against illegal grubbing-up, and SMEs must also be careful. The Battery Ordinance (mandatory from 18 August 2025) and...
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Labour law judgments on compliance
Here are some current labour law judgments on compliance: 1. Arbeitsgericht Erfurt – Revoking discrediting statements File number: 4 Ca 1285/23Date: 13 March 2024 Facts: An employee of a company (Daimler Truck AG) sent an email to several people in the company, in which he accused a colleague of not complying with compliance rules. The accused employee saw himself in his...
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Liability for compliance violations?
Liability for violations of compliance is a complex and constantly evolving area of law, which is of great importance both in the national and international context. In recent years, the case law in Germany and the EU has identified liability risks for companies and their bodies (e.g. Managing Director, Executive Board members) in connection with compliance violations significantly intensified. Here's...
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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Compliance
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in compliance offers many advantages, but requires legal protection and strategic measures to address challenges. With concrete examples and the role of lawyers, the following picture emerges: 1. Data protection 2. Bias and discrimination 3. Transparency 4. Liability 5. Regulatory requirements 6. Whistleblowning 7. Ethics Summary of legal services...
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Incentives and sanctions as instruments
Incentives and sanctions are instruments used in compliance law to promote and ensure compliance with legal regulations, corporate guidelines and ethical standards. They serve to motivate employees and organisations to behave in accordance with the rules and to draw appropriate consequences in case of non-compliance. We are represented throughout Germany. Visit our headquarters and our branches....
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The Federal Cartel Office monitors and regulates competition
The Bundeskartellamt is an independent competition authority in Germany, which is responsible for enforcing antitrust law and monitoring competition. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. In the context of compliance rights, the Federal Cartel Office plays an important role as it obliges companies to comply with the applicable competition rules and not to commit antitrust infringements. Company...